[cpoteet]

I would appreciate a recommendation, based on personal experience, for a paper cutter. The key criterion is a device that cuts precisely straight, but at less that $200 if possible.

The use will be for non-professional, home use with up to 19" x 13" photo paper. I have a Fiskar rotary cutter that does not cut precisely straight.

Thank you for suggestions.

[TonyW]

Best rotary trimmers from the likes of Rotatrim but they will fall outside of your current budget, probably by quite a large margin.

Dahle are quite ok and should be able to cut quite accurately. This one probably minimum for your needs
Dahle 552 Professional Rolling Trimmer (20-1/8") 552 B&H!

At a little more this unit pretty good - I have a larger version of this
Dahle 442 Premium Rolling Trimmer (20.1") 442 B&H Photo!

[Miguel]

Try to find a used Rotatrim which should be just within your budget. They are very precise and last a lifetime. I just used mine to trim 35 prints for an exhibition, perfectly.

ME

[Alex645]

If you can't find one used, I'd really invest in a Rotatrim although it's over $200: Rotatrim RC RCM20 Professional-20 (20" Cut) Rotary RCM20

I've bought many less expensive cutters/trimmers over the years and they ended up in the trash and ruined a lot of work. When I finally got a dual rail Rotatrim (15 years ago, used nearly daily to cut paper and matte board) it has never needed adjustment, repair, etc. It's a lifetime purchase. Monorail cutters are cheaper, but I would not recommend them.

[WPRESTO]

As other have noted. Rotatrim make the best cutters. A caveat: do not be tempted by a bargain price on a used or new old-fashioned guillotine type paper cutter. The modern rotary cutter is a significantly better design.

[BrianR]

I do not have a worldly experience with different cutters, but after over a year of hemming and hawing I went with one of the dual rail Rotatrims. Many of the reviews I looked at read like Alex's post above, after disappointment with other brands people end up happy with a Rotatrim. It's somewhat annoying to have suggestions that are above your budget but some things are just worth saving for if possible.

I've had mine for 2 years now, I was pretty impressed with how square it cut and just how thin a strip it can accurately cut off. Trouble free so far and I expect it will outlast me.

[Robot camera]

Yep, a Rotatrim is the one to go for. I bought a used one on Ebay and it's great. I've used it for cutting 1mm thick camera light seal foam into 1.5mm strips and it just does it. It's a far bigger Rotatrim than I'll probably ever need, but better that than too small.

[TonyW]

If you can't find one used, I'd really invest in a Rotatrim although it's over $200: Rotatrim RC RCM20 Professional-20 (20" Cut) Rotary RCM20

At this price I would go for this one over the Dahle that I posted if budget permits. As already suggested you may end up buying cheap and being dissatisfied and having to buy again having wasted your money. A good trimmer such as this should last for very many years and the manufacturer likely to have spares for a long time. When you figure in the lifetime of the product vs price you may find that even though intial purchase more that the real cost of ownership insignificant.

[cpoteet]

Thanks to all for the sharing of experiences, thoughts and suggestions. I am giving Rotatrim a serious look.