Template tracing cutter

The present invention relates generally to the field of cutting instruments for paper, card stock, mylar, plastic sheeting, cardboard, and other thin media. More particularly, the present invention relates to cutting instruments which follow the shape of a template in order to cut a piece of the thin media in the shape of the template. Templates of this kind often have intricate shapes with corners and curves which are difficult to negotiate with a knife or other simple manual cutter. The present invention uses a novel swivel-offset blade and a specially designed guide to more easily and effectively follow the contour of an intricate template thereby making a more accurate replica of the template shape without tearing, excessive under-cutting or template jumping. The present invention relates to a media cutting tool for use with a template. The apparatus of the present invention maintains proper alignment with a template through the use of a novel offset, rotating, cutting blade and guards against skipping along the cut as the apparatus is drawn around a template through the use of a novel guide mechanism which engages the template being traced. The present invention also employs a transparent handle for an improved view of the cutting area.