Craft Forum

I am after a device to cut out shapes neatly.  To be used for scrapbooking or to create apertures in cards.  All i have seen is the x cut and the Fiskars shape cutter.  Both seem to get really mixed reviews although the Fiskars one seems to have more templates available.  What would people recomend: either of these or something completely different?

You may find info that helps here (Fiskars) and here (X-Cut)

Welcome to the fourm Rachel. Hope you are enjoying it here.

You could always try a die cut machine like the cuttlebug or sizzix big shot. You can then buy the dies for cutting and also embossing folders that make a raised design on your card.

I have got the shape cutters from Fiskars and X-Cut.

I have never used the Fiskars one much, as I often had ‘wiggly’ cutting lines. I found it difficult to avoid movement of the templates on the card. Circles, for example, were not 100% round.

For things like apertures I find the X-Cut system much better - especially as it holds the paper due to slightly sticky feet.

I have a fiskars and I never had a problem I think it is great, sorry dont
know about x-cut x

I personally don’t like my fiskars (I have the old model though) I can never get it to work.
But some people love theirs.
xx

Thanks for the help.

i went into my local card shop today and they had not used either but the showed me the cuttle bug machine and the impress and i think they are def not for me as they only do small card pieces and are quite pricey.  I think i will plump for a Fiskars or x-cut as they are more affordable and if i get them to work will do what i want it to do.  I guess it will be a case of practice makes perfect and if all else fails i can just use the templates and cut the shapes out!

I have a fiskars and had awful problems until I found out you need a special fiskars cutting mat to use it. Have one now and it works fine. Hope this helps

I used a fiskars one when working in a art shop and didn’t LOVE it but, it did the job I wanted it to do an that was the main thing so, if that’s what works for you and does what you want then fab! Just enjoy and have fun creating with it hunny. Looking forward to seeing what you make.

Natalie x

not sure if my fiskars one is the same.  Cheap and is an ergonomic disc the cutting designs are only about £3 a sheet for about 6 different designs/sizes on a A4 sheet.  I dont use any special cutting mat (must admit didnt realise there was a special one).  I love mine-I can cut card or paper and can place the area to be cut anywhere on the card (so is ideal for apertures).  I do agree that anti clockwise produces the best results and judge the depth to set the blade by cutting a piece of scrap in the same card. 
There are so many different types out there it can be difficult to choose.  I sometimes think that shopswould sell moreif you could have ago.
For example, I wouldnt recommend the fiskars eyelet setter (£10 wasted, would even cut a hole through newspaper), but if I could have had a go in a shop I could have bought a crop o dile instead.

Enjoy which one you choose and we look forward to seeing your makes

for a manual type system I still used my coluzzle - it does get good results - try You tube I am sure there are videos on there of people using them