The most difficult task for a new seamstress is learning how to cut perfect seams with various tools.
Imagine using scissors to cut out a circular shape on thick fabric. It would be very difficult without an Exacto knife, and you may end up causing more damage than good.
Therefore, rotary cutters are the way to get your perfect cut – especially when using long strips of fabric!
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What Are Rotary Cutters?
Rotary cutters are used for cutting multiple layers of fabric, paper, felt, or vinyl.
The blades on a rotary cutter can be extremely sharp, and the best ones will stay sharp for a long time. It is possible to get different blades that vary in their cutting ability and size.
The most common use for rotary cutters is in quilting, as they are ideal for quickly making straight cuts through several layers of fabric. Other uses include cutting strips of fabric to make your bias binding then.
They can also be used creatively when making crafts such as quilling (rolling thin paper into rolls and shapes).
To use either the OLFA or Fiskars rotary cutters, you will need a rotary mat to protect your table while making clean cuts through your material. Below we have compared both brands’ qualities to buy the right one.
OLFA Rotary Cutters
OLFA is arguably the most popular rotary cutters out there, and for a good reason.
They have been making rotary cutters in Japan since 1956, and their products are consistently superb.
The biggest selling point of OLFA’s rotary cutters is that, unlike those made by other brands, OLFA blades are made from a hardened type of tungsten carbide steel, which means you can use them for much longer between them sharpening or replacement.
OLFA also offers a patented safety feature that protects your fingers from getting nicked when used. The blade retracts into the handle to prevent injury or accidental cuts when it isn’t used.
Fiskars Rotary Cutters
Unlike OLFA rotary cutters, Fiskars Rotary Cutters are made in Finland and have made high-quality products for over 300 years.
They use the latest technology to make their products and have a state-of-the-art factory in Finland that produces all their rotary cutter blades.
Fiskars is known for its high quality and innovative designs. Their products are used by professionals in many industries, such as fashion designers, tailors, and hobbyists who want an easy way to cut the fabric at home without buying expensive equipment or learning how to use it properly.
Fiskars rotary cutter is a premium quality cutter that is made in Finland. It is a small yet powerful tool that can easily cut through multiple layers of fabric with just one swipe of your finger on its blade edge.
These cutters have been designed so well that even if someone tries hard enough, they won’t break them because they’re made from high-quality materials and built strong enough to withstand everyday wear and any kind of abuse thrown at them.
In addition, you can use Fiskar’s blade sharpener to keep your blades sharp.
OLFA vs. Fiskars
The two main companies in the market for rotary cutters are OLFA, a Japanese company that was the first to create the rotary cutter, and Fiskars, a Finnish company that acquired OLFA in 2006.
As a result of this acquisition, Fiskars began making OLFA products. In some cases, this is obvious as it has both names on the packaging.
However, in other cases, you’ll have to dig deeper to determine if you’re looking at an OLFA product or one from its parent company.
Which Cutter Is More Comfortable?
Both cutters are comfortable to use, but a few key differences are.
The Fiskars cutter has an ergonomic handle that’s better for left-handers. It also has a safety lock, which will help keep the blade from accidentally cutting you if you drop it on your fabric and walk away.
The OLFA cutter is lightweight and slightly shorter than the Fiskars, making it easier to store. It also has a blade cover extending over the top of the rotary cutter, so there’s less risk of accidentally slicing your fingers when cutting around curves.
Most users think that OLFA cutters are more comfortable than Fiskars. OLFA is the way if you are looking for a rotary cutter with a soft grip.
If you want a rotary cutter with a solid grip and an ergonomic design, Fiskars is the best option.
Which Cutter Is More Efficient?
In the sewing world, rotary cutters are a fantastic tool that adds to the efficiency of your workroom.
By rotating an extremely sharp blade against a ruler, you can easily cut through fabric and other materials at angles and precise measurements. They’re great for everything from trimming off loose threads to sewing patterns for apparel, upholstery projects, and quilting.
OLFA’s rotary cutter has a blade made from high-quality materials, which will help you get through multiple projects without replacing your tool.
However, Fiskars’ cutters are more efficient than OLFA’s because they have a unique design that allows for more precise cuts with less effort than other brands on the market today.
In addition, Fiskars rotary cutters are more efficient than OLFA rotary cutters because they can cut more layers at once. They’re perfect for professionals who need to cut a lot of layers at once or for large projects requiring a lot of layers.
Which Cutter Has Better Quality?
OLFA Rotary Cutters are of higher quality, which means they’ll last longer and keep their sharp edge longer than Fiskars.
In addition, they have a blade arm that helps protect your fingers when using the cutter to work more safely.
The blade on an OLFA cutter is made from high-quality tungsten steel, so you can use it for multiple projects without getting dull too quickly. Plus, it has a stainless steel handle that’s spring-loaded for a comfortable grip.
Fiskars Rotary Cutters are of slightly lower quality and often need replacement blades sooner than OLFAs. In addition, they don’t have a guard arm to protect your fingers from the blade.
Which Cutter Has a Better Design?
There are slight differences between the blades’ design, size, and shape.
Also, OLFA’s rotary cutter has a slight advantage in terms of blade size.
The standard OLFA blade measures 18 millimeters in diameter, while Fiskar’s rotary cutter comes with a 28-millimeter circular blade.
Next, you can find each brand available with different sizes of handles. Some brands offer all sizes; smaller handles are ideal for young users or those who want to cut through thin materials precisely for needed detail work.
The handle will also dictate how much pressure you need to apply when cutting straight lines or curvy patterns.
The same advantage applies to the rotary cutter itself—OLFA’s rotary cutters come out on top again. However, OLFA’s rotary cutter is slightly smaller than Fiskars: approximately 2 x 5 ¾ x 3/10 inches vs. 4 ½ x 8 ¼ x 1 inch, respectively.
That might not seem like much, but when you need to do complex projects that require hours of use and concentration, the smaller size will be more comfortable and efficient.
Which Cutter is More Cost Efficient?
While comparing the two brands, we found that OLFA rotary cutters are cheaper than Fiskars.
However, Fiskars is more efficient in cutting fabric and other materials.
If you’re looking for a rotary cutter that is extremely cheap, our recommendation would be to go with OLFA. However, we prefer Fiskars if your budget is not an issue and you’re simultaneously looking for efficiency and durability.
Nevertheless, the price of the OLFA and Fiskars rotary cutters is determined by the sizes of their blades or handles. A small blade will be cheaper than a big one, and a big handle will cost more than a small one.
Final Thoughts
So, what is the difference between OLFA vs. Fiskars Rotary Cutters? Which is better and which is best for you?
The OLFA cutters are great for ensuring that the blade exposure stays concealed, but they aren’t great for cutting more than two layers of fabric. They also have a shorter handle.
The Fiskar cutters are more versatile with various blade types, colors, and lengths, but they can be very expensive – especially if you want to get different blades. However, they provide an extended life span since you only need to replace the blades!