dude dont give up on the cloning, just keep trying different things untill it works. Ive had clones die on me using all methods so its alright. some strains also just dont like to be cloned untill the plant is older as well. the only time Ive ever had a 100% survival rate was with serious ak-47 in the first week of flowering other wise ill always lose 1 or 2 out of ten no big deal.
whoever said a rusty blade is spot on as well, an olfa blade showing some rust lets you know the lube oil is all gone.petroleum products=dead plant