I love my Martelli rotary cutter, it is so easy on the hand when you are gliding forward to make a cut. I suppose you don't have to change the blade as often as with other cutters because you are not pressing down harder into the fabric as you might with other rotary cutters, but it probably depends on how much fabric you slice through on a regular basis. My blades do last a long time. I've been using the Martelli rotary cutter for three and a half years and I'm on my second blade. I changed the blade when it started skipping and leaving small portions of fabric uncut.

I watched a few youtube videos on Martelli products. Renata, I know you have the rotary cutter. Is it as good as they proclaim? How often have you had to change the blade? They claim it should last years?!! I really liked the non-slip rulers with the slits in them. Anybody got those? And the claims they make for the mats do make them look interesting. Anybody else got more comments on the Martelli products?

At the moment I am using a fiscars yellow/pale green mat. I don't think it's that great. I agree with you Marilyn that it's hard to see on them if you have a pale coloured fabric. I seem to have a lot of rough patches on mine now. I also have an Olfa one which seems to have worn better. I believe you can sand them down with very fine sand paper when they get rough cuts in them.

Yes, Margo has it right. I meant to say "Holds the RUTS" and I meant that the cuts you make do score it and the ruts from that do not seal back up. As Margo says, Salem mats get 'scratched'.

I find the Olfa is harder than the Salem, and the tiny cuts it gets do not interfere with rotary cutting at all. As I said, mine is very old and just fine.

Well...I loved my old grey Fiskers ...but they saw fit to quit making them. I can't stand the smell of the Olfas..
So..pastel green and yellow of Fiskers will have to do for now. I don't see as well those...Oh, well !

Thanks for the Martelli comments--if anyone else has one, I would welcome your impression of it. Also, if you have an absolute favorite mat, would you post a comment and reason you like it. My green Omnigrid mat has a four-inch cut in it (don't even remember doing it), and while it's not in the way, pretty soon it will be time for me to replace it.

I replaced the Olfa mat I had with a Martelli. I really like it better. It's hard to describe, but there's a smoother roll of my rotary cutter on the Martelli.

Bellamia wrote:
I think that Michelle will agree with me that "holds the cuts" means that the mat is NOT self healing, and there is a scratch left on the mat each time you make a cut.
The Olfa mats are supposed to be self healing, and the surface is harder and doesn't scratch like the Salem rulers.

I have the Martelli's. Eh. Tough plastic. As good as any others I think. Colors not my first choice.

Hi Michelle (heartnsoulquilts) why do you mean by it holds the cuts?

Thanks for your time in replying.

Michelle

Anyone have an opinion on the Martelli mats?

Oh and the Fiskers brand yellow mats are pretty good too. I have the 13" rotating one and love it.

What about the Creative Grids mats? I think you can get them in the U S A.
Anne

If it's the same as the old white Salem mats, I find they do hold the cutting ruts over time much more than the Olfa. I am not a fan of the color of Olfa mats either, but they are the best ones - mine are over 15 years old and still in good shape. I hate the smell also so when I buy a new mat, I put it in the basement laying flat for a few weeks until the smell goes away.

I like that it says iron safe. Go for it.