Review of the Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite

If you have been on the scrapbooking scene for awhile, then you've most likely heard of the Crop-a-Dile. For those of you who haven't, the Crop-a-Dile is a hole punch and eyelet setter. It takes the need for a hammer out of the equation for setting eyelets. It is quiet and extremely efficient.

The downside to the original Crop-a-Dile is that it doesn't have a very good reach. Enter the Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite. It has all the features that the original Crop-a-Dile has but has a better reach. The Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite will reach 6 inches onto your page. This means you can hole punch and set eyelets anywhere on your page.

The Crop-A-Dile II Big Bite punches holes and sets 1/8" and 3/16" eyelets as well as extra large eyelets, snaps and gromlets. It can punch through paper, leather, fabric, plastic, thin tin, and chipboard. The price of the Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite is anywhere from $35-45 depending on where you purchase it. This high price tag can be a deterrent to many scrapbookers.

I recently purchased the Crop-a-Dile Big Bite and am very happy with it. I have set two different types of eyelets with it so far with minimal problems. I have punched through chipboard, paper and thin plastic. Since its purchase, I have not completed a scrapbook page without first getting out the Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite.

The main difficulty that I have with the Big Bite is that it is kind of hard to manipulate. I find holding on to it while maintaining the eyelet on the setting to be hard. For those who are not very dexterous, this might not work for them. Also, the lettering of the cubes to show which setting to use is virtually non-existent. It is such a small font that you have to squint to find it.

However, in regards to its reach and application (as well as lack of sound), I am very happy with this purchase. The amount of pressure needed to set the eyelet is reasonable for a person with normal grip strength. With the new reach of this device, it's use is limitless. I would recommend the Crop-a-Dile II Big Bite to any serious scrapbooker who needs to set eyelets. Because of the price, I would also recommend waiting for a sale and/or utilizing a coupon to cushion the blow of the high price.