Zyliss Mandoline
By Tina Lehman onMandolines 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.

I love mandolines - it's a Japanese cooking appliance. Very handy when making bentos!
What a bummer that this Zyliss Mandoline does not do a bang up job. I would think that for $40 it would be more effective than it has been for you.
I have wondered how well they worked! Thanks for taking the time to let us know!