If you purchased this at a store TAKE IT BACK NOW! This tool is probably the #1 hated tool amoung scrappers. I have heard of a FEW people liking and using it but most everyone else HATES IT! Sorry. Try the new fiskers cutting system or better yet the coluzzle system, or CM cutting tool, I have heard good things about all of those products. Love Penny

Thank you Penny, at least now I know it's not just me. I've been struggling with that thing and so has my husband. Unfortunately I don't have the receipt any longer and it came in a combination pack with the circle cutter and mat, so I guess I own it. I can always use it just to draw ovals and then cut them out. If I figure out the 'magic trick' to it I'll let you all know.

Billie, Don't get discouraged with your oval cutter. I have cut some great ovals with it. I just cut an oval in an oval out of black paper, put some large circles and a red bow on it then mounted it over a really cute pic of my three year old niece with Minnie Mouse. It looks great. I have found that it does work best with heavier paper and especially on a cutting mat. I first tried it using a magazine as a mat and did get a lot of bunching of my paper. I have also discovered that it helps to sort of hold your paper while turning. I just got the guides a while ago and am enjoying it even more now that I know exactly where I am cutting. Keep trying, I know the investment that you have in that set. Good Luck, Mare

Another option to try if your still have this tool is to try using a piece of glass as your cutting mat surface. It is supposed to make it a little easier to use. Love Penny

Thanks guys, all great ideas to try. Like you said Mare, it's a decent investment. $39.95 for the combination circle and oval cutter with mat. It's one of those rainy Sundays... perfect for breaking out the piece of glass and heavier papar to give it a shot. Gosh, can't imagine cutting an oval inside an oval though.. lol

Thanks for your help! :)
Billie

I did it! :)
Thanks to your encouragement and suggestions I am now a 'pretty good' oval cutter. It's a matter of the right amount of pressure (not too much) and using the glass as a mat is so much better than the cutting mat. I found that I was putting far too much pressure on the blade so that's why I was digging into the mat and bunching the paper. Also, heavier paper works better than very thin papers. I still have a bit of a hit and miss with the start/finish but I'm hoping with practice I will get better.

Thanks a million :)

hello, I got the fiskars oval cutter one year ago and love it! you just need to practice with it, begin with the pen to draw ovals, then cut on light cardboard then on bad pics and you will be ready to have perfect ovals. I use it with a self healing mat. I find it easier if I am a little bit above the desk (I adjust my chair in a way my elbows are higher than my table: I am not sure to be clear!) and I use one finger to maintain the part of the picture between the blade and the center of the tool. really difficult to explain in my poor english, but not difficult to do!
I have got the circle cutter too, for 2 years, and really happy with it too.

Hi again, I bought a Glass Mat to use with the Bladerunner that I recently bought but haven't tried the Glass surface yet. Doesn't everything slip around and how do the blades stand up to the glass? I wonder if it would work with the Colluzzle Knife and templates. Has anyone tried this? Mare