The Self healing cutting mat, often overlooked and underrated but probably the most important item of any hobbyist’s toolbox. Let’s look at the top 7 things every cutting mat should have.
What to look for when buying a cutting mat.
You could buy a normal non healing cutting mat for as little as $8 but it will probably have to be replaced every 6 months as they are much thinner and don’t handle cuts very well. The self healing cutting mat, although more expensive, is the only way to go. (in my opinion)
A good self healing cutting mat should meet the following requirements:
- It should be double sided. What this means is that you can cut on either the front or back surface. Both front and back surfaces should have measurements and guidelines on them. Mats that can be used on both sides are better as they last much longer than single sided mats.
2. It should be non slip. This allows the mat to grip/ stick to your work surface when cutting. This will lessen the chances of cutting yourself if the mat does slip.
3. Should have measurements preferably in inches and millimetres. The mat should have various guidelines, measurements and angles imprinted on it.
4. Surface texture of the mat should be smooth and matt. If the surface is too smooth it can produce some glare and reflect light. This can cause strain on your eyes and inaccurate cutting. If the surface of the mat is too rough it might result in your blade snagging on the rough surface.
5.It should be a minimum of 3mm thick so that it can handle all kinds of cutting knives.
6. Should fit the size of your work area.
7. Should be easy to clean and washable to help extend the life of the mat.
If you would like to see what cutting mats are available on Amazon then here is a link to all the best cutting mats.
Tips for Storing your cutting mat.
- Always store your cutting board flat when not in use to prevent it from warping.
- Alternatively store it on a wall so that its stays flat and is out of the way.
- Always keep your mat out of direct sunlight as it may warp.
- Never fold, bend or roll your mat when stored. This will result in your mat becoming warped.
- Never try to iron on your cutting board flat as it will also cause it to warp.
- Do not leave your mat in the car in baking hot temperatures as the mat will warp. Once your mat is warped its very difficult
and sometimes impossible to get it flat again. - Never store the mat upright on the ground on its thin edge.
- Some mats should not be stored in very cold temperatures as they can crack and break
Conclusion
There you have it, all the info you need on a self healing cutting mats. Hopefully you can now make an informed choice when buying one. Hope you found the post useful and learned something new. Check out my post on how to flatten leather if you would like to learn a bit more.