Self-healing cutting mat

[PeterAit]

After a frustrating 10 minutes rooting around the garage for a piece of cardboard to use, I have decided it's time to get one of these mats. Any recommendations? Or, are they all pretty much the same in terms of quality and longevity? I am thinking the 24 x 48" size.

[hugowolf]

After a frustrating 10 minutes rooting around the garage for a piece of cardboard to use, I have decided it's time to get one of these mats. Any recommendations? Or, are they all pretty much the same in terms of quality and longevity? I am thinking the 24 x 48" size.

I don't remember seeing any at 24 x 48 inches. I have a Dahle/Advantage 36 x 48 inch and a Xacto 24 x 36 inch. The Dahle has a harder surface and is a little thinner, but it does cover slightly more than the stated size. The Xacto is slightly smaller than stated, and the printed guides are perhaps 22 x 34 inches. Neither look like they will wear out soon.

Brian A

[Ed Foster, Jr.]

Peter,

I have been using an Alvin BM2436 self healing cutting mat for over 10 years and it's still performing brilliantly.

Good Luck with you search,
Ed

[bill t.]

Have used this cheap matte for about two years now.  At least 1,500 Gator mounted prints trimmed with very aggressive cuts using a utility knife.  You can see every cut there on the surface of the matte, but by some miracle it still gives me clean cuts and no little sections of the matte have disattached leaving peaks and valleys.  There are much more expensive mattes available, but this one seems to do the job.  It covers the whole table and is an excellent work surface.  It's soft enough that I can safely lay picture frames and art face down on the surface, even in the cut-marked areas.

http://www.cutting-mats.net/large-cutting-mats.html

[David Sutton]

I haven't heard of any cutting mats that don't do a good job. My 24" x 36" Raeco continues to work well after some three years, except for a small spot where I was particularly savage with the knife.

[jimcamel]

I have 2, 24"x36" DeSerres about 3 years old.  Excellent results.  Not glued down so I can turn and flip them to give a longer or shorter length.  DeSerres claim this series helps to keep your blade sharper, longer.  I might believe that based on some other mats I've used.  Also, I do not get much 'skitter' on these - some others allowed my work to slide a bit while cutting.

[neile]

Take a look in your local Sunday paper for flyers from Michael's or Jo Anne Fabrics. Roughly every couple of weeks they put all their quilting notions on sale for 50% off. Then go in and buy the biggest quilter's self-healing mat you can find.

Alternatively each of those stores runs a 40% off single item coupon in every Sunday paper. Take that in and get one of the mats for 40% off.

Bonus: you can use it for quilting too!

Neil

[kaelaria]

That's exactly what I did - I have no idea what brand I have, it was on sale many years ago.  They just work, simple as that.

[Alan Goldhammer]

I bought my Alvin mat here http://www.dickblick.com/categories/cuttingmats/.  Dick Blick was the lowest price supplier and also have a bunch of other stuff as well (foam board, acid free matboard etc.)  Disclosure:  I'm just a happy customer and have no financial interest in the company.

[Jim Cole]

Another vote for Alvin. My large mat still looks and works like new after 8-9 years.