Intricate applique
Follow petals, lettering, miniature motifs and small curved shapes where a 45mm cutter feels too broad.
OLFA's detail cutter for the smallest turns
Cut tiny curves and intricate shapes with an 18mm blade
The OLFA RTY-4 18mm Hobby Rotary Cutter is made for the fiddly cutting a larger blade can struggle to follow. Its slim handle and compact stainless-steel blade turn readily around applique pieces, miniature patchwork, tight curves and detailed craft shapes.
- 18mm high-carbon stainless-steel blade gives close control around detailed cutting lines.
- Straight or curved cutting works freehand or alongside a suitable ruler and template.
- Right- or left-handed setup lets you mount the blade on the side that suits your cutting hand.
- Manual blade cover protects the exposed edge during storage between cutting sessions.
Patented OLFA design
18mmDetail rotary blade
RB18Straight replacement blade
Left or rightReversible blade setup
RTY-4Exact OLFA model
What arrives: one genuine OLFA RTY-4 cutter with one 18mm straight rotary blade installed, supplied in OLFA retail blister packaging.
The smallest standard blade gives the tightest turning circle
A rotary blade turns around its centre. Reducing that diameter makes it easier to follow tighter curves and change direction without repeatedly lifting the tool. That is where RTY-4 complements, rather than replaces, your general-purpose cutter.
Mini patchwork
Cut compact pieces, tight inward and outward curves, narrow strips and small-scale textile components.
Detailed craft work
Use the compact blade for accurate straight or curved cutting in suitable fabric, paper, film and similar thin craft materials.
This is a precision cutter, not a heavy-layer cutter. Choose a larger 45mm or 60mm blade when you need faster long cuts, greater cutting depth or more leverage through fabric stacks.
A small blade built for deliberate control
High-carbon stainless steel in a slim, proven handle
OLFA preloads the RTY-4 with a durable 18mm rotary blade. The cutter is patented, recognised by the Good Design Award and designed for both right- and left-handed use.
18mm stainless-steel edge
The compact circular blade rolls through thin materials while staying manoeuvrable around detailed lines.
Slim, easy-to-guide body
The long tapered handle keeps fingers away from the cutting head and gives a clear view around small work.
Full manual blade cover
Slide the cover back only when cutting, then close it fully before the tool is lifted, set down or stored.
One tiny blade, two useful ways to guide the cut
Precision still begins with safe setup
Four steps for clean, controlled detail cutting
Let a sharp blade and the correct mat do the work. Test scraps first and never force the cutter through a thickness it cannot handle comfortably.
Prepare the material
Lay it flat on a self-healing cutting mat. Check that pins, clips and other hard objects are completely outside the cutting path.
Open the blade cover
Pull the cover fully back only when the cutter is positioned on the work and you are ready to cut.
Guide the blade away from you
Hold the cutter comfortably, keep the blade vertical and roll it with steady pressure along the ruler or drawn line.
Cover the edge immediately
Close the blade cover before lifting the cutter from the mat, setting it aside, changing position or storing it.
Sharp blade safety: keep hands inside the ruler edge and away from the cutting path, move the cutter away from your body, and close the cover after every cut. Keep the cutter and replacement blades away from children.
RTY-4 is the detail specialist in a rotary-cutting toolkit
A particularly useful choice for...
- Miniature applique and tiny motifs
- Intricate curves and small templates
- Mini patchwork and compact fabric pieces
- Narrow strips and detailed edges
- Right- or left-handed sewists
- Thin fabric, paper, film and craft materials
Choose a larger or different tool for...
- Long repetitive cuts through yardage
- Thick stacks or heavy materials
- Cutting without a protective mat
- Hidden pins, clips, zips or fasteners
- Work that needs substantial downward force
- A squeeze-handle automatic safety mechanism
Keep a dedicated blade for fabric: paper and abrasive craft materials dull an edge more quickly. Reserving one blade for textiles helps protect the clean cuts needed for applique, quilting and dressmaking.
Straightforward blade replacement
Release and secure the 18mm blade with the rear clasp
Keep the blade side facing down on a stable surface while changing it. Never release a sharp rotary blade into your hand.
- Position the cutter blade-side down on a suitable flat surface.
- Pull the rear clasp down to release the old blade.
- Place the compatible replacement blade correctly on the cutter.
- Push the clasp up until the blade is secured firmly.
- Check the cover and blade movement before returning to work.
Replace the straight blade or add a perforation function
OLFA RB18
The standard 18mm straight rotary replacement blade for detailed fabric and craft cutting. One straight blade is installed in the new cutter.
OLFA PRB18
An optional 18mm perforation blade for creating a line of separated cuts in suitable paper, film and craft projects. Sold separately.
Replace a tired blade
If the cutter begins to skip, drag or leave uncut fibres, replace the blade instead of forcing it or attempting to sharpen the rotary edge.
OLFA RTY-4 18mm Hobby Rotary Cutter specifications
| Brand | OLFA |
|---|---|
| Model | RTY-4 |
| Direct Sewing SKU | RTY4 |
| Product type | Hobby rotary cutter for detailed work |
| Blade diameter | 18mm |
| Installed blade | One 18mm high-carbon stainless-steel straight rotary blade |
| Compatible straight blade | OLFA RB18 |
| Compatible speciality blade | OLFA PRB18 perforation blade, sold separately |
| Handedness | Suitable for right- or left-handed use when configured correctly |
| Blade change | Rear sliding clasp |
| Blade protection | Manual full blade cover |
| Recognition | Patented; OLFA Good Design Award product |
| Recommended surface | Suitable self-healing cutting mat |
| Primary uses | Intricate curves, miniature shapes, detailed straight lines and fine craft cutting |
| Packaging | OLFA retail blister pack |
| Included | One RTY-4 cutter with one 18mm straight blade installed |
OLFA RTY-4 FAQs
Why would I choose an 18mm rotary cutter?
The 18mm blade has a very tight turning circle, making it especially useful for intricate curves, miniature applique, small pattern pieces and detailed craft shapes.
Does this replace a 45mm rotary cutter?
Usually not. RTY-4 complements a larger cutter. Use the 18mm blade for detail and the 45mm cutter for faster general quilting, dressmaking and longer straight cuts.
Can a left-handed person use RTY-4?
Yes. OLFA specifies RTY-4 for both right- and left-handed users. Install the blade on the side appropriate to your preferred cutting hand.
Which replacement blade does it use?
Use the OLFA RB18 18mm straight rotary blade. The optional OLFA PRB18 perforation blade also fits when a perforated cutting line is required.
Is a blade included?
Yes. One 18mm high-carbon stainless-steel straight blade is installed in the cutter.
Can it cut several layers of fabric?
The 18mm cutter is primarily designed for detail rather than depth. It may cut more than one light layer when the blade is fresh, but use a larger cutter for fabric stacks and never compensate with excessive pressure.
Is the blade cover automatic?
No. The cover is manual. Pull it back to expose the blade and close it fully immediately after every cut.
What is included?
One OLFA RTY-4 18mm Hobby Rotary Cutter with one straight blade installed, supplied in OLFA retail blister packaging.
Reach for RTY-4 when the curve is too tight for a larger blade
Add OLFA's 18mm detail cutter to your mat for miniature applique, fine curves, compact pieces and the careful cutting that deserves more control.
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