*Overview*
Marigold Technology, Inc’s 12” Professional Titanium Rotary Paper Trimmer Cutter is marketed as an affordable option for those cutting 10 sheets of 20 lb paper or less at a time, as well as those individuals designing crafts.
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*Unboxing*
This Paper Trimmer came in a rectangular-shaped box. While there wasn’t any Styrofoam or other protective material, this paper cutter did not need it, as it is very sturdily-built. There are no instructions, as this is a very straightforward product.
*Design*
Marigold’s paper cutter is designed quite well. The sloped plastic ends on each side make holding the cutter while cutting ergonomically-pleasing. The titanium cutting board also features precise measurements to ensure you get a perfect cut each time.
If you really wanted to, you could carry this cutter by the sliding rod, although you should be sure to ensure that the cutting blade is situated at one end of either side. I’ll focus more on that directly below.
*Safety*
This is without a doubt the biggest priority with these types of cutters. For the most part, I would not be concerned about anyone cutting their fingers on this cutter, as the blade is very well-encased between the titanium sliding rod and base.
However, the one flaw that contradicts Marigold’s claim of a “no touch safety design” was the fact that you could still injure your fingers if you or a curious child was holding the rod while it was cutting. In a next iteration of this product, there should be a rod directly behind the blade. Perhaps the plastic guider could be extended-back some?
The exposed blade
However, I feel that it would be pretty hard to cut yourself with this cutter. First of all, unless you really weren’t paying attention, it would be ergonomically-awkward to hold the cutter from behind. This holds true because the weight would not be spaced-out properly, since the cutter would literally tip-over forwards. My natural instinct would be to press on either of the sides. Finally, this cutter-type is much safer around children than it is with the guillotine-style cutters.
*Build Quality*
I was very-impressed by this paper cutter’s build-quality. If there’s one thing that makes me wish for the “good old days” of consumer product, it would definitely be that less products were made of plastic in the past. While this product has some plastic elements, it does not feel cheap at all. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this paper cutter blends quality workmanship with lightweight, durable plastic.
The one aspect that immediately became apparent when testing the cutter was that it is quite stiff. When you move the cutter tab across the cutter body, it makes a very quiet cutting noise. I would expect to hear such a cutting noise when this cutter is actually cutting paper, but this isn’t the case. I do wish that this cutter included oil, but that’s an easy fix and I don’t think it would necessarily detract from the product’s build quality.
When cutting paper, you will definitely need to make sure that you use your other hand to hold on to the trimmer itself. If you need something more stationary, I wouldn’t say you have to look very far, as you can easily get some double-sided Velcro or magnets to hold this cutter in place.
As a bonus, the cutter can be replaced, which definitely makes me think this cutter will last a very long time if the user takes care of it properly.
*Value*
The weakest selling point for this Marigold cutter is it’s price. You can purchase the cutter on Amazon or on Marigold’s website for $25.
However, this product has some pretty stiff competition in terms of cutters with very similar specs, build quality, and with a cheaper price-tag. Some of the better options for rotary-style cutters were between $10-$15.
*Verdict*
4.5/5 Stars – The Marigold 12″ rotary cutter is a solid choice for any home office or craft corner. The build-quality is excellent and the performance is rock-solid. However, you’ll want to oil this cutter before use, be careful of the exposed blade, and know about the multitude of cheaper options out there.
I cannot speak to the quality of other rotary-style cutters out there, but I wouldn’t be hesitant to fork-out another $25 for an extra cutter. The drawbacks are very minor and are easily-fixable, so I would not go as far as to say that performance, design, and quality are diminished in any way.
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