Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I used to be a chef, and I always used professional mandolinsin the kitchen, but I've never wanted to shell out [the money] to buy one for myself. I was so excited to see great reviews for a cheap mandolin-type slicer. But... THIS PRODUCT IS CHEAP, FLIMSY, DIFFICULT TO USE, AND WASTEFUL. I tried on three occasions to slice tomates, oranges, and julience carrots. The tomatoes tore, the oranges stuck on the bottom of the slicer, and the carrots stuck in the blade. Furthermore, the product is not nearly as safe as it seems. Because the blade is horizontal, rather than angled, it takes much more force to push the food across the blade than on a traditional or Japanese mandolin. Using the hand protector is clumsy and you have little control over the food, but if you don't use it, you run a serious risk of cutting yourself. Buy this at your own risk. Perhaps I'm spoiled after using the real thing, but I recommend saving the money to buy a real mandolin. If you must have a mandolin, but don't want to spend the money, buy a Japanese mandolin, lay the bottom on a damp towel or a rubber jar opener, and slice away from yourself. Happy Cooking.