Product Review: Fiskars Hexagon Squeeze Punch Extra Large

Today I am reviewing the Fiskars Hexagon Squeeze Punch (Extra Large).

I first noticed this punch on Instagram. Several people showed using them to cut out hexagons for English Paper Piecing (EPP). I was skeptical at first, seeing that the only ones I noticed being used were for smaller sized hexagons. It wasn't until someone mentioned that the punches came in extra-large size that I decided to take an interest.

The extra large hexagon punch cuts out hexagons which measure 2 inches across or 1 inch on each side. This is equivalent to what most of us in the EPP community refer to as a 1 inch hexie.

So on Monday afternoon I went to my local Joann's Fabric store and purchased one for myself. 

In the San Diego area the extra large size will run you around $18.00. 

(The fact that Joann's was having a 40% off sale on all Fiskars' items made it an even better price.)

First thing I noticed about the hexagon punch? 

The large handles. This makes the punch easy to grip and use.

A simple squeeze is all it takes to cut out the hexagons. 

The punch cuts the paper and then pushes it out for easy removal.

You insert the paper you want to cut inside the slot shown above. The company website says it can be used for 65-lb card stock or lower. This is nice considering that the paper thicknesses used by quilters doing EPP varies about as much as the quilters themselves.

To show how it works I used a heavy card stock label from a pillow I recently purchased. 

I inserted the label into the cutting slot.

Adjusted the label to where I wanted it to be cut.

Then I gripped the handle and started applying pressure.

Just like closing a pair of scissors or applying the handlebar breaks on a bike. When cutting in slow motion like this I could actually start to hear the paper being cut.

Then suddenly, POP! The piece of paper popped out of the cutter.

Easy, clean cut with little effort.

I can see this hexagon punch saving me a lot of money. I no longer have to purchase packages of pre-cut hexagons or waste paper and ink printing out hexagons to cut. I can use papers I would normally just toss in recycling. Those postcard-style subscription forms found in magazines, the free song download cards I always pick up at Starbucks, and price tags on clothing- these are all now fair game for making hexies. Every piece of junk mail will now get evaluated to see if it is hexie worthy.

Pros: It works just like it says!

Cons: Hey Fiskars, you guys think you could make one for me in indigo? (It's my favorite color.)

Have an item you would like me to review? Drop me a line at michellecalimattingly at gmail dot com

(This is NOT a sponsored post. This is just me sharing information for information sake.

 Why? Because I'm just cool like that.)