Trimmer- out with the old, in with the new and why it's perfect for you!

Trimmers- there are so many great things about the Rotary Trimmer I can't wait to share.  However first, I want to answer a popular question/comment regarding the replacement blades for the 12" Straight Trimmer.   These replacement blades will be discontinued March 1, 2010.  Please keep in mind that the blades are sold in a 2pk for $9.50 and each blade lasts for 500 cuts or 1-5 years depending on usage.  So by purchasing just one replacement pack, that could last up to 10 years of additional use for only $9.50.

Personally I've had my trimmers since they first came out in February 2005 and just starting thinking I should replace the blade for the first time.  My trimmers have been used a lot not only for Scrapbooking but card and invitation making as well.  Even though we would love to keep everything in our warehouse forever to meet needs, we are not able to.  We need to make room for new and upcoming products but we try to make the best decision for everyone keeping additional needs in mind.

Now, on to the new and exciting Rotary Trimmer!  There are so many great features on this product and I hope to answer many of the questions you may have and maybe more you didn't know you had. :-) If you haven't already, be sure to check out the great informational video on the front page of www.creativememories.com.  This video shares the basic features and also shows how to switch out your blades.

1- Many have asked how to know where you are cutting and if there is an indicator of some sort.  As someone else described there are raised up marks on the wings of the blade case- please see the photo with the arrow pointing to the line.

2- Another question we have received is regarding the force of the cutting arm and why it is harder to lift than the past trimmer.  This is a great question.  Since the blade cartridge is larger on this trimmer, the tension to keep the handle down when in transit needs to be greater.  Please note that since the design is different there will be more force to lift it however, you will not break it by using that extra force.

3- Where do I store the blades and why didn't it get designed to add the blades at the bottom of the base?  We did look at adding a way to store them under the base however we would run out of room over time when we add more blades to the line.  That's right, here's an inside sneak peak- there will be more blades added throughout the coming year!  As far as storage goes, one great Consultant suggested storing them under the trimmer with Velcro.  Another option is storing them in any of our new organizers, the inside or outside pockets, in the top of the Tools Caddy or in the Daisy Case.  Another option is to store your trimmer in the box and keep your blades in the box with it on top of the trimmer.

4- How many straight cuts will I get and how does it compare to the past trimmer?  The replacement blades for the past trimmer average 500 cuts.  This new Rotary Trimmer will average 1500 cuts!

5- Why didn't we design the replacement blades to be sold with the cartridge so all you have to do is slide on and off a cartridge.  We looked at this too but chose not to for a few reasons.  One, the blade would then be exposed when off the trimmer which would be a safety hazard and we would have to sell an additional cover that could get lost or misplaced.  Two, the cost of selling the additional blades in this format would be far more expensive than the $7.50 as offered now.  Third, your additional blades would take up far more space than they do now.

Whew, that's a lot of information and hopefully some helpful tips.  As someone else commented there is always a learning curve with a new product.  It's kind of like a new car, the function and general purpose is the same but you need to take some time to learn all the new buttons, what turns on what and exactly what seat position is the best for you!  Take some time, try it out for a while, have fun, create something new with one of the new blades and share how great it is with your customers.  Soon you'll wonder how you ever got along without it and we'll be saying, remember the time when we didn't have this amazing Rotary Trimmer, thank goodness we have it now.  :-)

Comments

[Bobbi Trisko]

Thanks for your question regarding the trimmer mat. You can turn the mat four different ways and can achieve 300 cuts with each way for a total of 1200 cuts.
Hope this helps- thanks Bobbi

[Paper Trimmer]

How long should a mat trimmer last? Just curious so I'll know for my own purchase.

[Marilea Reinke]

I loved my new rotary trimmer but after paying a good sum of $ for it the extension ruler is falling off and won't stay on so it really no longer serves the purpose I need it for. Trimming items that are 12 inches or longer. Is there any quarantee on that item?

[Rita Radil]

I am having trouble figuring out the measurements with the new trimmer. If I want a 5 x 5 cut from a 12 x 12 paper and I slide it in to where it says 5 and cut it, it actually comes out 5 1/2. I have had other scrapbookers say the same thing and they are frustrated as they cannot figure out how to measure their paper so they make the cut the first time correctly. Please explain.

[Bobbi Trisko]

Hi Shelley- The replacement blades are currently out of stock but will be available again 1/12/2010. You or your Consultant will be able to purchase them at that time. Thanks for asking.

[Shelley Lanthier]

Where can I still purchase the replacement blades for the old trimmer? My Creative Memories rep here in Canada said she cannot get them and I would really like to get a packet or two?

Thanks.

~ Shelley

[Kim]

I have tried to use the Rotary cutter several times now and it works fine on paper, but I can not get it to trim photo paper. It just glides over the top and scratches the top surface of the photo paper. What gives? I have been using the previous CM trimmer for years without a problem and feel that it shouldn't be rocket science to use the new product.

[Bobbi Trisko]

Hi Kathryn- in case you haven't heard the good news, we have extended the length of availability for the replacement blades. They will now be available until January 1, 2011 so about 18 months from when we discontinued the trimmer. You're right the blade life does depend on usage. We suggest that it lasts for 500 cuts but it can be more or less depending on the thickness of paper and other variables. I'm sad to hear that you will not be trying the Rotary Trimmer.

[Kathryn]

I would like to weigh in on the discontinuance of the 12" trimmer. While I understand your need to come out with new products, your lack of customer service for not offering the replacement blades for an extended time disappoints me. I have both the straight and wavy cutters and now you are telling me that I will have to throw perfectly good cutters away because CM is only willing to stock the blades for a year? Although you say that yours lasted for years, you also say it lasts for 500 cuts - so it does depend on your usage, doesn't it? If you look at this item on your website, although the trimmer shows while supplies last, it does say replacement blades available. I find this also very deceptive. I have been buying CM products since 1996 and have become less and less pleased with the company. I will not be buying the new Rotary Cutter - I will stick with Fiskars who supports their product and at a more reasonable price.

[Angela Fenton]

I wanted to chime in also... I anxiously check here every day for a new discussion on the product blog...

[M]

Oh, and I meant to add -- I would love to see a new discussion here on the Product Blog.

[M]

I am being won over to the new trimmer. I have figured out ways around the fact that if I start at the top of the trimmer my cutter cuts crooked for the first half inch - I just cut from the bottom. I like the fact that the trimmer cuts thicker material more cleanly than the old trimmer. I have gotten pretty good about predicting where the cut will occur, though it is not always as precise as I would like. I won't give up my old trimmers, but this one has it's place. Now I am anxious to see what's coming next in terms of blades!

[Beth Jaffe]

Left a comment earlier about my Fiskars trimmer and have now successfully switched to CM's trimmer! And I'm a happy customer! It took me awhile to get used to it, but with a bit of practice and a new album under my belt, I love it! Thanks so much!

[Emily Johnson]

I've been out of the Creative Memories loop since we bought our first home and had 2 little girls, but now that I'm back in, I'm realizing that my albums have been discontinued (I think!) and see on the website only "True Size" 12x12 albums/protectors.

What should I do? I need some more pages and page protectors for my old style albums.

Can someone help? Please email me if you can!

[Bobbi Trisko]

Anne Marie- I love your attitude! Thank you so much for your great comments.

[Anne Marie Gross]

Thanks for the tips Bobbi -- I'm excited that we'll be seeing new blades for this in the next year! I love the trimmer. I think it cuts much straighter than the old straight trimmer, which always cut at a slight angle at the top 1/2". I also think this new rotary trimmer cuts heavier weight papers much more cleanly than the old trimmer. I've had no problem getting used to what a friend of mine and I lovingly refer to as the "sure-grip" arm (don't you love it?!!).

One tip I've learned through practice is that the trimmer really needs to be on a completely flat surface to cut correctly. I couldn't understand one day why my perforating cuts were cutting all the way through until I realized that I had part of my trimmer lying on the edge of a magazine. Just that little bit of being off balance caused the cuts to be off. Once I moved the trimmer and made sure it was flat I had no trouble.

Thanks for all the great information!

[Bobbi Trisko]

K- thanks for your post. I'm sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the trimmer. We are always looking at ways to improve our products when possible and we will continue to review this as well. Please be assured the mats have passed all of our extensive testing to ensure it is a quality product. thanks again.

[Bobbi Trisko]

Rojana- thank you for your note. I encourage you to try the trimmer for yourself with an open mind. Everyone's personal experience is unique to them. You may truly love the trimmer and sell them like crazy. Why pass up on that opportunity because you don't think you will like it based on other people's comments. You never know what you might like if you don't try it. thanks

[K]

Ok, I have tried to keep a positive attitude about the new trimmer and really tried hard to like it. But I have to agree with others that it is disappointing. I don't like the cutting mat of the trimmer or the new "self-healing" 12x12 mat. I am sorry but they do not "self-heal". I bought a self-healing mat in a craft store in Seoul, Korea 5 years ago that I have used for many paper crafts. My Korean mat looks newer than the cutting strip on my rotary cutter and my 12x12 mat. I hope CM will improve these problems soon. I am sorry to say I don't feel comfortable selling this new cutting system.

[Rojana Turner]

I have to honestly say that although I got a new trimmer with my Consultant kit, I haven't used it yet and probably won't based on the comments above. I realize that "consumables" is the name of the profit game, but with the lower cost alternatives on the market, it will be hard to make an argument for something that costs more upfront and requires replacement parts.
My old trimmer is just fine, will stock up on blades and enjoy them while they last.

[Bobbi Trisko]

Sorry Maddy- no sneak peeks yet but trust me it will be great! One thing I can tell you is you won't have to wait too long for your sneak peek so stay tuned!

[Maddy]

I love the new trimmer and did find the stiff arm a problem when demonstrating to customers, but now that I know the reason I can explain.

The only problem I have with the new timmer is that the blad does not lock in place, for storage in the Daisy Weekender, like the old blades did. It fall to the bottom and I worry about damaging it when I pack the tote.

I can't wait to see the new blades, can we get a sneeeeeek peeeeeek!

[Bobbi Trisko]

thanks for your comments

[Kendra]

I like the new rotary trimmer but was disappointed that I had to flip the healing mat already. (I know I hadn't done 300 cuts yet!) I was cutting my kids' school pictures apart and was getting a jagged edge from the line where the blade goes. Is there a way to make the mat last a little longer? I had just cut a few pieces of paper and then the school pictures.

I am excited about the scoring blade and can't wait for new releases of other blades. :)

[Peggy]

I understand that self-healing mats get "lines." They should not, however, get slices with one or two passes of a blade, and these mats are sliced by the very first pass of the rotary blade - and the slice does not heal. I have used self-healing mats for at least 20 years in my sewing - none of those mats slice when using a rotary blade, but they all do "mark" of course. The mats last for at least five or more years with almost constant use. The slices in these new mats create a surface that is no longer smooth and thus the blade seeks the slice on subsequent passes preventing precision cuts. Perhaps it is true that they are made of the same type of plastic, but the softer composition has lessened the quality in my opinion. I remain optimistic that CM will correct this issue and offer replacements - hence my continued comments.