Applique and quilting
Create circular motifs, dots, flower centres, curved patches and repeated pieces without drawing around a template first.
Accurate fabric circles without tracing or scissors
Set the diameter, anchor the centre and cut a smooth circle
The OLFA CMP-3 Rotary Compass Cutter makes clean circles from 4cm to 22cm across in fabric and other suitable soft materials. Its 18mm rotary blade follows the circle while the centre needle holds the radius, and the clever ratchet handle helps your hand move comfortably around smaller sizes.
- 4cm to 22cm diameter range covers small applique pieces through to larger craft circles.
- 18mm stainless-steel rotary blade rolls through cloth, film and suitable soft leather.
- Ratchet handle allows repeated short turns when a full wrist rotation is uncomfortable.
- Right- or left-handed use makes this a practical tool for a wider range of makers.
Two refill blades included
4-22cmAdjustable circle diameter
18mmStainless rotary blade
3 bladesOne fitted plus two refills
Left or rightDesigned for either hand
What arrives: one genuine OLFA CMP-3 Rotary Compass Cutter with an 18mm stainless-steel rotary blade fitted, two refill blades and the protective centre-needle cap, supplied in OLFA retail blister packaging.
Where a circle cutter saves time and improves consistency
Cutting freehand with scissors can stretch fabric, produce flat spots and make matching pieces difficult. CMP-3 maintains a set radius around a fixed centre point, helping you create a more even circular edge.
Craft and costume work
Cut circles from suitable felt, film, thin soft leather and other compatible materials for decorations and layered designs.
Repeatable sizing
Keep the diameter setting unchanged to make matching circles for projects that need consistent dimensions.
A compass and rotary cutter in one tool
The centre point controls the radius while the blade rolls around it
Adjust the sliding arm to the required diameter, secure the setting and place the needle at the centre of your planned circle. The compact rotary blade then follows the set path as the handle turns clockwise.
Adjustable diameter
Set circles anywhere within the official 4cm to 22cm diameter range rather than relying on fixed-size templates.
Rolling 18mm edge
The stainless-steel blade rolls through suitable soft materials instead of pushing and lifting them like ordinary scissors.
Stable centre reference
The compass needle holds the chosen radius while you guide the cutter around the work.
See the handle and cutting position clearly
The adjustable arm sets the circle size while the centre point maintains the radius.
Hold the handle upright and rotate clockwise with the needle firmly centred.
Set up carefully for a clean result
How to cut a fabric circle with CMP-3
Practise on a scrap placed on a proper cutting mat before cutting the final project piece. Smooth, steady clockwise movement gives the blade the best chance to meet its starting point cleanly.
Choose and set the diameter
Adjust the arm to the required circle size, secure it and check the measurement before placing the tool on the material.
Protect the work surface
Lay the material flat on a self-healing cutting mat and remove the protective cap from the centre needle.
Anchor and hold upright
Press the centre needle and rotary blade firmly against the cutting surface while keeping the handle vertical.
Rotate clockwise
Turn slowly around the centre point. If a second pass is needed, continue clockwise rather than reversing direction.
The clever part of CMP-3
Use the ratchet action for smaller circles
A full circle can demand an uncomfortable hand position, especially at a small diameter. Turn the handle through a comfortable section, ratchet it back without reversing the cutter, then repeat the clockwise cutting motion a little at a time.
Do not rotate the cutter backwards through the cut. The ratchet resets the handle position while the cutting direction remains clockwise.
Plan for the centre-point mark
Like any compass cutter, CMP-3 anchors the radius with a sharp centre needle. This produces a small puncture at the centre of the circle, so plan the placement where the mark will be hidden, covered, removed or acceptable in the finished project.
A particularly useful choice for...
- Fabric applique circles and curved motifs
- Quilting, craft and costume projects
- Repeated circles in matching sizes
- Suitable cloth, film, felt and soft leather
- Circle diameters from 4cm to 22cm
- Right- or left-handed makers
Choose another method for...
- Projects where any centre puncture is unacceptable
- Circles smaller than 4cm or larger than 22cm
- Hard, rigid or brittle materials
- Cutting without a protective mat
- Materials containing pins or hard fasteners
- Work that cannot be held flat and stable
Two refill blades are already in the pack
Replace the cutter blade with genuine OLFA RB18
CMP-3 uses OLFA RB18 18mm rotary blades. Replace the edge when cuts need extra pressure, fibres remain joined or the blade develops a nick.
- Point the blade cover down and fit the protective cap over the centre needle.
- Hold the blade fixing component while lifting the release part so the blade cannot fall.
- Fit the replacement on the grooved side exactly as shown in OLFA's diagram.
- Do not move the pin lock during normal use. OLFA specifies moving it only during blade replacement.
- Dispose of used blades in a proper sharps or blade-disposal container.
Sharp blade and needle safety: both cutting points can cause injury. Keep the centre needle capped when stored, keep fingers clear of the circular cutting path and store the tool out of children's reach.
OLFA CMP-3 Rotary Compass Cutter specifications
| Brand | OLFA |
|---|---|
| Model | CMP-3 |
| Direct Sewing SKU | CMP3 |
| Product type | Rotary compass circle cutter |
| Circle diameter range | 4cm to 22cm |
| Blade diameter | 18mm |
| Blade material | Stainless steel |
| Compatible replacement blade | OLFA RB18 |
| Suitable materials | Cloth, film, suitable soft leather and other compatible soft materials |
| Handle | Ratchet-style grip for full or repeated short clockwise turns |
| Handedness | Designed for right- and left-handed use |
| Recognition | Patented; OLFA Good Design Award product |
| Recommended surface | Suitable self-healing cutting mat |
| Packaging | OLFA retail blister pack |
| Included | One CMP-3 cutter, one fitted blade, two refill blades and centre-needle protective cap |
OLFA CMP-3 FAQs
What circle sizes can CMP-3 cut?
It adjusts to cut circles from 4cm to 22cm in diameter.
How many blades are included?
There is one 18mm rotary blade fitted in the cutter plus two refill blades, giving three blades in total.
Which replacement blade does it use?
Use a genuine OLFA RB18 18mm rotary blade.
Does the centre needle leave a hole?
Yes. The cutter works like a compass, so its sharp centre point makes a small puncture. Plan the centre where that mark can be hidden, covered, removed or accepted.
What does the ratchet handle do?
It lets you cut in a series of comfortable clockwise turns. After each short cutting movement, ratchet the grip back to a comfortable hand position without reversing the blade through the cut.
Can a left-handed person use it?
Yes. OLFA specifies CMP-3 for both right- and left-handed use.
Can it cut paper?
It can cut suitable soft materials, but CMP-3 is particularly designed for cloth, film and suitable soft leather. Keep a dedicated blade for fabric if clean textile cuts are the priority, because paper can dull an edge more quickly.
What is included?
One OLFA CMP-3 Rotary Compass Cutter with one blade fitted, two refill blades and the protective centre-needle cap, supplied in OLFA retail blister packaging.
Make repeatable fabric circles with OLFA precision
Choose CMP-3 for adjustable 4cm to 22cm circles, a wrist-friendly ratchet action, right- or left-handed use and the convenience of two refill blades already included.
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