I've been using the plastic (?) Wilton mat for rolling fondant, but I keep cutting into it with my xacto knife.  I feel like I'm buying a new one every couple of months.  What do you guys use for those things?  Is there a mat I can't cut into with a xacto knife?? 

Look into this self-healing mat. I haven't tried it, but it's very interesting!

http://www.pastrychef.com/SELF-HEALING-CUTTING-MATS_p_1960.html
 

Interesting!
 

AThey work! Use one for modeling figures, and it heals right back up. Well worth the investment. HTH

I have been using my fondant tools to cut fondant and gum paste and there's no cutting through the base mat at all.  I use one that has a 'blade' look to it, though it's curved at the very end.   There are only a few times I've had to use an x-acto blade.  Sure saves on mats!
 

Are they food safe?  I looked at a self healing sewing mat and the smell made me realize I could not use it for food.  This one looks like it would be o.k.  What do you think?

AI bought a self healing Xacto brand mat a while back, and it is my new favorite thing! I scrubbed it thoroughly before and between uses, though I could see after lots of cuts there may be cracks for bacteria to hide...it was only about 10 bucks, so I can afford to get a new one every so often. I like it because I can obviously cut right into it, but it is also very non stick for rolling or modeling, and has rulered lines all over it. Good investment, trust me!

I got an email back from the Dahle representative. She says the self healing mat can't be considered food safe because it's made from PVC.  I wonder if the company selling it knows that?? 

"Since the mats are made from recycled PVC, we cannot okay for food.

Thank you"

Janice Fiandaca

Sales Support Representative

Dahle North America, Inc. 

d: 603.925.3012

tf: 800.995.1379 x: 3012

f: 603.925.3013

w:www.dahle.com

I bought a self healing mat from a  quilting store. it's great!

AI'd bet dollars to doughnuts that your "self-healing mat from a quilting store"is NOT food safe.

I use a flexible thin plastic food cutting board.  They are dirt cheap so you can chuck them when they get too scratched.  Lately though I am doing most of my cutting with a wheel tool.  As it is plastic it only cuts the fondant and not the board and I personally find I can get a more accurate cut more of the time.

A

That's one I use. I actually bought an inexpensive set of plastic fondant tools that have a couple of straight edges...including one that looks like that one.

Self healing mats are ABSOLUTELY NOT food safe at all and are LOADED with chemicals. Please do your research !

AI actually use a glass cutting board. Easy clean, no scratches.