Tim Holtz 12.5" Rotary Media Trimmer Paper Cutter

Although the plastic tab to hold paper is a little annoying, this is a very well made tool that cuts accurately. My experience with sliding trimmers always has been bad, with the blade guide bending on the plastic guide, so a rotary trimmer with a metal guide was the next step and this tool delivers. Recommend over sliding trimmers and gullotines.

This was supposed to be the trimmer of my dreams but turned out to be not so perfect. When it cuts it's like cutting butter. Unfortunately, when it doesn't it is awful. I only cut one sheet at a time of 110lb or 80lb. paper, it will cut beautiful for a few sheets then it just shreds the edges. This happened almost immediately from the first time using it. I would love to hear from others if they are experiencing the same problem. I'm meticulous about lining everything up and using the paper holder to keep the paper firmly in place. As you know this is not a cheap trimmer! I don't know what hurts more. the cutting problem or the complete disappointment. I was expecting so much more. :-( I bought this Tonic trimmer through Simon Says Stamps.

I did get this for a discounted sale price for my sister’s birthday. At the time I thought, “idk why she wants this thing, she probably got at least 4 paper trimmers”. Let me tell you, this thing is a beast. And, I doesn’t complain about cutting anything! Super easy, super nice to use AND for those of us who are annoyed at having to lift the bar every single time the darn thing is used? The Tim Boltzmann 12.5” rotary media paper trimmer doesn’t have that issue! Enough gushing lol. It’s a great cutter, you won’t be disappointed buying it.

Customer Service was immediately helpful in missing part response. I just sent pictures and they helped me with a speedy return!

In one year I replace the blade twice hoping to solve the problem, but it still cuts paper very poorly, leaving rough edges, waste of money and time.

This trimmer looked like a dream when I watched the Tim Holtz video demo of it on youtube, so I had to ponder it for quite a while as the price was out of my budget. Then, it went on sale and I decided to go for it. I was SO EXCITED when it arrived and the first few cuts were fabulous. I do not do mixed media projects too often, but was invited to a mixed media class and was thrilled to have my new trimmer in tow since Tim said it can handle heavier cardstock and even cut multiple pieces at a time. It seemed to work for the first few cuts but then I noticed the frayed edge showing up. I followed the directions to push the blade to the left against the metal, but didn't have much success with that. What's worse, is that I mostly use 80-100lb cardstock for my card-making projects and now I can barely get a straight cut at all. Seems that if I go REALLY SLOWLY, concentrating on pushing the blade left, I will maybe get 1 piece out of 10 that is a perfect cut. For the money it costs, it shouldn't be this difficult to operate and it should do what Tim said it does in his video. I read the other reviews and was also frustrated about the missing ruler ticks around the 6" mark and right in the beginning for those tiny strips that are sometimes used. I noticed that it is hard to determine exactly where the cut will occur, which stinks, because I am very particular with precise measurements for my projects. I did just send an email to customer service regarding all this. I was sort of hoping it was the blade itself and if they replaced it, maybe it would be fine? However, after reading reviews, I am afraid that might not be the case. Tonic should go back to the engineers and share all these comments so they can tweak it and fix what is making it a problem for their customers since they have a reputation of having great tools, you would think they would be the FIRST to get working on the issues. Sadly disappointed in Wisconsin....

Not impressed ... I went in with knowing Kathy King from Paper Phenomenon's review knowing it has pros and cons but everything does right?
Well let's start with the blade mechanism. I had this about 3 months now and have had to call Tonic Studios to get a full replacement. It started jamming and making a God awful noise. It took them about 4 business days to decide what they will do then they shipped me a new one. This is extremely hard to see exactly where you're cutting when you pull the blade towards you. When pushing the blade you have to eyeball where you want your cut with the edge. You also have a gutter area where the small papers fall into under the blade. I'm always having to stop and clean out the small pieces. You also have to hold down the clear plastic piece to make sure you get a straight cut.
As for the ruler From 6" to 6.5" you have to kind of guess. You can't cut anything from 1" or smaller I guess I expected alot more thought would've been behind this coming from Tim Holtz and Tonic Studios. With the price and the names behind It it's just a huge let down. Now to find a trimmer to cut small pieces

Tonic’s customer service is great—helping me “learn” how to use the 12.5 inch rotary cutter. There is a learning curve for me and I am still working to make a clear cut every time when using this cutter.

Studied this trimmer for some time, especially all the purchase comments and Tonic's sale finally convinced me it was the one for those long days of cutting card bases. Not disappointed. Also discovered most negatives were not using Tim's comment to slant the blade cartridge to the left so starting out with it that way I am getting nothing but perfect cuts. Also LOVE the markings for all major card cutting tasks!

Not impressed, I was thinking of returning as it leaves the cut edge frayed if I try and cut more than 2 pieces at a time. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

First I am a paper trimmer guru-self acclaimed! I have had 3 Tim Holtz guillotine trimmers and every one tore the paper as you neared the bottom edge. I could see why so idk how quality control couldn’t , but there was a gap where the blades met at the bottom. But after 3 exchanges I was tired of fighting. I went back to my 30 year old paper trimmer which I prefer because there’s no guard. I like to use it for very narrow strips so I can’t do that with the guard on. This trimmer is Everything! It glides so easily, you don’t need to squeeze the handle into the trimmer to get the blades to make constant contact, and I was able to easily take the guard off so I can do small strips. I’m not a child and know how to keep my fingers clear. It’s extremely lightweight and the swing arms are great for 12x12 paper! It also sits very solidly on the surface! Everything! Things happen and often to me so the first one I ordered cut a very rough edge. I took photos and sent them in and they instantly replaced it for me and apologized. The second one is great! I do think it seems like it got sharper after I few glides. I could not be happier with this wonderful trimmer! And the CS was fantastic! I also got it on sale which was 1/2 off! And the only way I ever could’ve afforded it! Thank you Tonic!

I've attempted to get some response from Tonic on three separate occasions. I can't get anyone to answer if I have a problem with my trimmer or not. Can I repair it? Does it need repair? Sure would be nice to know. High priced item without any support or follow up. Help would be appreciated.

I love it. Its Super sharp

This would be a perfect trimmer except there is a small space where the measurements aren't continuously marked. It's between 1/4 - 1/2 inch of space not marked, but it makes it irritating when you need a measurement in that specific area. There are much cheaper trimmers that don't have that problem. They should've thought about that when it was designed. I wanted to return it, but I threw away the box and honestly didn't notice the missing markings until I needed a measurement in that area. I was told I couldn't return it without the box.

I've tried all sorts of trimmers and cutters in my crafting journey but no kidding, this is the absolute best! It's so easy to operate and so gentle on my arthritic fingers. It's worth every penny. buy it--you won't regret it!

Love it!

As with any craft, I don't feel there is one tool that will do every job. (A woodworker has many saws for different projects. We have many pans in our kitchen.) I love this trimmer for cutting heavier paper, I cut a lot of watercolor paper and it works great. You just have to remember to tip the blade in toward the metal. Also this trimmer works great when you just need to trim the smallest amount off. It will nicely cut the tiniest trim. But as far as cutting precise cuts, it's too hard to see where you're cutting. If you're measuring it works but if you have a design that you're trimming down you can't see where the cut will be. I use my smaller trimmer for those jobs.

I was so excited to purchase this trimmer. However, almost immediately, I was disappointed. The edges of my cuts are rough and jagged. I do not recommend this trimmer, especially for the price.

I don't think I would recommend this trimmer

I have the two Tonic guillotine cutters and they work great, however, the rotary cutter is difficult to get consistent cuts. It cuts very rough in one direction, almost all the the time, so I can’t use it to cut in both directions. It is also very difficult to see the cutting edge to line up with a pencil mark on the cardstock. I would return it but I bought it online and the shipping is too expensive.

After cutting lots of scrap yardstick I figured out that you need to apply a lot of pressure on the rotary blade to ensure that the blade turns and you get a clean cut. If you find that your cuts look ragged, try pushing down on the blade as you make your cut. I was able to cleanly cut many different thicknesses of card stock, multimedia paper, water color paper and even cardboard.

There is a small range of yardstick that the trimmer will cut without shredding the paper. Heavy cardstock 80 lb and up does not cut cleanly. The paper looks like it was ripped and not cut. Thin paper won't cut at all. The Tim Holtz guillotine trimmer is better investment.

Need to get use to it

I'm very disappointed in this trimmer. It is too lightweight for my needs. I used it one time and put it away. Plus I didn't even get a straight, smooth cut with it. I will be returning this item.

Works great going one way, but not the other, despite all troubleshooting. Returning.

Finally a cutter with features I want and fits the small space I have to work with.

Love this trimmer! Smooth cuts every time. Worth every cent.