Cricuts are wonderful machines that can be used for creating any kind of craft that requires cutting materials with absolute precision.
They can be used on very thin materials such as crepe or tissue paper or others as thick as balsa wood or natural leather.
You can also use it for other functions, such as applying foil and embossing to make the most out of them for any project you want to make.
But they are not ever lasting, and as you use them, you might need to replace some pieces to have a pleasant experience while creating your décor pieces.
The most common piece you need to replace is the blade; that little piece that ultimately performs the cuts on the desired surface. But, how long does a Cricut blade last exactly?
The first thing you need to know is when is the right time for a Cricut blade change.
The truth is there is no exact moment for every user to change their blades, because it depends on many factors, as what materials you are using it with, how many projects you have worked on, and how good care you take of the blade.
But, how to tell how long does a Cricut blade last and how to know when it’s time to replace it then?
How long does a Cricut blade last?
The answer to this question is based on your own experience. You basically need to change the blade once the cutting experience is not going as smooth as always.
There are a few signs that can help you identify the right moment for a change:
- The vinyl is not completely cut
- Pulling out vinyl has become more difficult
- Pieces don’t come out easily and get lifted
When your blade has gotten old and dull, the process of peeling the unused vinyl off a piece becomes more difficult and frustrating.
Of course, there might always be small pieces that can be stuck in the peeled vinyl even with a brand-new blade, but there shouldn’t be a great difficulty in this process.
However, as soon as you notice you are taking too long to keep all the pieces of your design on the backing layer, you should consider replacing your blades.
Another sign that might help you determine when it’s time for a replacement, is the feeling you get when peeling the remaining vinyl.
This process should go smoothly even with small pieces. When your blade is dull and old, this process doesn’t go so easily, and you will feel that you are tearing the pieces off the leftover vinyl instead of simply picking them up.
Once you have decided it’s time for a change, you need to get a new blade and swap it.
How to change blade in Cricut machines?
It’s actually very easy to do. The most widely used blade is the fine point, which allows you to cut the most common materials, like sticker paper, common paper or light cardboard.
Always remember to make sure the blade you are getting is compatible with your machine. The fine point blade can be used on Cricut Maker and Cricut Explorer machines.
At the shop, you will find blades with and without the housing piece, which is the blade holder that will keep it in place inside the machine.
Your machine already has a housing for the fine point blade, so you probably don’t need to get one.
That is good news, considering both pieces are most costly than only one.
- After buying the new blade, open the front lid in your Cricut machine to be able to pop the B clasp open (the one on the right).
This will release the housing with the old blade. The housing is a round metal tube with a pin on one side, and the blade on the other. - Push the pin in to release the blade and pull it out. It should come out really easily.
- Open the packaging with the new blade, take off the protective cover and push the pin in the housing in to put the blade within.
As simple as that! Just be careful when handling the blade, as it is extremely sharp and you can get easily injured.
how to replace Cricut blade
But how to replace Cricut blade if you want to use a different one? The best way to make your blades last longer is to use the appropriate one for each of the materials you want to use.
Changing them is as easy as described above, but some of them require a different housing piece.
You can have a look at the specifications of each of the blades and housing pieces in this article about ‘Which Cricut Blade Do I Need?‘ before buying what you need.
But here you have a quick guide to the different blade models you can find according to the use you are going to give them.
- Fine point: as said before, this is the most common and versatile blade, as you can cut through all thin materials like paper and regular vinyl or even faux leather.
- Deep point: You can use this point with the original housing in the machine. This blade is used for stronger materials such as genuine leather, cereal box cardboard and magnetic sheets.
- Bonded-fabric point: This is a specific blade used with bonded fabric, though most people simply use the deep point blade.
- Rotary point: This blade is used with a different housing which has a gear on top. This is used for very thin materials such as tulle fabric and crepe paper. This blade is specific for Cricut Maker, not the Explorer version.
- Knife blade: Also used with a rotary housing, this blade is used for the hardest materials, such as balsa wood, heavy chipboard and garment leather.
Here is a video with more info about Cricut blade replacement:
There are other kinds of points that are not made for cutting.
One of them is the foil application point, which has a specific housing and can be used with three different points with three widths.
You can also find the Quickswap housing which also has a rotary top but has exchangeable tips that contain the different blades inside, so they are much easier to use and replace, and they provide a variety of functions.
We hope this ultimate guide is useful for you to start using your Cricut right away and know how long does a Cricut blade last and how to replace it when needed! 😉
You can also read this article about How to calibrate Cricut Explore air 2.