CARL Heavy Duty Rotary Paper Trimmer - 12238, Black/Silver, 18inch

I wish I got it on the first day it came out. It is such a time-saver and compared to cutting hundreds of card stock by hand, it is VERY SAFE TO USE. I was so impressed with it that I made a quick video. So here is what I found after doing a couple graphic design projects ‘in house’,, meaning I printed the job on my laser and then cut them myself. No printer was used for any services. We did this to save time and money on a small project.SIZE OF PRODUCT: There are four sizes: 12”, 15”, 18”, and 25”. I purchased the15”. The descriptions may not have the sizes correct so I used a ruler for you to get a pretty good idea of the 15” size. To me, it’s perfect. Any bigger and I might find it too bulky to store anywhere.CUTTING CARD STOCK: So, I had a small project to print 100 sheets that I then had to cut into equal thirds. I used Hammermill 80 lb card stock. What I found was that this little cutter can easily cut card stock. You can either push hard to cut through multiple sheets or do what I found was very helpful and easy. I move the cutter up and down several times till all the paper is cut. Just make sure none of them move into the cutting line/area. In my video, I cut about 6 or 7 sheets of that 80 lbs card stock but when I did my first 100 sheet project, I put about 10 sheets in at a time.CUT QUALITY: The cut is very clean and very straight. One of the reasons is because the gold/yellow piece gets pressed down onto the paper and very firmly holds the paper down while you are cutting. You literally do not have to touch the paper once you’ve locked the cutter in place. Since the paper doesn’t move, your cuts are clean and straight. Also, this baby allows you to change the blade. So, every time you change the blade, it’s like a new cutter. It also comes with one extra regular blade and at least one other specialty blade.SAFEY: If you have EVER used an exact knife/blade on multiple cuts, you know it’s not so safe. Over the years, I’ve cut my fingers and thumb while holding my straight edge firm on whatever I’m cutting. It was so nice to cut 100 sheets of paper and my fingers were completely safe! 👍 -and thumb!COMPARE TO GUILLOTINE TYPE: If you are on the fence and thinking about the guillotine type, read the reviews to some of those. The guillotine pushes the paper down so you get a sort of fan cut while cutting multiple sheets. Also, many of those do not allow you to replace the blade. I read one review on a guillotine type that lasts maybe 6 months but there was no blade replacement s it was no longer usable. That is what sold me on this one. The fact it holds the paper down securely was an awesome surprise.TIPS: Don’t try to cut through all the sheets at one time but glide up and down, especially for card stock. Keep moving the cut pieces out of the way. Create a guide to your cuts on a blank sheet if you are cutting a printed design/layout. For example, you want to cut 10 sheets of regular or card stock in half and it has to be pretty accurate. Instead of marking on one of your printouts, get a blank sheet of that same paper and mark where you want the cut. Place it on top of the sheets and use it as a guide. In my case, I had a project with 100 sheets that had the design I did printed via my laser printer. I needed all those 100 sheets cut in thirds because I laid out 3-up on a page. I took about 10 blank sheets and printed guide marks. I took about 10 or so sheets at a time and placed the blank/marked sheet on top and used it to help get very accurate cuts.This cutter took me seconds to figure out and saves a ton of time in cutting. I delivered the job to my client and he was so happy. We saved a ton of money and it actually saved me time because I didn’t need to run to the printer to drop off or pick up the. Job. For smaller projects, this is perfect.

I bought this, thinking it would pay for itself after a few projects. It’s 10 YEARS now and going strong. Using it all the time. Has cut through cardstock, chipboard, and other tough material. A go-to item in my studio. Paid for itself multiple times over. Indispensable, highly reliable, easy to use. One of the best art items I’ve ever bought. I may eventually move up to the 25 inch size, for large watercolor and print cuts, but this is fine for now.

I waited a few months to write a review. I have tried several cutters that I liked at first then found as I used them they lost favor with me. I wanted something to cut straight and leave clean lines. I was a bit worried that some of the reviews said it wouldn't do cut even after awhile. I found that true. HOWEVER, I had used it lots and realized with the volume of cutting, it might need a new blade. I replaced the blade and was good to go again. Since I work with paper in 4-5 hours per shift 4-6 days a week, I find that a blade lasts about 5 weeks. When the paper starts to get uneven cuts, I know it is time to change the blade. I am very happy with this purchase. It cuts thick, ultra thin and all the in-between thickness leaving that sharp clean cut I want. I have had a couple of trimmers equal in price that just seemed to wear out (one with a never replace blade, don't believe that tale, the one I had was tearing paper rather than cutting in two months). For the money, for the results, this has been my best results. The loading is sort of awkward at first (it has a lockdown step), but once I got used to it, it is great and I like it because once locked the paper does not move. Multi thick layers can slip (again especially if the blade is older), but it still cuts clean and with help the slip can be avoided. I would say it does not do sliver trim (like thread width) well, but I have never found a trimmer that does that well. Even with that I can say when I need to straighten a line cut it is the only one I have found that gives a cut that doesn't show a partial trim most of the time. I read some reviews on photo cutting, which isn't something I do. I have cut glossy photo paper and it did fine for me. In my experience cutting a lot of glitter paper seems to cause the blade to wear down faster (a lot to me is 75-100 cuts). I would buy this again, and have a stock of blades so I expect to use it for a long time. The cutting runner is usable 4 different ways, I turn that each time I change blades, just because I think it is good form to do so. Fresh blade, fresh runway seems like a good idea. I also like that the overall weight is not flimsy, yet not so heavy it takes everything to move it. It appears to be constructed well, I see no indication after months of use of any give or separation of parts anywhere.

If you’re debating whether to get a rotary trimmer or a guillotine paper cutter, get the rotary trimmer and get this one. I have slight OCD and my old paper trimmer was driving me crazy. I had to trim itty bitty slivers of edges off of some JCPenny photos which was impossible with my old guillotine paper cutter (crooked cuts and hard to sharpen/replace blade). This rotary cutter was soooo much more accurate, and the removable magnetic clamp bar ensures whatever your cutting doesn’t get pulled into the blade/prevents a crooked cut. I also love how easy it is to change the blade. I got the 18” cutter which is plenty big enough but still reasonably sized enough to fit on a regular-sized desk.The only slightly annoying thing was having the cutting mat constantly lifting up and having to clear the slivers stuck to it every time but I think that might have been due to the matte photo finish of what I was cutting; I didn’t have either problem when I was cutting regular laminated paper. I do wish the cutting mat was self healing but it probably allows for a more accurate cut without that kind of padding. At least they make it easy and cheap to replace parts if needed.

It cuts straight and smooth. The transparent clamping bar is incredibly convenient, allowing you to align paper edges and overhangs with high precision! This is a feature missing in most paper trimmers from other brands.However, the construction is quite fragile and requires careful handling. This cutter is more for hobbyists than professionals; it’s perfect for light use at home. If you need a more rugged and heavy-duty tool, you should look for pricier, all-metal models. Another downside is that it only has a single, hollow rectangular aluminum guide rail.My first unit actually broke on the second day of use because the transparent bar isn't secured firmly enough and snapped. Thankfully, the seller replaced it quickly with a new one. I now use this cutter daily, but with extra caution.

Excellent accurate and strong!I use this cutter for cutting book board in my paper arts business for making both books and boxes. It is strong and accurate, two or three passes cuts through heavy bookboard and is much safer than using a utility knife. It is tricky for narrow or small pieces but there are good work arounds for that and it hasn’t proven to be much of a challenge. Great price, great cutter - and replacing blades and cutting mat is simple and economical, especially with the extra pieces stored within the tool itself. And both the blades and cutting mats last a good long time, especially being able to reverse and use the cutting mat four different ways. Highly recommended!!!

I have only had this cutter for a couple of days, but I have cut several hundred squares with it in that time. While not without some flaws, this is the best trimmer I have used.After a couple of negative experiences with some cheaper trimmers, I bit the bullet and got this one. Yes, it is more expensive, but it is also better designed than the other ones I have used. It cuts very consistently and is accurate even when cutting through 20 sheets of 120gsm paper. Basically, this seems like a great paper cutter, so I will just outline the cons.CONS:* cost* the guides, while square with the blade and usable, are made from molded plastic and so they have a couple of small spots where they pull away from the guide edge by <1mm or so* the movable magnetic guide could be a little bit better made both in form to fit the side guides and in they way it is constructed (also molded plastic)* the light gathering plate, while useful, makes it very difficult to make cuts that are less than 3.5 inches wide, particularly if the amount you are trimming off is small* the ruling marks could be a little finer to make it easier to measure accurate cuts* the cutting mat strip seems like it may wear a bit quickly, but I did cut quite a lot of paper with it so farAside from these minor issues, this paper cutter works very well. I had read one complaint about the way the blade has to be locked and unlocked for every cut. This is true, but in the same way that my manual transmission car requires me to put it into gear and use the clutch every time I want to go anywhere. In both cases the upshot is better control.When locked down the guide held the paper securely and the blade cut effortlessly, requiring no downward pressure at all, although cutting many layers requires more than one pass.

I have used this for about 8 months now and feel it is time to write a review. I am a bookbinder and I specifically purchased this trimmer for that purpose. This isn't a quick cut tool. If you are looking for something where you can quickly put in a piece of paper, make a cut and go about your day, this isn't for you. If you're looking to make really accurate cuts from a pile of papers, this is definitely something you would be interested in.First off, it is heavy and isn't like a normal crafting trimmer. I've spent a bit of time in craft stores and around scrapbookers, card makers and various paper crafters. They have folding plastic trimmers that they carry with them everywhere. This isn't one of those. This is heavy, well made and not easily transported. It has its own table in my studio I love and respect it that much.Book board is difficult to cut by hand. I always have good intentions of using a metal ruler and a blade, but somehow I can't get straight cuts because my hand always slips. That is where this trimmer really earns its keep. I can make my original measurement with pencil marks onto the book board. Then I slide it under the bar and lock it into place. There is a magnet guide that is very useful. I simply slide that right up next to my book board and I never have to measure again for that particular cut. The trimmer slices right through paper, cardstock, chipboard and book board well.It does take a little getting used to at first. I was very comfortable with my other trimmer (Carl 12200 Bidex Professional 10-Sheet Rotary Trimmer, Metal Base, 12 x 11) and this one took a little while to get to know. Once I did, I realized this is one of those tools that I will have for life.It also comes with spare blades and a cutting mat. Book board tends to eat through the blades pretty fast, but I have found if I fold a large piece of aluminum foil 3 or 4 times and cut several strips, it sharpens my blade very well.

Its expensive but it works perfectly.

Excellent massicot… malheureusement, il est plus petit en profondeur que son prédécesseur et m’empêche de couper des pages 30x30cm malgré que ce soit un 15 pouces. Il fait bien 15 pouces en longueur mais pas en profondeur vu qu’il s’arrête à 29,5 cm.

Muy práctica, corta diversos materiales, por ejemplo la tela como si se tratara de papel.

I invested in this to perfect the colouring book I'd made for my littlest sister 🐾 It certainly did what it said on the tin! It sliced through 10 sheets of thin card plus 2 sheets of 300gsm gloss card with no issue at all.It takes a few slices up and down but it's not physically difficult whatsoever and it made quick work of this book, plus a couple other books I'd made with the same thickness! I popped the book in as is, which is 4mm thick when closed. I'm pretty confident it could handle thicker stock, too!The magnetic ruler is pretty awesome and the whole guillotine didn't slide about on my smooth wood table. The way you clamp the blade ruler down before use holds your work strongly in place, but I'd recommend holding it down yourself too to ensure maximum precision.I've only used it 3 or 4 times thus far so I can't comment on durability over years, but I should hope for the price and based on how sturdy it seems right now that it's gonna provide years of smooth.like.butter 😂

Easy to use. Cuts well - even the thicker board. Well designed paper holder. Would have been good to have the 13" paper guide length included on the markings rather than stopping at 11-12" as the 13"x19" paper sizes are well used by photographers and art printers.But well done to the designers of this product and their quality control. Only used it for a few weeks but exceeds my expectations as a fine art photographer wishing to reduce 24" roll paper down to 13x19" and other sizes for printing.The other amazing thing you could do.... include a fold-out extended measuring guide on the left side to help measure longer paper pieces so we don't have to measure and mark separately before cutting longer sheets.