With use, all rotary blades can become dull, which is why we need the help of the best rotary blade sharpener.
Instead of traditional modes of cutting like a pair of scissors, some professionals prefer to work with rotary blades, which are actually more accurate in cutting straight lines and specific shapes on fabric.
Not just fabrics, rotary blades can also be used to cut paper and leather, as well as other thicker and stiffer materials.
No wonder rotary blades lose their sharpness and edge over time, and need a good rotary blade sharpener.
Instead of rehappening your rotary blades which is very easy to do with a sharpener, the other option would be to keep on buying new blades – not a very economy-friendly concept.
With the help of the best rotary blade sharpener, you can keep on using the same blades for years and years.
Best 7 Rotary Blade Sharpener Reviews and guide
There are many different kinds of rotary blade sharpeners available in the market, but only a few will be perfect for professionals and serious crafters.
1. Colonial Needle 45mm Rotary Blade Sharpener
Like all the best rotary blade sharpeners, this sharpener from Colonial Needle is a tiny little thing, not more than 6.1”x1.2”x 6.5” in diameter. This is a dual rotary sharpener that fits any rotary blades that are 45mm or under 45mm.
This is a manual rotary blade sharpener that can last up to 6 months when used regularly and extensively. It effectively extends the life of any rotary blade (45mm and under) without any electricity or batteries.
If not as good as new, this simple and affordable rotary blade sharpener can make your blades sharper and edgier than before, almost as the blades were as a new purchase.
Features:
- Fits any rotary blade of and under 45mm
- Manual operation; doesn’t require electricity or batteries
- Not suitable for decorative edges
- Emoves dull spots and small burrs from used rotary blades
- Disk lasts more than 6 months with heavy and everyday use
- Sharpens any rotary blade effectively and quickly
2. TrueSharp 2 Rotary Blade Sharpener
From TrueCut, this is a rotary blade sharpener that runs on electricity and can sharpen rotary blades of most brands, including blades that are 28mm, 45mm and 60mm in diameter.
Since it works on electricity, this sharpener is extremely fast and thorough, and can last a long time with regular use.
At a slightly higher price range than most other manual rotary blade sharpeners, this set also includes two Diamond Grit Sharpening Stones that can be used to manually sharpen all kinds of blades to make them last longer and better.
This set also includes cleaning cloth and blade sharpening oil.
With just a push of a button, you can instantly sharpen your rotary blades safely, as the sharpener comes with a lid.
Features:
- Automatic operation; comes with a AC power cord to run
- Sharpens rotary blades of most brands
- Can sharpen all blades that are 28mm, 45mm and 60mm in diameter
- Extremely fast and thorough
- Can last a long time with regular use
- Includes two Diamond Grit Sharpening Stones
- Includes cleaning cloth and blade sharpening oil
- Safe to operate
3.TrueCut TrueSharp Linear Sharpener Notion
This is a very simple rotary blade sharpener from Truscott, quite unlike the other circular ones we see available in the market. This is a linear sharpener, a long tool that is 10.2”x4.5”x1.0” in diameter.
It works with most rotary blades that are 28mm to 60mm in diameter, and blades from most brands and models.
This linear rotary blade sharpener works extremely fast and is safe to use. You won’t have to remove the blades from the rotary cutters to sharpen them.
This makes it easier to use this sharpener; you can sharpen your dull blades in the middle of using it without having to stop to remove the blade from the cutter.
The same easy motion that is required to cut your fabric with the rotary cutter is needed to sharpen the blade.
Features:
- Linear rotary blade sharpener
- Tool diameter: 10.2” x 4.5” x 1.0”
- Fits rotary blades of all brands and models
- Fits all kinds of blades that are 28mm, 45mm and 60mm in diameter
- Extremely fast to sharpen
- Rotary blade doesn’t need to be removed from the rotary cutter
- Safe to use anytime
- Requires same motion as cutting fabric or paper with rotary cutter
- Can be used anytime and anywhere
4. Quilting Bear Premium Universal Rotary Blade Sharpener
A new rotary blade sharpener from Quilted Bear, the makers of renowned crafting tools in the world.
This is a simple tool that is easy to use without the need for any batteries or electricity; it is a manual tool that quickly restores your dull rotary blades to its original sharpness.
This rotary blade sharpener comes with a magnetic stick so that you don’t have to hold the blade by hand.
The magnetic stick can be used to place the blade into the sharpener, as well as to pick it up can sharpen both 28mm and 45mm blades in this sharpener from most brands and models.
Features:
- Small and simple rotary blade sharpener
- Manual operation; doesn’t need batteries or operation
- Fits all kinds of blades that are 28mm and 45mm in diameter
- Fast and safe to use
- Comes with a magnetic stick to pick up and handle blade
- Blade doesn’t need to be handled with hands
- Quickly restores blade to original sharpness
5.TrueCut TrueSharp Power Sharpener
With this one new sharpener from Truscott, you won’t have to waste your money on any new rotary blades.
By sharpening your dull blades in this sharpener, your blades will be restored to its original sharpness in no time, saving you lots of money on blades. Simply by pushing a button, you can sharpen your blades in no time at all.
This power sharpener can be used with rotary blades that are 28mm, 45mm and 60mm in diameter. With the powerful and indestructible sharpening stones placed inside the sharpener, your dulled blades will become sharp again instantly.
The enhanced motor of the machine makes it possible to sharpen any blade in half the time needed by regular sharpeners.
This power sharpener works with electricity, and the blades in this machine rotates twice as fast as the previous models, allowing more constant sharpening of blades.
Features:
- Mechanical power sharpener, works with electricity
- Fits all kinds of blades that are 28mm, 45mm and 60mm in diameter
- Comes with two Diamond Cut sharpening stones
- Sharpens blades in half the time
- Enhanced motor rotates twice as fast than any regular blade
- Consistent and effortless sharpening
- Long lasting machine can be used countless of times
- Works simply by pushing a button
6. Omnigrid Rotary Cutter Dual Sharpener
Small and compact, this is a manual sharpener from Colonial Needle that can be used to sharpen any blades that are 45mm in diameter. It is a very simple tool, one that you can use with your hands without any batteries or electricity.
All you need to do is to place the blade inside, cover it and twist the two lids with your hands. The blades inside will sharpen quickly and effortlessly without having to do anything.
The product is only 6.25” x 1.25” x 3.88” – a very small unit that is affordable and easy to use. In just a few twists and turns, your dull blades will be as sharp as new, if nor more.
Features:
- Simple manual operations, works with just by twisting the covers
- Product dimension: 6.25” x 1.25” x 3.88”
- Fits blades that are 45mm in diameter
- Easy and fast to use
- Sharpens dull blades to make them as sharp as new blades
- Affordable, compact and simple
What to Look for While Buying a Rotary Blade Sharpener?
Rotary blade sharpeners are very simple tools, but they can be quite important when you are in the middle of a project and your rotary blade becomes dull.
Although all rotary blades are almost the same in all aspects, there are some features you need to look for in the one you buy.
1. Size
Most rotary blade sharpeners are small, but there are also some variants in them. The sharpeners that work on electricity are slightly larger than the manual ones.
Even among the manual rotary blade sharpeners, there are some that aren’t much larger than the blades themselves.
Among the list above, the largest rotary blade sharpener is the TrueSharp 2 Rotary Blade Sharpener, which is built like a machine whereas there are some that aren’t much larger than the blades used in them to sharpen.
2. Operation Process
When it comes to operating the sharpeners, there are two types available: manual and electricity-based. Of course, the ones that run on electricity are much faster than the manual ones, and they cost more as well.
The manual ones are small and simple; usually, you have to place the rotary blade inside the sharpener and close the lid.
Then, with your hands, the cover lid of the sharpener needs to be twisted and turned for the blade inside to be manually sharpened. The TrueCut TrueSharp Linear Sharpener Notion, on the other hand, is a different kind of rotary blade sharpener.
It is long and linear, with two pieces of sharpening stones in the middle. The rotary blade needs to be placed inside the sharpener and rolled, just like when cutting fabric.
Electrical rotary blade sharpeners, like the TrueCut TrueSharp Power Sharpener, need the blade to be placed inside the sharpener and the lid to be closed.
With just a push of a button, the sharpener will start to work and the blades will be automatically sharpened.
3. Versatility
Some rotary blades, like the Omnigrid Rotary Cutter Dual Sharpener, can be used to sharpen only blades that are 28mm in diameter. This is a small and affordable rotary blade sharpener, but not one that is very versatile.
On the other hand, most other sharpeners can be used for blades that are 28mm, 45mm and 60mm in diameter.
The more versatile these sharpeners are, the more you can use them to sharpen all kinds of blades you have in your collection.
4.Safety
With most sharpeners, you need to remove the rotary blade from the rotary cutter and then place them inside the sharpener.
Since rotary blades are always extremely sharp, especially after they have been sharpened, this is not a very easy operation.
In fact, it is quite dangerous to handle the blades with our hands without any protective gear.
With the TrueCut TrueSharp Linear Sharpener Notion, you won’t have to remove the blade from the rotary cutter.
In fact, this is an extremely easy process where the rotary blade has to be rolled between the sharpening stones placed inside the sharpener, while still in the cutter.
This makes it possible to sharpen your dull rotary blades at any moment, even when you are in the middle of a project and sing your rotary cutter at that time.
With the Quilting Bear Premium Universal Rotary Blade Sharpener, you get a magnetic stick with the set. With the use of this magnetic stick, you won’t have to use your hands to handle the blade.
The magnetic stick will hold on to the blade fast and you won’t have to risk your fingers both when using the dull and the newly sharpened blade.
These are the special and important features that need to be present in your rotary blade sharpener when you are choosing the right one for yourself.
Can I sharpen my Rotary Cutter Blade?
There’s two things that you can do with your rotary blade cutters: you can throw them out when they become dull with use, or you can sharpen them and use the same blade for years.
Now, of course you can keep replacing your rotary cutters once they show signs of wear and dullness.
However, that would be both costly and a waste of time. Instead, you can sharpen your blades at home very easily by using a rotary blade sharpener.
The best rotary blade sharpeners are easily available everywhere and quite affordable. Even regularly and extensively used, each of these sharpeners will last for months.
Using these rotary blade sharpeners to sharpen your blades isn’t much different than sharpening a pencil. You just need to remove the blade from the rotary cutter and place them inside the sharpener.
Depending on the type of sharpener you are using, the machine will automatically or manually sharpen your dull rotary blades in a few seconds. The process is extremely easy.
If you have a rotary blade sharpener at home, you won’t need to throw away your dull rotary blades or keep on buying newer and sharper ones.
You can easily sharpen most types of rotary blades with these best rotary blade sharpeners by yourself at home.
How can you Sharpen a Rotary Cutter at home?
If your rotary cutter blade has become dull and blunt, and has lost all its edginess from being used regularly, you won’t have to throw them away or replace them with new ones.
With a rotary blade sharpener – a simple, small and easy to use tool – you can easily sharpen your dull rotary cutter blades at home.
Most rotary cutters work on similar principals. With most designs, you have to remove the blades from the rotary cutters and place them inside the sharpener.
If the sharpener is an electric one, it will automatically sharpen your blade with the push of a button.
With an electric sharpener, sharpening your rotary blades will be fast and easy, as easy as simply placing your blade inside the sharpener and pushing a button.
Manual rotary blade sharpeners are also easy to use, but they require some handiwork. These are relatively simple tools that don’t require any electricity supply or batteries.
You need to either place the blade inside the sharper and twist on the cover to sharpen it, or the rotary blade needs to be rolled between the sharpening stones placed inside the sharpener.
If you have a rotary blade sharpener at home, whichever type it is, you can easily sharpen your dulled rotary blades instead of having to throw your dull blades away.
How Often should you Sharpen your Rotary Cutter Blades?
Ideally, your rotary blades should be sharpened every time they seem a little dull, which depends on your use.
For cutting your fabrics, your rotary cutters need to be as sharp as possible, for which you need either new blades or newly sharpened blades.
It is also a good idea to sharpen your rotary blade every time you start to work with them.
Since sharpening your rotary blades will make them almost as sharp as they were when new, they will be much more helpful in cutting any kind of fabric in your projects.
Conclusion
Although a very small tool compared to everything else you’ll need in sewing and crafting, a rotary blade sharpener is still a very important part of your work table.
The best rotary blade sharpener will not just make your work easier and faster, it will also save you a lot of money and time in the long term.