I think the choice of mat cutter is almost entirely a matter of how many mats you'll be doing per day (or week). The best ones (Fletcher, Easterly, Valiani, Phaedra Chronomat, C&H, Keencut Ultimat Gold) are more convenient than the less expensive Logan and Alto cutters, but the latter will produce mats of the same quality. I've managed to collect a number of cutters over the years, including a 60" C&H (very heavy to operate), a Phaedra Chronomat that I think is perhaps a bit better than the Fletcher (it's certainly flashier in appearance), two different Alto's systems, and an Albin Infinity (now out of business, but uses C&H parts and blades). I'd never attempt to use the Alto as a production machine, but even this least expensive alternative cuts great mats. If price is no object, the Easterly, the Fletcher, the Chronomat, and Valiani are the best, but not at all necessary unless one is doing many mats per week.
David V. Ward, Ph. D.
www.dvward.comDavid V. Ward Fine Art Photography