Safe Rotary Cutter - How To Use?

So I just received my A5 cutter and I'm trying to cut my mount strips with it. I must be an idiot because I cannot figure out how to use it properly. I'm trying to cut the 24mm strip to fit a small stamp. The only way I can find to measure is to leave the stamp in it and cut it that way.

I'm also finding that it does not give a clean straight cut. I guess I need to hold down the plastic holder since these are so lightweight?

Please help me. I'm afraid I bought the wrong one although I thought this one came highly recommended.

Thanks

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My cutter is a different style, more like an old style paper cutter with a handle and I put the stamp in the mount and hold the mount secure while I pull the handle down. Your cutter should work fine if you hold the mount in place and pull the cutter forward or back. I believe you really do need to hold the mount in place for a proper cut.

I bought a Fiskars SureCut at Wal-Mart. Cheap, accurate, easy to use, has wire guide to cut line. They have larger ones, but this works for 99% of the mount trims I cut. Essentially foolproof (being a fool, I know - I've only cut one stamp in half from not paying attention to the line guide)

http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Cr...er-Trimmer-9

Yes, you should press the plàstic holder while cutting with the rotary knife.
I've had a Safe rotary knife for dècades and I'm very happy with it. It's safer than the traditional cúters and, once you're used to it, more precise and leaves a very clean cut. The only drawback in my view, is when you're cutting mounts to a very small size(under 25 mm, in my case), which is narrower than the plàstic holder. On these cases, I used a piece of rígid carboard to keep the mount in place while cutting. It's just a question of getting used to it.
At the end you'll find that you've made a very wise purchase!

Thanks for the responses.

There seems to be other cutters that allow you to see the size mount you're cutting without having to put the stamp in the strip and then cut. It's almost like it's missing an additional ruler or something.

I'm holding the plastic strip but sometimes the cutter hits my fingers. I have small hands. I don't know how people with bigger hands do this. Not sure I love this yet.

Also how many strips can I cut at one time with this cutter? I'd like to be able to cut multiple mounts at one time.

Like cutting wwith a paper cutter - the more you cut the less precise it gets. Especially with mounts that are a bit slick to start with you should not try too many shortcuts in my opinion,

Peter