OLFA 18mm Rotary Cutter
Score: 88/100
Fiskars Softgrip Craft Knife
Score: 85/100Rankings
The OLFA RTY-4 is the smallest rotary cutter in the brand's lineup, featuring an 18mm blade designed specifically for intricate and detailed cutting tasks. It offers a quick-change blade mechanism and an ergonomic straight handle, making it ideal for precision work in quilting and crafts. It is best suited for quilters and crafters needing precision on small-scale projects.
The Fiskars Softgrip Craft Knife is an ergonomic precision cutting tool designed for detailed crafting tasks, featuring a full Softgrip handle and no-roll design for stability. It utilizes standard #11 blades to cut materials like paper, cardstock, vinyl, and thin plastics, prioritizing user comfort and control during extended use. It is best suited for hobbyist crafters and scrapbookers who need comfort over ultra-precision.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
18 mmbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 9.07 gbest | 22.68 g |
140 mm | 203.2 mmbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Blade & Cutting(2) | ||
Blade Type | Rotary | Standard #11 |
Blade Material | Stainless Steel | Metal |
Handle & Ergonomics(4) | ||
Handle Material | Plastic | Rubberized Plastic |
Handle Type | Straight | No-roll polygonal |
Overall Length (mm) | 140 mm | 203.2 mm |
Weight (g) | 9.07 g | 22.68 g |
Safety & Mechanism(2) | ||
Locking Mechanism | Two-stage | |
Blade Change Mechanism | Single-Click Quick-Change | Manual Swap |
Application & Support(3) | ||
Suitable Materials | Fabric, Paper, Craft Materials | Paper, Cardstock, Thin Plastic, Vinyl, Canvas |
Intended Use | Intricate Cutting | Crafting, Scrapbooking, Detail Cutting |
Warranty | Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Product testing with quilting, sewing, and craft instructors awarded the OLFA RTY-4 an A+ for intricate cutting tasks such as curved quilting, appliqué, template work, and scrapbooking.
Manufacturer and retailer descriptions emphasize reliability in professional testing, with no user feedback cited.
Professional reviewers and editors praise the Fiskars Softgrip Craft Knife for its excellent control and cushiony feel, positioning it as a top choice for precision crafting over basic utility knives. Experts highlight its superior comfort for prolonged sessions compared to slimmer models, though they note it is less ideal for fingertip-level micro-cuts.
Everyday users commonly praise the knife for fitting their hand perfectly and reducing fatigue during long projects, particularly for scrapbooking, photo trimming, and vinyl cuts. Recurring complaints include the rapid dulling of #11 blades on plastic and the perception that the 7.2-inch length is too long for tiny details compared to pen-style knives.
