Tiny and Efficient –- the Olfa 18mm Rotary Cutter
Written: Dec 27 '04
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: sharp steel blade edge, comfortable to hold, ideal for cutting curves
Cons: be careful not to cut yourself on the sharp blade
The Bottom Line: I centered the Bottom Line on my cutting board and used this Olfa cutter to cut intricate curlicues and curves around it.
|
|
|
| dlstewart's Full Review: Olfa (RTY-4) 18MM Rotary Cutter 9657 |
Olfa rotary cutters have proven their worth to me. So last year, when I saw the newest rotary cutter with its tiny round blade, I had to have it. The Olfa 18mm Rotary Cutter goes where the larger rotary cutters cannot.
Description
Like the other size Olfa Rotary Cutters, this one is the standard design with a round razor blade at the end of a bright yellow handle. The most noticeable difference, besides the smaller blade, is the handle is in the shape of a long wedge. The widest part of the wedge is at the base of the blade, and the handle narrows to a tapered rounded end. Overall, the Olfa 18mm rotary cutter measures 5 1/2" long x 3/4" wide x 3/8" deep. At the end of the handle, opposite from the razor blade, is a hole so that one can hang the cutter if desired (or thread it on a chain or tie a piece of fabric or ribbon through the hole for identification).
The round razor blade is made from tungsten carbide tool steel. Olfa states that their blades are “the longest lasting blades in the business”. The round blade is small at 3/4" diameter. This blade attaches differently than the other Olfa cutters. There is no screw or separate washer. On the back of the cutter is black plastic lever that slides. When this lever is moved toward the bottom of the handle, it releases the blade. The round razor blade pops free so that a new one can be installed. When the new blade is in position, slide the black lever toward the blade to lock it tight into the cutter.
On the front of the rotary cutter, a black plastic collar surrounds the edges of the blade. This collar keeps the razor covered when the cutter is not being used. The collar slides using a simple push/pull lever that pushes the collar around the blade to cover its edges when not in use, and pulls backward to reveal the sharp blade for cutting.
The handle has a rounded end so that it fits easily against the palm of the hand during cutting. The black plastic push/pull lever that operates the safety cover for the razor blade is easy to push and pull using the thumb. There are raised plastic grooves near the razor head, offering a place for the fingers to rest while using the rotary cutter. This cutter is very lightweight.
My Experiences
The small blade on this rotary cutter is designed for intricate cutting. I use this Olfa cutter when cutting curves or circles. It is also great for maneuvering in tight areas and for trimming excess fabric.
Sometimes I do applique work where I need to cut out curved shapes (such as a cat’s tail or round circles for flower centers). I am not the best cutter when it comes to cutting circles, but with practice, I manage a credible job of it with the Olfa 18mm rotary cutter. When using scissors to cut circles, I always end up with a jagged point or two on my round edge. With this this Olfa cutter, I can cut circles without jagged edges.
I have also used this cutter to trim away excess fabric from pattern pieces with sharp corners and also for trimming seams. It is easy to lay the fabric flat and roll the cutter across the areas that need trimming. Sometimes I need to freeform cut pieces of fabric for quilts, which is easy to do with this handy little rotary cutter. The smaller blade allows me more freedom and does an excellent job slicing curves.
Since this rotary cutter has a small blade, it is not meant for heavy-duty cutting. I only use it to cut through one or two layers of fabric. I have also cut trims such as ribbon and lace with this cutter. It comes in handy for small jobs where a larger blade would slice too much fabric or not be able to deal with tight corners or curves.
The Olfa 18mm Rotary Cutter is practically weightless in the hand too. It’s like holding air and is comfortable to use. Replacing the blade is a cinch, too, and the cutter has never given me any problems.
To operate the cutter, first grasp the yellow handle. Using your thumb, pull back the black plastic lever to uncover the round razor blade. Make sure the hand is firmly on the handle. The index finger rests on the raised plastic notches near the razor blade – be careful where you place your fingers. Just as if you were using a pair of scissors, make sure the rotary cutter blade is straight up and down. Set the rotary cutter blade against the fabric and push the cutter forward with firm, even pressure. The fabric slices as the rotary cutter rolls its way across the material.
A unique feature of rotary cutters is that you can cut fabric in any direction. Move the cutter forward, backward or on a diagonal. Cut a straight or curved line. Since this Olfa rotary cutter has a straight handle, it can be used by left- or right-handed people.
If you are a rotary cutter novice, you are probably wondering what the fabric is resting against while all this cutting is happening. You need a rotary cutter mat. I use a self-healing Olfa rotary cutting mat (they come in a variety of sizes). The mat lays on a hard surface. The fabric is placed on the mat. Then the rotary cutter slices the fabric. The mat is designed so that as the razor wheel of the rotary cutter slices through it, the mat “heals” itself by merging together the cut.
If you are cutting straight lines, you will also want to use a thick acrylic ruler that is designed to use with a rotary cutter. These rulers come in all shapes and sizes. I own some mini rulers (such as a 2 1/2" square and a 6" long ruler) that are great to use with this cutter. When I have my fabric ready for cutting, I align the ruler so that it is straight along the grain of the fabric. Then I anchor the ruler in position with one hand (fingers slightly spread) while the other hand wields the rotary cutter. I place the blade of the cutter along the edge of the acrylic ruler and roll the cutter across the fabric. I make sure that I am standing above the ruler so that I can apply not only forward movement to the rotary cutter but also apply downward pressure so that the fabric is cut all the way through.
I have never used this rotary cutter on paper, but the manufacturer suggests that this cutter would make an excellent tool for scrapbooking and crafts.
Care and Cleaning
When the rotary cutter is not being used, always make sure the safety cover is in position around the wheel. The razor wheel is very sharp! Please keep rotary cutters away from children and animals.
Make sure there are no pins, rulers or other obstructions on the mat or under the fabric when cutting. Even though the rotary cutter wheel is made from steel, a stray pin can nick the metal.
To clean the Olfa rotary cutter, remove the blade, which is simple to do. Set the blade aside and wipe away lint from the area where the blade usually sits. Before replacing the blade, carefully wipe it clean. If desired, place one drop of sewing machine oil on the face of the cutter before replacing the blade. (I have never used oil on my cutters, and I have owned them for years and years ... and they work great.)
If the rotary cutter blade should dull or become damaged, replacement blades are available. It is simple to replace the blade in the cutter. It only takes minutes to do.
Purchasing
Joann Fabric sells the Olfa 18mm rotary cutter for about $8.00. The rotary cutter comes as one unit with the razor blade already installed. Many fabric and quilting stores sell these cutters, such as Hancock Fabrics (www.hancockfabrics.com).
Summary
I love my Olfa 18mm Rotary Cutter. Being so lightweight, it is easy to use. The smaller blade allows me the freedom of cutting or trimming fabrics in hard-to-reach areas that scissors or larger rotary cutters would have trouble accessing ... and it does a great job of cutting curves. This cutter is also easy to slip into a sewing bag for travel. It’s a handy little Olfa cutter to own!
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
Olfa North America
33 South 6th Street
Terre Haute, IN47807
Toll-free Phone: 800-962-OLFA
Please read my other reviews:
Olfa 28mm Rotary Cutter
Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter
Olfa Rotary Cutter Replacement Wheels – all sizes
Olfa 4-pack Mini Weights with Organizer
Olfa Weights
Fiskars Pinking Shears and tutorial
Quilter’s Dream Sewing Table
Horn of America Sewing Chair
Janome Jem Sewing Machine
Bernina Accessory Box
Quilt Pro Software
Keepsake Quilting Online Store
Joann .com Fabric & Craft Store
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.