- Glass cutters create a thin break, usually in a straight line, along a piece of glass. This line, known as a score, allows the glass to break completely and the artist can cut out pieces in various shapes. Different glass cutters are used to create the basic shapes and the more difficult shapes such as circles. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and often the decision of which cutter to use all comes down to the user's personal preference.
- Hand-held cutters are small and highly portable. They feature a small handle connected to the wheel which cuts the glass. The pencil-grip cutter is thin and held between your fingers as you run it over the surface of the glass. A pistol-grip cutter is bent to form a thick handle held parallel to the table as you cut. The pencil grip often has a small ball on the end of the handle which is useful for breaking stubborn pieces of glass. Some may find the pistol grip more comfortable to hold while working for long periods of time.
- Circular cutters, as the name implies, are designed to create a circular cut that can then be broken away in pieces. A regular cutter is still needed to make the straight lines that connect the edges of the circles to the edges of the glass for a clean break. The circular cutter sits in the center of the glass and the handle is turned, rotating the arm around the surface of the glass. This cutter creates smooth circles that would not be possible with a hand-held cutter alone.
- Many hand-held cutters are now self-oiling, meaning that the oil needed to lubricate the wheel is stored inside the cutter and drips onto the wheel as needed. Simpler, and often older, hand-held cutters often lack this feature. A small tin of oil must be kept on hand and the cutter dipped into the oil before beginning a cut. Excess oil is dabbed off onto a paper towel. Lubrication is essential to ensure the cutter runs smoothly along the glass and doesn't chip away or create tiny breaks outside the score line.
- Each glass cutter has its own disadvantages, depending on the type of project. Hand-held cutters have a harder time with curved lines and the curve must be cut into gradually or it will snap. The circular cutter is not easily transportable the way a hand-held cutter is. Hand-held glass cutters take practice to apply the correct amount of pressure. Too much will chip the glass while too little won't create a deep enough cut for the glass to break. After a cut is made, the user cannot create a second cut over the first one. For this reason, practicing on inexpensive clear glass first is recommended for beginners.
