Tim holtz glass mat

I think it is the media mat, the grid lines and the work space on it, when the ruler comes out I think it is going to be awesome.
I have one and I love it.

The grid lines are what sold me on it. I love that it's so easy to clean.

My self healing cutting mats always stained and glue and ink was hard to clean off. And after a while they get kind of weird, like a strange color and texture.

I have the We R Memory Keepers glass mat that I bought to use with my Fuse tool. I don't use it with the Fuse (cardstock works much better!), but I do use it for almost everything else. The WRMK glass mat works great, and I bought it with a coupon at one of the big box stores. To each his/her own. I'd rather spend my money on other things.

I saw a video about the ruler earlier this year, but I forget ... does the ruler work with the mat to somehow function as a T-square? Like, is ther a clamp or a guide or something?

I could see that as an advantage for some over a plain glass mat.

I have a glass top desk but gridlines would be nice. This is thecdesk I use. www.amazon.com/dp/B001KWEYP4/ref=asc_df_B001KWEYP45435901/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B001KWEYP4&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167137626887&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4756911443586687640&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9018327&hvtargid=pla-196474519259

I have the glass mat created for the Slice.  I use it mostly for cutting.    It has a grid design as well.  The only difference I see with Tim's is his looks bigger:  mine is just big enough for a 12x12 grid.

Still using wax paper or plastic packing material or the occasional acetate transparency for mixing surfaces and I throw them away when they get dirty or lumpy.  I have long since disposed of my "craft mat" b/c I kept slicing it with my craft knife:  you might be able to iron out creases, but nothing much works for the cuts...

Haha good one.  Actually using the media mat has helped open up my work area.  I do tend to keep clutter off this surface.  It’s a mental thing.   I’ve never had a glass anything so this was new to me.  I wouldn’t have bought it though if I had a glasstop desk or some other perfectly good surface. The grid and the large size plus the ruler that will be out soon we’re selling points also. 

I have a different brand that is clear, and I like that I can put white paper underneath. The Tonic European version with centimeters is white, so it was disappointing to see the inches version come out in black. Tim Holtz and his love of all things dark, I suppose. I agree about the angle markings and inch marks on the ruler, too. Yes, maybe next time.

I probably missed this being mentioned, but I seem to remember in the video that if you rub ink on the glass mat, it doesn't bead up as much as regular glass? So there must be something different about it. I'll look for the video.

eta: maybe it was the silicone mat vs a regular craft mat. 

I have an old glass mat I bought years ago. I only use it with my craft blade and it slides right across the surface and makes for smoother cuts. When I use a craft blade with a regular cutting mat I always get it stuck in the mat.

The numbers would be upside down, but numbers are pretty easy to decipher upside down.  
I bought one for a lefty friend who does use it upside down and she says she loves it.

$20 wow, where?

I have the WRMK glass that I paid $10 for. I got it at Tuesday morning and I really like it. I don't want the rulers so I do plan on getting the TH glass one. It's bigger as well and since my craft table is in my family room a black one would look better than my green WRMK.