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Yay! Cheap mandolines! I always figured I had to do without because they were so pricey. I'll be out looking for one soon.

There are some really good deals out there. Purchased a stainless steel mandoline at Costco for only $39.99. Simular ones goes for $120+ and this one includes a bunch of blades.

Every time I see one used on television, I want one badly. I especially love it when they are used to create long, crunchy threads of vegetable. I'd have to get one of the ones that have a hand protector though, I'm deathly afraid of slicing off a finger.

I had one for a while, after drooling over it at Pampered Chef parties for many years (I ended up having a party at my own house and got it with the big discount). But after a few months, I got rid of it, because there were a lot of pieces to it and they didn't store easily and I found that I didn't use it--it was actually easier to use the Cuisinart sliding blade.

I use mine all the time for all different kinds of things-it is great to own one.

I bought an expensive French mandoline several years ago and still use it regularly. I'd love (or maybe hate) to know if the inexpensive Japanese types are as good.

first, i had the wllm sonoma stainless mandoline. it was fine. then, i got the wllm sonoma black plastic mandoline, it was better, more stable. then (they were all gifts, don't think i'm crazy for this) i got a cheap one from bway panhandler. my favorite is the wllm sonoma black plastic one. for what it's worth.

I got the OXO one a couple of years ago for a gift, it is great, and doesn't have a lot of parts, just the hand guard is loose, and that just sits on top of it when it is not being used. But it works great and I love it, had been wanting one for years when I got that one.

I have a Kyocera mandoline I purchased a while back at W-S. It's great! Compact, light, with a nice sharp ceramic blade, I've used it for slicing cucumber for an asian cucumber salad, but also for slicing potatoes for potatoes anna.

I'm not sure how it would hold up for harder vegetables like carrots (the ceramic blade flexes a bit), but for my purposes it works great.

The downside is that the slicing width (depth?) is fixed unlike the bigger, heartier metal mandolines (and obviously only slices - no criss cross cuts here). Also, since it doesn't have an integrated stand, slicing large amounts can be tiresome (I usually balance it over a bowl). I think for the price, it was a good deal though.

I have the Kyocera mandoline. It's so sharp that I almost took the tip of my finger off as I unpacked it from the box! (Took weeks to heal...)

But it's great. I highly recommend it.

I have one, not sure what brand since my boyfriend got it for me for Christmas. Can't stress the need to use the guard though, thought I would save time and slice my potato without it and now I am nursing a hacked up pinky. So be careful!

But they are great none the less. Wouldn't give it up, thats for sure

i also have the black plastic wm sonoma mandoline- a gift. my husband uses it all the time BUT like all sharp things that can't be sharpened, eventually one has to throw it out. so cheaper ones would mean being able to replace the worn out mandoline more often.

I got one at a yard sale and I like it a lot. No finger guard though - I too hacked a finger. The blade is very sharp and it took a while to heal. Now I hold the item I'm cutting with a fork as I'm slicing it, since I've thought of no other way to do it.

We have one. Years ago we went to Atlantic City and won a little more than $100. We ought a blender and a Japanese brand "Benriner" mandolin. Click my name for the item. It's fantastic.

I have an old-fashioned food slicer—a slanted surface with a single opening/blade that sits on four little feet. A friend had one and swore by it. It was about $7. I forget the brand but it's one that's been sold for decades and never changed even the packaging. Anytime I need to slice potatoes I bring it out.

carla, i have a benriner too! love love love it! it's main purpose in my kitchen is to make thin sweet potato chips that i douse with olive oil and bake and eat with cilantro pesto. and i love the japanese english on it "happy vegetables make eating love!"

We have the OXO Mandoline. My mother got it for us after being told by the William Sonoma people not even to consider theirs and to just get the OXO. Its great and we use it all the time

Phoebe! That sounds amazing. I'll be making it this weekend!!

carla- enjoy! :) lots of lime in the pesto is key.. and add a little salt and freshly ground pepper before you put the chips in... the thinner they are the faster they burn, so keep an eye on them-- i think it takes about 20min.

what do you use your benriner for?
xp

Has anyone ever used an electric one?

I am thinking of buying the Cook's Essentials one.

Has anyone used the de Buyer Mandolines? There are three types V-pro, and the La and the Swing which I think is the black plastic. Are they worth the money? Any suggestions on which to buy? I have a pampered chef and sort of have problems using it.

I just got the OXO mandolin today. I wondered what the little holes on each side of the hand guard were for. Apparently you can snap the handguard upsidedown under the mandolin for storage.