Blinky the Shark said...

>
> Does anyone have a mandolin that they can recommend in the, say, $80US
> range? I'm thinking about giving one as a gift and have never had or
used
> one, so I could use your experience.


Blinky,

I have the old "as seen on TV" mandolin. A cheap-o plastic one that I still
use. I'll suggest you buy one that has an under cylinder that has four or
so blade arrangements that you can dial that will protrude up through slits
so you can dice not just slice. The different blade arrangements are to
select a desired dice.

Also look for one that comes with a vegetable holder/guard that you sweep
along the mandolin's side rails to keep your hand protected from the blades
at all times. I'd be willing to bet I'd've diced a few fingers without one.

And lastly, stability and position. Some come with legs and others can lay
flat in certain size bowls, then can both be difficult to handle if they're
not firmly held in place.

Giusi mentioned blade sharpening, so if they have a removable blade (or
blades) that would be desirable.

My cheap-o unit came with a separate spiral slicer and a cute fruit design
thingy that went straight out of the box into the trash.

Best,

Andy