Tim Holtz vs. CM trimmers

I really like my Tim Precision trimmer, but there have been some small issues with plastic around the track. I haven't had a lot of issues, but there's a post here about it.

I had my Fiskars for a long time and it worked well. It just stopped cutting straight after 5-6 years? And I spent a lot of time deciding on a new trimmer and went with the Tim Holtz.
The only thing I don't like is that the track piece is so large a piece under like an 1.5 inches is hard because it all ends up under the track cover.

I love my CM trimmer. It's the first one I've had that cuts straight.

I currently have 3 trimmers:

• A lightweight, relatively inexpensive Fiskars guillotine trimmer (only available at Club Scrap as near as I can tell), which cuts straight, but "fuzzes" a bit if I don't remember to pull the blade a little to the left (toward the platform) while cutting
• The Fiskars card making triple-track trimmer, which is very portable and does OK
• The TH Precision track trimmer, which cuts straight, but seems to take up more space on the desk than my guillotine! Also, I am one of the people who noticed weird plastic shavings in the groove where the blade runs Or at least I think I did.

Fiskars procision trimmer all the way for me - ten years later and still sharp and straight with zero blade replacements as it’s self sharpening - best $200 I ever spent in the craft room. On a pull out drawer, main downside is way too heavy to carry around

My main trimmer is a big Rotatrim. It's a beast but I thankfully have a dedicated spot for it. It's not something I would recommend if you need it to be easily moved/don't have a permanent home for it. Otherwise though it's pretty great. Not perfect, but good enough that I am quite happy with it. It doesn't have a high capacity and it can be finicky to get the paper lined up correctly to the top edge (I am not sure if it's slightly crooked or I just don't always line it up correctly even after using it for years), but it always gives the smoothest cuts and can go very very fine. I can work with the parts that aren't 100% for always getting perfectly smooth cuts and never having to change a blade.

I do have a small guillotine Fiskars that is nice for cuts on smaller pieces but it's not as well made and size is an obvious limitation. the clear plastic coating on the bed of it bubbled up a bit long ago, doesn't seem to get in the way but to me is a sign of poor build quality.

I'm a Fiskar's fan, so no help there. But what are you looking for in a trimmer? Portability? Longevity? Rotary, guillotine, or "pointy" blade? Is accuracy your goal or is close enough good enough? What is it about your current cutter that you dislike?

I have some Fiskars, with the wire and triple tract. They work ok. When they get wonky, I cut up some aluminum foil. Seems to help.
I also have a CM. The blue one that costs about $50. I like it a lot. I guess I just feel more comfortable using my orange fiskars. The CM cuts straight.

I’ve been using my Fiskars for maybe 8 years now and I can’t complain. I don’t think they make it anymore but it’s a rotary cutter with a swing out arm. I have replaced the blade a few times and the track once and although we argue, I can’t quit the thing. There was a whole debacle a few years ago where I was so frustrated because no matter what I did, it wouldn’t cut straight. I honestly thought I was crazy and was about to get a new trimmer. Then I realized the paper pad I was cutting was cut totally crooked. Since then, I haven’t had an issue and based on the stories I’ve read here about issues with trimmers, I’m going to hold on to it as long as I can.
I can’t cut slivers of paper but I usually use my little Tonic guillotine for that anyway so as long as I remember it’s limits (and stop trying to cut crooked paper) it works for me.

I think you'll really like it.  Just remember to turn the mat when it gets worn.  It has 4 uses then you need a new one.

Thanks, pbw.

The cutter isn't very heavy....IMO. The blades are very easy to change. You just lift the lid of the blade holder, pull out the blade, put the new one in, and shut the lid. The blades and extra mats store underneath the trimmer. The scoring blade does a good job. You have to be careful or you could cut your paper if you push too hard. I can't compare it to Tim's since I've never used that one.

As it turns out, CM's site is one of those that doesn't like Safari on MacOS. I found the trimmer this morning on my iPad and can't find it again now on my laptop :-(

It's tempting to give it a try.

Looking it the measurements, the 5.5 mark might be hard to find and you need the arm open for it. For card making I think its best if both 4.25 and 5.5 measurements are on the base without messing with the arm. But this is only my opinion and just wanted to bring your attention to it.