I haven't tried any paper with the rolling pin method, but the sharpness of the blade would be a factor. I have never tried to cut a groove into the aluminum rod because of the difficulty of locating the cut exactly at the groove. The knife blade cuts plastic shells very cleanly with the rod ungrooved. It may work the same way with paper. I'll try some paper and report back. Unfortunately, I don't have a cutoff blade for my chain saw so can't report on that method.