How To Cut Singles/Pairs From Imperf Press Sheets?

Does anyone have an idea on how best to cut singles and pairs from imperf (no die-cuts) press sheets?
I tried a guillotine cutter (15in) and while they are okay to cut larger sheets into individual panes, they are not good enough to cut a straight edge; i.e. you'll end up with some postage as there is very little margin for error...
I just ordered this one... http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-15249...rhf_sc_p_d_2 ...and I hope it will give straight cuts of panes.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I would have a concern with the operation of the slide cutter. over time as the blade dulls (material thickness and adhesive sandwiched between) that the smaller the cut, damage from pulling across the sheet would cause the separation of the stamp from the backing. I have tried scoring the backing paper on coils, bending on the score, and then using a rapid cut with a large pocket knife. I sharpen this instrument (clean)when the cut holds resistance. My cuts are square and clean. I don't know if that would work on sheets (cut into manageable strips w/guillotine) Bending does cause the stamp to release from the backing, but it is minimal, but the perf is undamaged. Since there are no perfs in the sheet, trim sewing scissors would take care of any 'sticky' selvage. (Centering the cut is tantamount). Then again I could be a disaster just lying in wait.

I have 2 different sizes of those Fiskers slide cutters. I love them for mounts and anything else I need to cut. Never had a press sheet to cut though. They all come with an extra blade (they are razor blade sharp) and still haven't needed to replace them after a couple years of cutting mounts

Thanks for your comments. I guess it's just one of those where one needs to experiment...

I have no idea what kind of press sheet you are thinking of cutting up, paper type,thickness, format etc as I know nothing about the USA types. A little practice beforehand on some similar type of paper is advisable.

In 2010, I cut up a British Press sheet for some members here at SCF and it went well.
I had a piece of thin board, smooth surfaced and twice the size of the sheet.
I took the smallest Japanese Knife I could find and extra blades which I changed after every second cut. There was little room for error.
I used a long thin plastic ruler.
I cleaned everything, including the board, after each cut.
The whole 'operation' was done on a tiled floor.
I was happy with the outcome and I believe the recipients were too.













Londonbus1........good luck !

At work I use the mailroom large lever handle razor cutter. It can hold a large press sheet and get straight clean cuts, but those are too pricey and bulky to have at home.

When cutting single stamps out of individual no die cut panes I use sharp scissors, but importantly score the back corner edge diagonally of each stamp first lightly with a razor or knife. This allows the stamps to be peeled easily from the backing for postal use (I like used complete sets for my collection I get back from family mail).

Londonbus--That's very educational what you did and how you did it. Looks like a tricky operation and some really nice work. I wouldn't be surprised if they were satisfied!


-IBFS

To provide an update - in addition to the paper trimmer I mentioned above I bought myself a paper cutter to cut the press sheets into panes. I went for the cheapest one I could find and have to admit that it works pretty well: http://www.ebay.com/itm/PAPER-CUTTE...141105721696 (not my auction).
I cut more than 10 press sheets into pairs, blocks/strips of four and strips of five today and mostly used the Fiscars paper trimmer (big enough to cut some press sheets without the use of the paper cutter). The blade needs to be cleaned every now and then (adhesive from the stamps becomes trapped on the blade which leads to somewhat fuzzy edges as the trimmer is more ripping than trimming the panes apart - easy to fix with a q tip and some ethanol), but other than that it works like a treat! The thing I like the most about this trimmer is the wire that guides the cut. This wire is above the item to be cut; i.e. it is possible to make perfect cuts without loosing any stamps due to miscuts. The wire allows for an accurate positioning of the pane to be cut - zip and you're done!