val189 said...

> On Oct 3, 6:30 am, Andy <q> wrote:
>> 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
>
> This is a far as I dare read. With quivering lip, I am wondering if I
> can really live without a mandoline. I do own Feemster's Famous
> Finger Slicer which I haul out when I want uniform 'tater slices.


val189,

If you've seen the model you want to purchase properly demonstrated, 80%
of the intimidation fades away.

Its another thing as a first time mandolin owner to safely figure it out
on your own, imho.

It's fast paced elbow work, due to the nature of the beast. Experts can
probably get along better with a great knife in similar time.

Martin Yan comes to mind.

Best,

Andy