Being a left-handed crafter can be a challenge since the majority of crafting and hobby supplies are designed for right-handed people. This means that most craft stores only stock right-handed rotary cutters, right-handed scissors, and more right-handed items.
Using a right-handed rotary cutter is especially frustrating for lefties since you cannot really see where the blade is going to get a precise cut. This issue leads to poorly cut fabric that can affect how your final craft project will look! So what do you do if you’re lefthanded?
What are the best rotary cutters for left-handed people? The best left-handed rotary cutters are symmetrical cutters designed to be ambidextrous. You can also purchase an adjustable rotary cutter and switch the blade from the left to the right side of the handle, keeping it inward when cutting left-handed.
Fortunately, there are rotary cutters that can be adjusted to work with left-handed people. In this article, we will walk you through how to adjust your rotary cutter to make it left-handed, as well as recommend some of the best left-handed rotary cutters on the market today.
Rotary Cutters For Left-Handed People
Some rotary cutters have symmetrical designs, which are basically ambidextrous. Lefties don’t need to adjust anything to make symmetrical cutters work for them.
As long as you face the blade outwards when you hold it in your left hand, your symmetrical rotary cutter should work just fine. Many left-handed crafters are currently working with this option simply because it’s super accessible, and you don’t need to make any adjustments at all.
How to Adjust a Rotary Cutter to Make it Left-Handed
Many rotary cutters have handles that are designed for right-handers, so you will need to switch the blade around to make it work with your left hand. An adjustable rotary cutter means that the blade can be switched from the left side to the right side of the handle (this keeps it facing inward while cutting).
Before you attempt to adjust your rotary cutter, make sure that your rotary cutter is actually adjustable – it should say so on the package.
An adjustable rotary cutter should have the exact same design on both sides of the guard (which holds the blade). This means you can switch the blade from one side of the guard to the other and retain the rotary cutter’s functionality.
To prevent hurting yourself with a rotary blade, you can wear a pair of gloves and pay close attention when you follow these steps.
Step 1
Carefully unscrew the bolt in the middle of the circular blade that holds it in place. Be careful not to hurt yourself on the blade. If needed, use pliers, but normally an adjustable rotary cutter should unscrew with little effort.
Step 2
Remove all of the components, including the blade, while paying close attention to the order of assembly. Usually, in addition to the knob, there should be some fastening nuts after you unscrew the knob that helps secure the blade.
Step 3
Switch all of the components to the other side of the guard, putting the blade down first and then the other components, according to the order of assembly.
Some blades have measurements printed on one side, so you should make sure that side is facing outwards when you re-install the blade to make sure you can still take advantage of it after switching the blade around.
Step 4
Screw the blade tightly in place while making sure that the blade can still comfortably rotate as you cut.
And voila, it’s that easy! You now have a leftie rotary cutter that allows you to follow the blade and see where you’re going while you cut fabric!
Best Left-Handed/Adjustable Rotary Cutters
If you’re on the market for an effective symmetrical or adjustable rotary cutter, here are some of our best recommendations:
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | W.A. Portman Rotary Fabric Cutter | Adjustable contour cutter, steel blade, 45mm |
| 2. | Mr. Pen Fabric Rotary Cutter | Adjustable loop cutter, steel blade, 45mm |
| 3. | Cricut Rotary Cutter | Symmetrical, alloy steel blade, 45mm |
| 4. | OLFA Rotary Cutter | Symmetrical, straight handle, 60mm |
| 5. | Fiskars Crafts Rotary Cutter | Adjustable, titanium coated blade, 60mm |
We’ve also got more details on each so you can get the type and style of cutter to match your needs.
1. W.A. Portman Rotary Fabric Cutter
This adjustable rotary cutter comes with an ergonomic design that ensures your safety as well as comfortable use. There is a safety release that holds the blade in place when it is not in use, so you don’t hurt yourself by accident.
The blade is activated with a squeeze grip handle, and you’ll need to consistently hold it as you cut. When resting, the blade will retract safely back inside the guard. It won’t accidentally damage any fabric when you are not using it.
The blades are made of sharp and durable stainless steel, which is highly effective but still super lightweight. This sharp blade can cut through several layers of fabric with hardly any pressure at all, which makes cutting quite effortless and even enjoyable.
This package comes with five replacement blades, which you can install using similar steps as the instructions above. When your original blade goes dull, you can remove it and install a new one and enjoy a good-as-new rotary cutter.
This adjustable rotary cutter is convenient for righties and lefties alike. We recommend it as a cost-saving option, considering the replacement parts that are included in the package.
2. Mr. Pen Fabric Rotary Cutter
This Mr. Pen Fabric Cutter has a similar ergonomic design, with safety features that protect you and your fabric when it is not in use. When you use it, you can press down the handle to release the sharp blade.
We love this fabric cutter because it has measurements printed right on the blade, which tells you the length of the cut as you go. This feature is especially useful for tailoring fitted clothing since it will allow a precise cut that generates the best result for your work.
This package comes with one extra replacement blade for when the blade goes dull. The steel blade is extra strong and sharp, able to pierce through the thickest of fabrics with ease. The material also has quite a long use, so you won’t have to worry about replacing the blade after a while.
When adjusting the blade for left-handed use, you can follow the steps above to switch the blade to the other side of the guard, making sure that the measurements are facing outwards so that you can take advantage of this feature when you cut using your left hand!
3. Cricut Rotary Cutter
This compact, 45mm adjustable rotary cutter is quite lightweight and comfortable to use. For those who don’t love the perpetual pressure that you need to apply to cut with other rotary cutters, this design is definitely something you want to consider.
To cut, you simply need to slide down the blade cover to reveal the blade. Then, you can start cutting without pressing anything, which is quite convenient. To ensure your safety, always make sure to slide up the blade cover when it is not in use so that you don’t accidentally hurt yourself.
This design is super lightweight, convenient for quick cutting jobs. Don’t let the small size fool you – the premium carbon alloy steel blades are actually quite effective, so you can use it with a variety of materials and several layers of fabric with ease.
This rotary cutter is one of those that work with both lefties and righties without any adjustments, so if you just need a quick and easy option, this one is definitely a strong contender.
4. OLFA Straight Handle Rotary Cutter
This OLDA Straight Handle Rotary Cutter is another great, compact option for extended cutting without having to hold down a handle to release the blade. You only need to pull down the blade cover to reveal the blade and start using it!
This rotary cutter design comes in various sizes, the smallest being 28mm and the largest being 60mm. For fabric cutting, you can opt for common sizes such as 45mm or 60mm. The wide handle means that you can get a comfortable grip and easily guide your blade as you go without hurting your hand.
The blade is made of high-quality tungsten carbide tool steel, so you don’t have to worry about its effectiveness when cutting fabric. It can cut up to eight layers of fabric with ease. With this design, there’s also no need to switch the blade around for left-handed use. You just need to flip the blade to the right side when you hold it in your left hand, and it’s ready to use!
5. Fiskars Crafts Rotary Cutter
The Fiskars Comfort Loop Rotary Cutter is a really interesting design when it comes to rotary cutters since it features a large handle for a comfortable grip, designed for extended use. The 60mm blade is coated with titanium, making it super sharp and stronger than steel, allowing it to cut through thick materials like batting.
The blade release is located on top of the handle for easy access. The most notable feature of this design is the soft-grip handle that makes it easy to hold the cutter in your hand and guide it as you cut. When the rotary cutter is not in use, you can retract the blade for safe storage.
Of course, this rotary cutter can be adjusted to work with left-handed crafters. You will need to switch the blade to the other side of the guard, but it would not affect the features of the blade at all.
We recommend this rotary cutter because of its unique, comfortable design. If you are a professional sewer who needs a strong, effective and comfortable tool, this tool is definitely the one!
Up Next: How To Use A Rotary Cutter Without A Mat
