A cutting mat has a rubbery "self healing " surface, and sometimes has a one inch grid imprinted on it.  It is most often found near the fabric section of a store, because it is used by quilters with a cutting wheel to cut all their little fabric shapes.  

Why use one?  When cutting, you want to use a surface that you don't mind being destroyed or will not be destroyed.  You could use a piece of scrap plywood, but I have found that the grain of the wood sometimes forces my blade off course.  Scrap masonite works well at first, but any groove you put in it with the blade has the potential to misguide a future cut.  Both ply and masonite will dull the point of your blade pretty quickly. 

 A cutting mat always has a smooth surface that is cushy and easy on your blade.  The printed grid can also come in handy from time to time.  The fact that it is flexible makes it easy to dump tiny scrap pieces into the garbage.  Overall it is the best cutting surface.

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.