Cutting Showguard Mounts

What is the best way to cut showgard strips into smaller sizes?

Welcome to SCF!

I use a cutter like the one shown in the image -- it is made by Showgard and called an "Excal" Guillotine.

Steve

Thats the ticket

"Excal" Guillotine.

Don't buy a cheapo paper cutter. I went that route - it cuts a nice square edge (unlike scissors) but cutting multiple mounts to the exact same size is very difficult.

The sliding guide on the dedicated mount cutter makes all the difference.

Hi

The EXCAL cutter is great. I have been using mine for over 20 years and it is still as sharp as ever. One comment, though. Way back when some people from Showgard suggested putting the "ruler bar" at the bottom for greater control.

For mounts that are larger than the cutter I use the following:
http://www.bedwynstamps.com/hawid-c...ge-102-p.asp

I did not buy anything from the website since I found a replacement set in the states. You do have to be careful to not break the glass ruler (been there done that).

Jerry B

I use a Prinz cutter similar to the one shown above for small mounts, and this Safe rotary cutter for the big boys.

I should use a cutter, but I'm cheap. So, instead I put the stamps in first and then use scissors aligned to the edge of the last stamp. I get mostly square edges, but I'm not always happy with them.

Thank you very much! Great idea.

one other thing - if you use clear mounts, the edges don't matter as much as they would if you used black mounts. If you're using black mounts, invest in the cutter described above.

I saw this topic from 2012, so I thought I'd bring up a new twist. I was speaking with a sales rep at Showgard, and he told me that the new line of Showgard "guillotine" cutters do not have the extension arm and are graduated in inches. He thinks they do as good a job of cutting, but the lack of the extension arm limits their usefulness.

Has anyone had any experience with these new cutters?

BTW, he said some stamp dealers are selling out the remaining stock of the old style cutters, and that the smaller one is going for over $100!

I use a standard paper cutter. It's not a cheapo. I've had it for 40 years. Solid wooden base with incised guidelines, heavy blade. I cut multiples of 3 and get precise results. Yes, I have to be careful to align the strips correctly and have to hold them firmly and lower the blade fast and forcefully. For more than 3 at a time, yes, they tend to squirm and the cut is crooked. But cutting 3 a time is efficient enough for me. I use an already cut to size mount measured against the overhanging strip to get the size right. Or I will place the strip against the frame that I want to fill in the album and draw a light pencil mark on the adhesive side (pencil won't show on the clear side) where I want to cut, then use the pencil mark to align the strip's overhang on the cutter.

Works fine for me. Yes, a cheapo lightweight modern office paper cutter probably would produce crooked results. But my mounts are perfectly square and sharp.

I would have been tempted, based on the strong endorsements here, to acquire a Showguard cutter, but the news that they've modified them downward and that remainders are going for $100 put the kabosh on that idea.

I use the Showgard cutter with excellent results. Must have the extension arm.

I use the Showgard EXCAL Guillotine. It is over thirty years old. Having mounted a remounted almost 4500 stamps, it just keeps on ticking. Unbelievable. I have to tighten the arm up once in a while with a Phillips screwdriver.

FYI, Showgard also makes a larger sized Guillotine as well. Operates the same way.

Finally, I found a regular paper cutter at Staples. It too utilizes a razor blade like the showgards. Works exceptionally well on large mounts for souvenir sheets. Nice square cuts.

Jack Kelley

I also use the Showgard EXCEL and it has always done a great job for me. Probably had it some 25 years now - wow, hard to believe!

I agree with all the praise above for the Showgard cutter, although I use mine on Hawid mounts. I have had mine at least 30 years and have cut 30-35,000 mounts.