Logan 350-1 Compact Elite Mat Cutter

For someone who has never attempted to frame anything with matte boards, I was concerned that this would be a difficult and complicated task. However, I just couldn't accept the fee that Hobby lobby and Michaels wanted to charge to frame a project of mine (I wanted 2 different colored matte boards and the project amounted to $200). Once I got the tool, I familiarized myself with it, however, I should have spent more time doing practice cuts to get a more accurate feel for where the cuts are done. My first project had a few glitches, however to save $200 for one project, it was definitely acceptable. My second project looks better than the first and I am now on my third project. Needless to say, now that I have it figured out, the projects look almost as good as professionally done. If I had taken my 3 projects to one of those places, I would be out $600, but because of this tool, I have only spent about $300 (including matte boards and other miscellaneous tools). It is quite simple to do and well worth the effort. Just make sure to change out your blades once dull and to buy the matte boards in bulk if you plan on doing several projects, it is cheaper. It is also easier to buy the matte boards according to the size of frame you want to use, it makes the entire process easier.

This is a huge improvement over the old hand held matt cutter I’ve had for over 50 years. Except for the too short fence used when cutting down the matt board to size, everything else is very accurate. Based on recommendations I saw on line, I used a paper towel to apply a dry lubricant to the fence’s cutter guide channel. This produced a big improvement. It also did a great job cutting foam board, generating a much smoother cut than a utility knife. Overall, this is a great system at a reasonable price. It will probably pay for itself with reduced material wasted.

Like anything else, cutting mats has a learning curve. I messed up a few mats only because I measured wrong. Quickly figured out how to mat, double and triple mat (with the help on online videos from Logan and others). With matting, you not only have to measure twice and cut it once, you have to double check everything when you get above a single mat. It is fun to use. Am running out of old pictures to frame, re-mat and wall space but friends have pictures they want framed. I highly recommend this to anyone who has lots of framing to do and wants professional results. In my case, building and staining the frames is as much fun as getting a really good looking product.

Works well for this model. I don’t know how the more expensive models are but this one could use something longer/ better to stop the mat from moving when pulling the cutting tools. The longer the mat the more prone to slipping

I cut perfect mats right out of the box. The cutter was perfectly calibrated and easy to assemble. I used the straight cutter to trim the matboard and bevel cutter to cut the opening. I also cut the mounting board to size. Looks great on my watercolors. There are several YouTube tutorials available for this model if you are new to cutting mats. I had a gallery and custom framing business for years and do have experience, this cutter cuts as well as my very large 60” professional (heavy, not portable) cutter. Perfect for my own artwork. And very portable. Highly recommend.

If you've got something you're ready to mat and frame professionally, consider taking it to a shop. But for home use where you're trying to save a little bank or just see how it will look matted, this is a great product. Definitely worth the money. Once you have the hang of setting it up, it's easy peasy.For larger mats, for example full or half-sheet watercolors, you still might want to take it to a shop. It doesn't handle large sheets of mat paper that well, you have to defeat the guides. But it can be done if you're careful.Double-check to remember which side of the mat you want to have showing. I forgot to do this once and I ended up cutting 3 mats instead of just one. It's easy to forget if you're in a hurry.

Does a good job but takes practice, like any good tool. I suggest you sacrifice a large mat board to practice. It took quite a few cuts but following the included directions, it worked perfectly after practice.

I am a total amateur. It took me a bit and some practice, but I finally think I have the hang of this thing in less than two days. It’s important to make one single cut and go all the way through. It’s very difficult to cut on the same line if it did not go all the way through the first time. I love the freedom it gives me to cut my own mattes, even double mattes. Worth every penny. Highly recommend.