LoganLOG2000 Jn Mat Cutter Retractable Blade, Multicolor

The original mat cutter I had was a cheap X-acto one from the local sewing/craft store. I've probably had it 25 years and use it very occasionally. I've always struggled to get decent results and always though the problem was me.Well I had a rare poster that I looked for for a long time and I wanted to do it justice. What a difference this cutter makes over my old one. Following the instructions and a couple of videos online I got excellent results the first time. Game changer. The tools make the craftsman.Wish I'd made the upgrade decades ago!

This cutter is excellent. Aluminum, not plastic. Easy to use. Has nice marking spot so you know where you are in your cut. I got the straight edge too and they work so well together.

--Overview--This piece of equipment is very low-tech and that can be a good or a bad thing. I've had it for a couple weeks and done two mat jobs with it. The description was accurate, and a lot of the reviews helped me understand which product I was going to need and how to use it.--Cons--It does very little to help you:- stay straight (you need a solid straight edge, clamped down is best)- apply sufficient pressure (a fair amount is needed to cut through even regular matboard), forget about cutting anything thicker than the standard thin matboard- start and stop at the right place (you have to be vigilant about where the blade is and keep it from going too far)- cutting whatever is underneath the mat your cutting. Protect your floor/table/etc. with some cardboard, self-healing mat, whatever you have since you need some blade actually sticking out the bottom to get it to cut all the way through.It took a couple passes on some of the sides of the mat to get all the way through and even then, I had some scary moments where the front of the mat could have torn. Luckily, it didn't go that way, but applying enough pressure the entire way and going all the way to the corners are important.--Pros--That said, it's easy to change the blade out, and intuitive to use so I can't complain very much. The solid extruded aluminum base and plastic rotating blade assembly feel like relatively high-quality parts that should last multiple uses at least.--How to learn to use it--The instructions were less helpful than the Amazon reviews and YouTube videos I used. I have very little experience matting and I still got a good enough result (see picture).--Price--Seemed a little high for a glorified exactoknife-on-an-angle, but I think it was ultimately a good value, especially considering the alternatives are all worse in their own ways:- fancier cutters (even more expensive)- having it professionally done (yikes, we're probably buying this product to avoid this one)- using an actual exacto knife and trying to maintain the angle with your hand (laughs out loud)

I’m an artist and have a penchant for creating watercolor paintings that don’t fit standard frames. I bought this to cut my own mats and save money. There is a slight learning curve, but it’s not as scary as I thought. My tip is to use a metal yardstick (or smaller ruler if sufficient) and clamp it down to your work surface. With the straightedge firmly secured, the cutter will glide along and make a nice straight cut. And of course the old adage “Measure twice, cut once.” is also key. This tool is very well made and works beautifully once you have the hang of it. Today I enlarged the opening of an 11x14 store bought mat to fit an 11.5” x 15.5” certificate. Glad I splurged a little and got this because it will make life easier for me.

Pros:- easy to install the blade and easy to use. I looked up one Youtube video and got going.- It did a fantastic job of cutting through a standard matt- created clean and smooth angled edges- when not in use, the blade retracts into the cutter for safety and to preserve the blade- I have 3 matts that need cutting. Getting them professionally cut would have each cost the price of this cutter. I think this is a good value.Cons:- the description was not clear if blades were included in the package. I looked through every word in the listing. I had to pay for an extra pack of blades that I didn't need because the cutter comes with a 5-pack of blades.- the visible line on the tool that gauges where the blade is currently cutting is off by a couple of mm. This caused my cuts to go just a little bit further than I wanted at the corners. It is not visible once the frame is tight and installed, but it bothered me. I recommend practicing and maybe adjusting the blade to correct for this.Quick how to:- measure twice (or thrice) and use a light pencil to draw the lines, as a grid, where you will cut- set a clean piece of cardboard under the matt to protect the table or other surface- use a ruler, set precisely along the line you drew, to hold the matt down, in place, and flush against the surface- run the cutter along the edge of the ruler in a slow and smooth motion while you press down on it.