BasicGrey Notch and Die Tool: Lasso One for Your Projects

I must confess: I live to shop. Don't get me wrong... I don't buy recklessly without discrimination. But I have managed to make my credit card hurt a little when it comes to scrapbooking supplies. When the BasicGrey Notch and Die Tool came onto the market, I wasn't about to let the price tag dissuade me from the latest and greatest. So, what is this tool all about? How do you use it? Is it worth the price tag?

Let me just say, first of all, that the packaging rocks! The tool comes in a sleek brushed metal tin case with rounded edges with a beautiful romantic imprint of the tool name on the top. It reminds me of western movies, cowboys, and showgirls. It makes me want to don spurs and put the tool in a holster.

BasicGrey provides a single instruction sheet with 20 sample uses shown on the back. The tool itself consists of a handle and three interchangeable blades that cut a half moon, a v-notch, and a straight slit. A magnet holds the blades into the handle. Beware: they weren't kidding when they said the blades are sharp. The advertising states that this tool will cut through cardstock, fabric, leather, and thin plastic.

To use the tool, the instructions state to "hold the tool at a 45 degree angle, embed the tip into the material you plan to cut" and while applying even pressure, "roll the tool forward to an upright position. Then press down firmly until the notch is cut." Although the handle is soft and fits into the palm of your hand nicely, I recommend standing to use this tool because of the amount of pressure needed to push the blade through the material (especially important if you have a history of shoulder problems as this motion puts a lot of stress into internal rotation). BasicGrey does recommend using a rubber mallet if extra strength is required.

Many of the projects I have seen involve card making or making "pockets" to hold hidden journaling on scrapbook pages. The following are some sample projects I made using this tool:

1. I created a 6" x 6" layout of my friend's little girl. I used the half-moon blade to cut the slits that hold the picture into the frame. This way, my friend can remove the picture and replace it with another one in the future.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I altered a box that held my developed pictures into a recipe/card holder. I used the straight blade to make the slits to slide the ribbon through on the back. The ribbon comes around to the front to tie the box closed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. I designed a party invitation and used the half-moon blade to hold the card closed. I could have easily used the v-notch blade but I wanted the round shape to coordinate with the round chipboard and rounded edges of the stamped calendar.
   
   
   

BasicGrey plans to release other tips that can be used with this tool, including a belt loop, slip tie, ribbon weave and buttonhole. Therefore, instead of owning separate punches for buttons and ribbons, you can own just one tool with interchangeable blades. This should add some versatility and value to the product. Maybe they will also come out with a holster for carrying the tool, something to match my cowboy hat.