New toy???

Good morning, Kate. Just wondering . . . are you the first quilter awake or the last one to go to bed? The sharpener sounds interesting but I am a coward. I am just barely willing to change my rotary blade; will get somebody else to do it for me if there happens to be adult supervision around. Happy day to you - isn't our weather beautiful? Polly

I haven't seen that particular "toy," but at the last quilt show I went to, there was a man who brought his equipment and sharpened blades while you roamed through the show. A friend had seven sharpened at a cost of $2.50 a blade (I think). She's happy with them, but she doesn't think they last quite as long as a new, out-of-the-package blade.

I have heard of pe> Good morning, Kate. Just wondering . . . are you the first quilter awake

seven sh

On a quilting television program I saw a new type of rotary cutting ruler that has a special edge to sharpen the blade as you cut your fabric. Has anybody tried one of those rulers? Opinion?

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Well its new to me. Have any of you had a chance to use the True Sharp Power Rotary Blade Sharpener from the Grace Frame Company. Saw the ad in a new quilt mag. Looked it up on their website and its kinda pricey. I'd pay the price if it actually worked. Anyone see this thing in action at a quilt show or LQS. If it actually works it would save a bundle on blades.

Kate T. South Mississippi

I got one package of blades from Harbor Freight. They work as well as the Olfa at about 1/6th the price. They have been out of stock for a couple of months when I have been there. Guess we aren't the only quilters who found them

Anna Belle in Palm Bay

I just searched Harbor Freight's website using every combination of words I could think of trying find the 45 mm rotary cutter-like blades. No luck. Maybe someone else- who is not a blonde- can find them on the website? VBG

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.- blaming Taria (and her link) for the urge to adopt/rescue another dog! ;-)

I haven't seen that particular "toy," but at the last quilt show I went to, there was a man who brought his equipment and sharpened blades while you roamed through the show. A friend had seven sharpened at a cost of $2.50 a blade (I think). She's happy with them, but she doesn't think they last quite as long as a new, out-of-the-package blade.

I have heard of pe> Good morning, Kate. Just wondering . . . are you the first quilter awake

seven sh

Leslie, try this:

Right now they're 2 blades for $1.49 (I don't know what shipping cost is, though).

Good luck!

Louise > I just searched Harbor Freight's website using every combination of

Leslie, I have one of these rulers. It does seem to help keep the blade honed. You do need to remember to turn the blade over occasionally so both side get honed and not just one. The diamond dust edged rulers are just a bit more expensive than the others, but probably worth it. A caution though... I found the the "top" end of the ruler is not smooth. Not a great way to cut up and across if that makes sense.

Pati, > On a quilting television program I saw a new type of rotary cutting ruler

Hey Polly, I'm one of the last to go to bed.giggle. the ruler sharpner is also made by the same company, and I have my doubts about it, but the one I am talking about is a thingy that you drop the blade into and close a lid and it spins. Or sometihng similar. the price is about 65 dollars. I have a lot of 28mm blades that need to be sharpened and can't find a new supply. I was thinking maybe this new toy just might be the thing to save money in the long run and eventually pay for itself. If I'm not mistaken, blades made of tungstun will hold a sharp edge longer than stainless steel.

And Yes Polly the day is just beautiful. The kite flyers will be on the beach today. I love to watch them when they are out on the water letting the kite pull them as they water ski. Now that sounds like an idea for a quilt. But I'm too busy with my postage stamp quilt. Got one block made. Takes a long time to press all those seams open. Only 37 more blocks to go. You know the more I think about it, the more I just might buy this thing, if it doesn't work out I can always send it back. Ya Think.

Kate T. South Mississippi

This is probably a dumb question, but the rotary blades are so thin - how many times could they be sharpened until there was nothing left of them?? Wouldn't each sharpening make the blade slightly thinner?

Re Harbor Freight Blades - I heard about them as well & DH & I stopped in to check them out. They were sold out. I told my husband it must be those darned quilters that are buying them all up. A friend of mine just ordered about 100 blades, because they are on sale at 2/$1.49! So, I placed an order for 10 packages. I think the shipping was only about $6.00. That's about the price of one blade at TSWLTH, isn't it? I wish they had them in the 60mm size, but at $0.75 each, I'm not going to complain too loudly:) The word must have gotten out to the quilting community, because I've been hearing that all the Harbor Freight stores are selling out of them, but they have plenty in the warehouse. Wait & see, when they figure out quilters are buying them, they'll raise the price:)