kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,605 
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Post by kitbop on Dec 5, 2023 19:50:39 GMT
**EDITED BELOW FEB.13 2024** I've had so. many. trimmers. It feels like I've been on the hunt for the holy grail of trimmers. I do not have any space for a trimmer on my desk. I have to be able to tuck them away. 2000 - Started with the basic Fiskars. Hated that it wasn't "square" - eg. can't push a piece of paper against the ridge and cut, it's not 90 degrees. Went through 2 of those. 20 years ago - Cutterpede - decided rotary wasn't for met (I like gutting paper) and just didn't like it 15 years ago - Discovered rotary wasn't the problem: went through 2 Making Memories trimmers - loved the cutting mechanism - sharp! Smooth! slivers! - but it was so CROOKED, I struggled to get a 90 degree edge because nothing was square. Frustrating. 10 years ago - Went back to fiskars when I found the ones with the wire (still have one in rotation) and then the one with the sturdier "bar" that offers less wiggle in the cuts. But was tired of replacing blades all the time, and the base still wasn't "square" - I couldn't just use the ridge to line up paper, I had to visually line up with the printed grid, and know which grid lines were truly square! Last Christmas I got the big Tonic guillotine chopper. It's good. But not 100% certain square if I'm making card bases. And again, I can't gut papers with it nor do I want to use it for small items. I have a small fiskars guillotine but again there are significant limitations in it's use. So while I didn't need it, I ordered the new Tim Holtz trimmer - the one with the blade (not rotary) and the scoring blade. Obviously I cannot comment on longevity of it or it's blades. But IT'S SQUARE!!!  I just made 20 card bases so quickly with it, quicker than ever before. And the scoring blade worked as intended and saved me getting out the scorboard. The grid lines are etched in the surface, slender so easy to line up with. There is a special dotted etched line at 4.25 and 5.5...thank you Mr. Holtz! It measures out 2" on the right hand side as well. It cut very nicely. My *only* criticism is that there is no way to lock the plastic bar down when I'm storing it vertically, but I'll get by. If anyone is looking, I can recommend it as an option FEB 13 - EDIT AND PROBLEM
After Shakti posted her sudden change in cutting, I took a close (glasses off, nose to trimmer) look at my "track" so see if I had any paper in there. No paper. My trimmer is still cutting well. But the SIDES of the track are flaking/breaking! There are several places along my track where there are gouges/flakes/cuts in the hard plastic that makes up the track. There were a few pieces of the PLASTIC that I removed from the track! I'm certain these will over time lead to inaccurate and ragged cuts. Since this trimmer has seen only LIGHT use since December (gave it a work out with card bases but then less use) I am alarmed and think Tonic may have a mess to clean up here. Sigh! My "perfect trimmer" might be garbage after all  Given what I see on mine I cannot recommend at all. |
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jediannie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,066
Jun 30, 2014 3:19:06 GMT
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Post by jediannie on Dec 5, 2023 20:01:44 GMT
Thank you for your review! A trimmer that cuts straight/square is like a unicorn and I'm glad to hear there's at least one out there that is square.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,564
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Post by MerryMom on Dec 5, 2023 20:31:25 GMT
Could you link which model you like? There’s a few options and I want to be sure I am looking at the right one.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 5, 2023 23:13:53 GMT
kitbop is it the new Tim Holtz Precision Craft Trimmer? I’m quietly going batty trying to score 50 card bases using my Martha Stewart scoreboard. I don’t know if it’s the board, the scoring tool or me, but good grief. I keep going ‘off track’ and ruining the card base. Grrrrrr. Was the scoring blade as accurate as the cutting blade? The last thing on earth I need is yet another paper trimmer, but at this rate my Christmas cards are going to be New Years cards!!! I’m desperate! LOL
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,199
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 5, 2023 23:55:59 GMT
I keep going ‘off track’ and ruining the card base. Grrrrrr. I assume you stop as soon as possible after you go off track. Get back on track and finish the correct score. Then use the flat of your bone folder and burnish the oopsie out. I start on the bump side, switch to the innie side, then finish back on the bump side. It doesn't come out 100% perfect, but usually good enough. And if someone you send a card to points out that you had a scoring mishap, next time they get a card from Dollar Tree. Or none at all. |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 6, 2023 0:34:09 GMT
The trimmers that don’t cut square make me crazy! And it’s really easy to blame your own skills if you are just starting out. Glad you found a trimmer that works well for you  |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,605
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Post by kitbop on Dec 6, 2023 1:00:13 GMT
Restless Spirit - the score blade was so much easier than my scorboard. I hate "jumping the tracks"! Yes, it's the "precision craft trimmer", where the picture shows 2 black blades and 1 score blade in the promo pic. I don't want to link to it MerryMom because I hate linking to stores! Let's see if this works: 
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lindas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,286
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Post by lindas on Dec 6, 2023 1:03:41 GMT
kitbop is it the new Tim Holtz Precision Craft Trimmer? I’m quietly going batty trying to score 50 card bases using my Martha Stewart scoreboard. I don’t know if it’s the board, the scoring tool or me, but good grief. I keep going ‘off track’ and ruining the card base. Grrrrrr. Was the scoring blade as accurate as the cutting blade? The last thing on earth I need is yet another paper trimmer, but at this rate my Christmas cards are going to be New Years cards!!! I’m desperate! LOL I have that scoring board too and I couldn’t get a clean line with a bone folder. I switched to a stylus and haven’t had a problem since. |
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Post by huskermom98 on Dec 6, 2023 1:05:18 GMT
I still have a couple of blades for the old Stampin' Up trimmer (that I really really like) but have been keeping an eye out for a different trimmer when I run out of blades. This has been the one that excites me the most. I hear good things about the Creative Memories one, but don't want to be tied to a CM/SU type company for blades. A gal at my LSS that I trust for her opinions likes this Tim Holtz trimmer and let me see hers in the store, out of the packaging.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,564
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Post by MerryMom on Dec 6, 2023 1:49:09 GMT
The picture of the item is helpful,
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Post by artisticscrapper on Dec 6, 2023 2:57:00 GMT
Reasonably priced too. I might consider this after Christmas.
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laurap
Shy Member
Posts: 35
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Post by laurap on Dec 6, 2023 8:44:26 GMT
I agree with the review. I just got it this week and it cuts so well. And you don’t have to lift the rail every time to insert paper. It is raised and you push down to cut. It seems to almost catch the paper against the lines on the board to line up straight.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 6, 2023 13:58:04 GMT
I keep going ‘off track’ and ruining the card base. Grrrrrr. I assume you stop as soon as possible after you go off track. Get back on track and finish the correct score. Then use the flat of your bone folder and burnish the oopsie out. I start on the bump side, switch to the innie side, then finish back on the bump side. It doesn't come out 100% perfect, but usually good enough. And if someone you send a card to points out that you had a scoring mishap, next time they get a card from Dollar Tree. Or none at all. Thank you! I need to see if I can “rescue” some of my wonky bases with that technique! |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 6, 2023 14:02:50 GMT
kitbop . Thank you. I think that trimmer is in my future. (I’m embarrassed to say how many paper trimmers I own.) I’m going to justify the purchase by telling myself that I really don’t need it as a paper trimmer, but need it as a scoring tool. Ha. lindas Thanks for the stylus tip. I do have several with different size ball tips. I’m going to get one of those out today and try that. I think I have about 30 more card basis to score yet. Maybe this tip will get me “back on track”.
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Post by tinksmommy on Dec 6, 2023 16:13:50 GMT
I’ve had my TH Precision Trimmer for a couple of weeks and used it extensively at a retreat this past weekend. I absolutely love my Fiskars Procision but it is too big to lug to crops. It stays at home. My main trimmer for crops has been the Fiskars Deluxe Titanium Paper Trimmer with Aluminum Cut Rail which is excellent except for one big thing. You cannot hold your 12x12 paper in the middle while you cut. It depresses the platform and the blade won’t cut the middle of your paper. That was key to me on my TH trimmer. Would it be much on the same? I was sooooo happy to find the trimmer base is very sturdy and I can hold my paper in the middle with no worry. This is a firm platform. It cuts like butter! The blade has a pointy arrow on it which shows you where you are cutting. Perfection! I am able to slice off a teeny sliver of paper if I make an error which reminds me of the accuracy of the Procision. I love that it has a full measured 2 inches to the right of the blade. The 1/4 inch lines/grooves make measuring a breeze. I think I can finally rehome several of my excess crop trimmers. I’ve finally found the perfect one!
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 6, 2023 18:26:01 GMT
I don’t want to hijack the tread, but…. Successes & Failures: Success - As lindas suggested, I found a WRMK double ended embossing stylus in my stash of supplies. It worked beautifully to score the rest of my card bases. Thank you so much for the tip. I thought my problems were solved, and I really didn’t need to buy the new TH trimmer. And then…. Big Fail - I needed to cut my insert for the cards at 3 x 5-1/4. I hauled out my CutterPillar Pro because I like the large platform and the light. It wasn’t until I started stamping the inserts using a stamping platform, that I realized that the cuts were all slightly wonky and fuzzy on the edges. UGH. Now I am going to have to slightly trim all of the inserts to try to straighten them out and “sand” the edges that are “fuzzy”. Jeeze Louise. I also have been reminded why I get so frustrated by my CutterPillar Pro and why I have not used it in ages. I had forgotten how much it annoyed me. Ha. I think I am not going to wait, and I’m going to gift myself the new Tim Holtz, paper trimmer. I just need to find who has it for the best price AND has it in stock! |
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Post by MichyM on Dec 6, 2023 18:31:48 GMT
Thank you for your review. Just a note to others who may be shopping around for one. I went to SSS and then SB<dot>com and there is a $15 price difference between the two sites.  |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,199
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 6, 2023 18:58:34 GMT
The item that costs $15 more has a package of three spare blades in addition to the three included with the trimmer. The SSS price for just the trimmer is the same as SB.C's list price (though they have a discount).
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Post by papersilly on Dec 6, 2023 22:18:17 GMT
great review! you had me at SQUARE.
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Post by MichyM on Dec 7, 2023 2:56:05 GMT
The item that costs $15 more has a package of three spare blades in addition to the three included with the trimmer. The SSS price for just the trimmer is the same as SB.C's list price (though they have a discount). Thank you that makes more sense |
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Post by Margie on Dec 7, 2023 3:13:01 GMT
It's currently on sale for $26.24 at ACOT.
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Post by wendifful on Dec 7, 2023 4:36:20 GMT
As lindas suggested, I found a WRMK double ended embossing stylus in my stash of supplies. It worked beautifully to score the rest of my card bases. Thank you so much for the tip. I agree with both of you, I've had the best luck with my MS score board either with the original bone folder that came with it or a stylus. For actually reinforcing the fold, I use my Teflon bone folder, but it's too chunky to fit into the gaps in the scoreboard. Also, since we're talking about this, I thought I'd share a tip I discovered about scoring card bases (at least for A2 cards cut from 8.5x11). While you're cutting your paper, keep track of which side is the manufacturer cut side and which side you cut. When you go to score, use the manufacturer cut side to line up your paper against the lip of the score board. Usually the manufacturer side is more accurate than my cuts, so I don't end up with so many wonky card bases. (I score about a ream of cardstock all at the same time, so keeping track of edges is pretty easy done in bulk.) |
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,199
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 7, 2023 11:08:37 GMT
Scoring first and then cutting would accomplish that too.
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Post by artisticscrapper on Dec 8, 2023 3:55:37 GMT
I caved. The sale and discounted shipping was too good to pass up. I have the Fisker’s one with the wire but it blows through blades like crazy. The Creative Memories one is hard to line up the exact cut you want.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,681
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Post by Elsabelle on Dec 8, 2023 7:28:10 GMT
I caved. The sale and discounted shipping was too good to pass up. I have the Fisker’s one with the wire but it blows through blades like crazy. The Creative Memories one is hard to line up the exact cut you want. Where you did you find a sale and discounted shipping? |
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Post by Restless Spirit on Dec 8, 2023 17:40:01 GMT
I caved. The sale and discounted shipping was too good to pass up. I have the Fisker’s one with the wire but it blows through blades like crazy. The Creative Memories one is hard to line up the exact cut you want. Where you did you find a sale and discounted shipping? I’m wondering about this too.  ACOT has it on sale, but the almost $9 shipping is a bit steep. I think I’ll pass. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Dec 8, 2023 18:32:07 GMT
Thanks for this thread and the multiple reviews it contains. This trimmer has just gone right to the top of my crafty purchase list for 2024! |
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Post by artisticscrapper on Dec 9, 2023 3:36:29 GMT
I caved. The sale and discounted shipping was too good to pass up. I have the Fisker’s one with the wire but it blows through blades like crazy. The Creative Memories one is hard to line up the exact cut you want. Where you did you find a sale and discounted shipping? A Cherry on Top. I just checked and they’re sold out. They only had 9 left in stock when I bought mine. |
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Post by judyc on Dec 12, 2023 14:31:06 GMT
Thanks for the trimmer review and the info about the TH trimmer. I have struggled with finding an accurate and sharp trimmer forever (like the OP). I bought the TH Media trimmer this year and have been disappointed by both the inconsistency of smooth cuts and inability to line up the paper to the cutting edge as well as the fact it is hard to take off a sliver of paper - it just folds, but I am willing to give the TH Precision Trimmer a try. My primary trimmer is the 12" CM one that came out 3 or 4 years ago, and it has its own set of issues -- primarily, it's just hard to get it to cut through the paper without pressing really hard which wears out the Mat Strip under the blade pretty quickly.
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Shakti
Pearl Clutcher
Troubled, complicated, and constant
Posts: 3,199
Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Dec 15, 2023 12:37:47 GMT
Grumble, grumble. No, it's fine. Really. I'll just move the little Fiskars trimmer into my portable kit and store this one in my desk drawer where that one is now. I needed another one. Really.
Enablers!
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I just made 20 card bases so quickly with it, quicker than ever before. And the scoring blade worked as intended and saved me getting out the scorboard. The grid lines are etched in the surface, slender so easy to line up with. There is a special dotted etched line at 4.25 and 5.5...thank you Mr. Holtz! It measures out 2" on the right hand side as well. It cut very nicely. My *only* criticism is that there is no way to lock the plastic bar down when I'm storing it vertically, but I'll get by. 
