I thought it was on this forum, but someone mentioned a while back that they used carpet blades. I picked up a pack at Harbor Freight, 2 for $2.47. Haven't got around to trying them out yet, but what a deal if they work. If they don't I'm out a couple bucks.

I had a large purchase of fabric for a backing that I used the coupon on (

Good idea Renata - must try it.

I hope you used the 40% off JoAnn's coupon!

WELL! I want to know what is going on at out JoAnn Fabrics that their blades are so expensive. I wanted to buy a five pack but they wanted $40 for them. That is why I just bought one. Thanks ladies.

Renata wrote: Renata, cool idea! I'll remember that for the future.

Reetzbobeetz wrote: Rita, I would say from my own experience that absolutely they last a lot longer and seem to resist knicks better too.

I get a more wear out of my rotary blades by cutting through a couple of layers of aluminum foil about a dozen times when the blade starts to feel dull. This will not sharpen the blade per se but will have the same effect as steeling a good kitchen knife. When you use a blade for a long period of time, it develops an imperceptible warp. Steeling it will straighten that edge so that you can get more use out of it. It will give you the feel of a sharpened blade but indeed it is simply straightened out. You don't sharpen your kitchen knives daily but if you steel them regularly, they won't dull as quickly. Steel often, sharpen seldom. The principle is the same. Of course, all bets are off if you knick the the rotary blade.

BJ, I didn't even know there was such a thing as a titanium blade. I have just looked them up and they are $9.99 for 2 at Nancy's Notions. Do they really last a lot longer?

RITZY! I can't believe you paid that! I buy my blades 10 at a time from http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ for $40! Look for specials and free shipping offers! They usually go on sale in January for $30, but who knows in this economy.

And here is another useful site: http://quiltshops.com/ Search for anything you want. I usually set up a spreadsheet that includes shipping cost and sales tax to see where I get the best deal.

You can search for them and see if anything is on sale, but Hancocks is usually the cheapest. A little bit of high math here: If you buy one blade at a time ten times, you spend $100. If you buy 10 at a time for $40, that leaves $60 you can spend on more fabric! (Hopefully on sale, but some of them never reach the sale stage.)

When my blades get too dull for fabrics, I mark "PAPER" on the blade with a permanent marker, and use it in the handle I use for paper cutting. I do a lot of that because I print my patterns and need to tape them together, but the edges need cutting off to make them meet up together. I have yet to reach a point where the "Paper" blades are too dull to cut paper. I've also gone to titanium blades and they last and last and last...

I was just thinking about this subject the other day. I bought one blade and it cost $10. I couldn't believe it. I guess I will ask Santa for blades in my stocking. I might also look into the blade exchange. Thanks ladies.

Thanks for your input, I wasn't thinking of getting the Truecut but a friend asked me about it,I think it is expensive and just another gadget.
I prefer to get a new blade and look after it.
Thanks again
Anne

There is always the Man from Rio Designs....
http://www.riodesigns.co.uk/shebadetails.html#Sheba_Blades_details