UPDATE: WOW! After reading many of the comments by many of you below, it seems to be very successful! Others mention that sandpaper works better for them. Again, only use this tip if you are planning to discard the blade anyway and you want to experiment to make it last longer. Do not use this tip on blades that are already functioning well.
If you’re a crafter (especially if you sew) a rotary cutter is your friend. It might even be your favorite craft tool. Sometimes these are also referred to as a cutting wheel or hand wheel.
I will say that one of the most frustrating things is when you go to cut a piece of fabric and your blade is dull! You have to cut it about 3 times to make a cut and then it’s not a clean cut — it’s more like a ragged cut with strings.
Let me show you a tip on how to sharpen your rotary blade if you don’t have a rotary blade sharpener.
Keep in mind that this trick isn’t long-term, but if you’re going to throw your blade in the trash anyway it can’t hurt to try right? We all love the feel of a brand new blade that cuts like butter but this tip is a close second for me!
Oh, and please remember to always be careful when cutting anything with a rotary cutter!
INSTRUCTIONS
You’ll need:
- cutting mat
- heavy duty tin foil
- fabric scraps
Tear off a large piece of aluminum foil and fold it over a few times. I folded mine until I was cutting through about 6 layers.
Next, start cutting the tin foil many times.
To test it out, I keep some scrap fabric strips on hand and see if I sharpened it well enough.
Repeat the process until the blade is sharp.
This is very simple and really comes in handy when you have a dulled blade, you’re in a pinch, and don’t have any replacement blades on hand!
TIP: Some readers have said they use this same technique when sharpening other cutting tools like old pairs of scissors, paper punches, and Exacto knives, too!
My very favorite rotary blade and mats are by Olfa. Can you believe I’ve had the same Olfa cutter for 20 years!
I use a paper trimmer when it comes to paper crafts, but for fabric, these items are my go-to items (and these are off-limits to my family members similar to my favorite fabric scissors)!
They are a little more expensive than others but you are getting top-quality! I even dressed my daughter up for Halloween a few years ago and her costume was a hit!
Have you tried this tip? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
Be sure to check out these other sewing posts!
Thanks for a great tip. I’m about to do some cutting this afternoon and will give it a try.
Thanks for sharing the idea.
Thanks for idea.
I was thinking of sand paper, but this trick is much cheaper 😉
My grandmother cut fine sandpaper to sharpen her scissors.
Great 🙂
This is real neat! Have pinned this!
Thanks for sharning, great idea 🙂
Melanie
Can you use this technique with scissors as well? Great tip! Thanks!
I have heard this idea used to sharpen paper punches also.
Your trick worked! I went thru three rotary cutter blades while making masks. As a coincidence, my sister sent me your pin. Thanks for the tip!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
I am going add a folded piece of tin foil to the sewing kit I bring on retreats. I always have new blades in ther. But, I will try the foil next time.
I’ve also used wax paper to temporarily sharpen rotary cutter blades, paper cutter blades, and scissors. I’m interested to try aluminum foil and see which works better! Thanks for sharing!
This technique is really smart and efficient! Makes a blade sharp with no efforts. Thanks a lot!
Clever tip ~ thanks for sharing it!
Wonderful, I didn’t know that. Thank you. I actually do the same with my scissors too and it works. God bless.
Yay! Going to try this today! Oh, and y’all, those so-called rotary blade sharpeners that you can buy for a pretty penny…I haven’t found those to work at all! Save your pennies for aluminum foil ;).
I just tried this tonight. It helped well enough for me to finish the cutting goal I had set tonight, and who can ask for more than that? Thanks for the tip!
My guild owns a rotary blade sharpener. We tried it with several types/brands of blades. We had great luck with Olfa, but blades from China did not sharpen. There are different grades of steel so your mileage may vary using foil for sharpening.
Can’t wait to try this idea. Thanks for sharing.
Great idea. I will try it today. Thanks a lot
This makes sense since this is a useful tip tip to sharpen scrapbook punches!!!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Wow. What a great trick. I had my wife give this a try and it worked perfectly
Wow thanks! I get so frustrated when my blades dull and it becomes more tacting to do my cuts.
Thank you! This is an awesome fix. I’ll have to remember it the next time I’m living the struggle of a dull rotary cutter.
I am confused. I haven’t seen any tin-foil since WWII. All I have is aluminum foil. Will it work as well as tin-foil?
Hey Donna. Yes, aluminum foil is what was used we just call it “tin foil” around here, too.
Thanks for the ideas. Blades here are so expensive so any suggestion on how to make them last a little longer is very welcome.
Omigosh… I know this post if very old, but THANK YOU for this tip. I sharpened my rotary blade, then used the strips I cut to sharpen my scissors. ‘Cause I’m thrifty like that. 😛
Great Idea. I am going to try it today. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for the great tip. I have at least 20 old blades for my rotary cutter. I will try it and let you know. Thanks
This makes perfect sense. I use foil to sharpen my scissors why not those expensive blades. Thanks for the tip. I will try today!
Many many thanks! My mum tried it and says the blades are now better than new!!
Will this work on pinking shears?
This really works!!
Thanks for sharing I always wanted to no how to sharpen the blades. I will try this.
Thanks
love this tip use it for scissors also works well
I am going to try to sharpen my blades, with the foil
This was a hack way before hacks! Mama cut aluminum foil with her scissors to sharpen them. I also use it now to sharpen my small blades of my embroidery scissors to sharpen them ! Thanks for posting this hack.
I have tried this and it is good. But before throwing away those blades they still work well on paper crafts.
Thanks so much for sharing this tip!!! It really works. My Olga rotary cutters sharpened up immediately!
I hope this works. I have lots of dull blades. I have to make 60 napkins and 6 tablecloths for a wedding.