I know that this is a topic that has been discussed in many blogs. However, it is worth mentioning again because regardless of how long it’s been I still have an uncanny way of forgetting. Creating my latest project for the Craft Room I couldn’t understand why my cuts were fine one moment and then literally the next cut they were frayed and looked awful.
All of a sudden all of my cuts are bad. The design will be mangled in some areas and not cut through in others. Everything was fine when I was cutting just a little earlier, what happened?
Has this ever happened to you? The situation can be frustrating and baffling, what so suddenly changed that made your cuts bad? When this happened to me, I decided to inspect my blade. Sure enough, you could see were the tip was rounded and there was no longer a nice sharp point. Once I changed out the blade, I was back up and cutting without a hitch! Blades have a way of acting like a good haircut does – one day your hair is perfect, then you wake up the next day and think “Wow! I need a hair cut!”. Blades can feel like they go bad just as suddenly and it can be an easy to forget how long you have actually used a blade. This is the primary reason I recommend having additional blades on hand. If you find yourself in a position like me where my images suddenly aren’t cutting well, try replacing your blade!
Here’s one for you:
I was using a blade for a while. I had gotten to the point that it started to tear up my paper, no matter what paper I used. I decided to start using it to cut chipboard only. I forgot to take that blade out to cut normal paper again and guess what? That same blade was sharp again and cutting the paper just fine. I am not sure how this happens, but it has happened with a few of my blades. It’s almost like cutting with the chipboard sharpens the blade instead of dulling it like I thought it would. These could be flukes, but as I said it has happened with all my blades, so I get to use them longer.
I wonder if cutting sandpaper might sharpen them?
Anyone tried this?
Deborah: That sounds like a good idea. I was even thinking of trying to cut aluminum foil to see if that would work with sharpening the blade.
Normally with scissors you can cut reynolds wrap (aluminum foil) and it will sharpen it. So we can also try this.
ranona iHANE A NOTHER CUTING SISTEM TO AND I HAVE USED LEATHER TO KEEP MY BLSDES SHARP NOT BY CUTING BUT STROKING THE BLADES ON THE LEATHER
FAY
Don’t forget to use Cutter Glide. I have revived my blades by cleaning them and reapplying the Cutter Glide.