Zyliss Mandoline By Tina Lehman on Dec 03, 2007 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

Mandolines make quick work of slicing fruits and vegetables, and are partiularly useful when you have a lot to slice (like when making a pie or scalloped potatoes). As far as mandolines go, Zyliss makes one of the cheaper options.

The guide-rail system mandoline comes with 1/32-inch, 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, 1/4-inch V-shaped blades, and two julienne blade options. The blades are sharp enough to cut through most vegetables with ease, and the plastic is sturdy enough to withstand a lot of use.

I have a couple of compaints: First, this system does not always yield uniform slices. Many times this isn't important to me, but when it is I pull out my food processor to do the job. Second, it is difficult to cut through harder veggies like carrots. Third, the teeth on the veggie gripper don't grip the veggies very well, and I usually just end up using my hand to feed the food through (which isn't very safe).

I think if I were to do it again, I may spend a few extra dollars to buy a stainless steel mandoline of a little higher quality.