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Cutting Mats. Anonymous
I've been hanging around here for a few months and not seen this question come up: What's the average lifespan of a decent rubber cutting mat? I've found some fairly inexpensive ones at the craft store but haven't purchased one yet.

Currently I cut everything on an old, fairly soft pasteboard backing material, but it is starting to get a bit chopped up after using it for the past three years. In other words, it's starting to dull my blades a lot quicker and my paper is tearing when I get stuck in the random dimples.

What sort of lifespan should I expect from a cutting mat? Would this also increase the lifespan of my blades?
>> Anonymous
It came up once. The general consensus was you should buy a self-healing cutting board especially since you wouldn't have to keep buying new ones and it wouldn't dull out your knives nearly so quickly. Yes, they are somewhat more expensive then a regular cutting board, but oh so worth it.
>> Zulekia
Depends on how you treat it. Self healing mats are great, but everything succumbs to wear and tear. Keep them away from heat and don't leave them in a hot car or anything.

To by one both Michaels Craft stores and Hobby Lobbys put out 40% off coupons or 50% off coupons around holidays. I by my mats and blades with them.
>> Anonymous
also officemax/office depot (don't remember which) has a self-healing board, and a knife with 5 replacement blades for four bucks
>> Kratos
>>136542
I got one at Office Depot. Haven't used it yet though.
>> Anonymous
I use Staedtler, you can buy em at staples, spend 20 bucks for a big one or get a tiny one with an exacto knife and 5 blades for 7 bucks.
>> Anonymous
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My cutting mat is just a piece of paper.
>> Anonymous
I think you mean card/posterboard; if it was just paper, you would just be cutting all the way through it into your desk. ;)
When I first started, I used a thick posterboard as well, but after a while, your knife will begin following the left over cuts from earlier builds.
Rubber self-healing cutting mats will, well, "heal" themselves (the cuts will "close" as you will) so you won't accidently follow previous cuts
>> Anonymous
Thanks for the great input everyone. I'll grab one this afternoon.
>> Anonymous
Protip: Polymer cutting boards intended for the kitchen are made out of the same material. The flexible cutting mats also are the same polymer. In design the only difference is the hobby cutting mats are kept thin by having a rigid core of styrene. I've had to replace "self healing" cutting mats every year until a few months ago, when I went back to the the solid rubber mat I used before, and that my father bought in the 1970s and used for several years. Also, I sharpen my blades, so I've been using the same 15 count pack of #11 blades for almost a decade.
>> found! Anh1l1at1on
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i found that set that>>136542was talking about, it is at office depot for 4.49

pic is proof
comes with self healing mat double sided
#11 art knife w/ 5 extra blades (6 if you include one in the handle already)
>> Anh1l1at1on
>>136635
can you explain how you are sharpening your blades? is it just simply with a sharpening stone or are you using an automatic sharpener?
>> Cotton Eyed Joe
>>136708
I use a steel when I'm sharpening mine. Same one I use for my kitchen knives.

I wouldn't use a stone on something as small as a model knife unless the blade was completely flat.
>> Anh1l1at1on
>>136711

thx, ill have to pick up one somewhere. any suggestions on where to go?
>> Cotton Eyed Joe
>>136714
a cooking store,as in, NOTHING but cooking implements and clothing and all that; the ones you get from department stores like walmart or whatever are utter shit, don't get them. The one I've used for the past 2 years would've been about $40 au.
>> Anonymous
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>>136708
why aren't you using disposable craft-scalpel blades? they cost virtually nothing to replace at any craft store.

But if you want something that'll last, try a tungsten blade like this:
http://www.stampstampstamp.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=S&Product_Code=
CTK28&Category_Code=gt
This one has remained brand-new-razor sharp for a year, cutting 120gm/m^2 card.
And it's retractable so you don't have to spend 5 minutes every time, looking for the safety cap!
>> Cotton Eyed Joe
>>136722
ooh, shiny...
>> Skelekitty
>>136723
Yes. Yes. it is :D and very nice to use too.
>> Skelekitty
BTW, I've had my cutting mat for about a decade now. You really do pay for what you get:
cheep = shit
expensive, self-healing = longer-lasting board & blade.
>> Anonymous
Well, self healing mats really aren't that expensive, I got one for $7 bucks even though it's quite small (just a bit bigger than A4 paper). Feels so nice to work with.
>> Anonymous
This is seriously one of the most informative and non-condescending posts I've seen to answer a random question, ever.

Also, that JudiKins Pen Knife is freaking fantastic. I ordered one this morning.

Thanks>>136722.
>> Anonymous
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