Average Customer Review:
 ( 32 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
130 of 130 found the following review helpful:
 Matfer vs Bron vs BenrinerNov 25, 2001
By santacruztacean
My first mandoline was the Bron which is visually the most serious/macho/cool of the bunch, but its shortcomings were unacceptable - the slicing blade is one-piece stainless, and can't hold a sharp edge; the julienne blades are not sharp and can't be sharpened; and the safety carriage is designed to not go past the cutting edge. I sold it.
I now have a Matfer (the all-stainless model) and it has a 2-piece slicing blade: the cutting edge is high-carbon steel (which can be sharpened and hold its edge) welded to a stainless part. The julienne blades are very sharp (altho can't be resharpened). The safety -gadget thing works well, but can't be used for waffle cuts. I use the Matfer only for waffle cuts and if I have large quantities of slicing. If you want french fry size potatoes or are slicing celeriac, you're better off with a sharp knife. The disadvantage of this machine is that you can't adjust the slicing blade's uniformity of thickness - my slices are thicker on one side (the Bron had more adjustment leeway).
The machine I use the most is the Benriner - the slicing blade is very sharp and is sharpenable. The (unsharpenable) julienne blades are extremely sharp. It can't do waffle cuts and is not good for massive quantities of large cuts. It's best for finer julienne and thin slicing such as potatoes, cucumber or daikon.
Don't even consider using these machines without the safety gadget.
Unless I have a large quantity of slicing to do, I'd opt for a sharp knife, because cleanup time counts too.
209 of 215 found the following review helpful:
 Slices, julienne: yes; Crinkle, waffle cuts: noNov 14, 2000
By Eva Deck
"edeck"
I returned the mandoline. Unfortunately, it did not perform as I had hoped. I have had an inexpensive plastic mandoline for several years, but have never been able to cut anything but soft vegetables like zucchini or potatoes with it. I have an inexpensive tool that slices all vegetables in all thicknesses. When I purchased the Matfer Mandoline I looked forward to what was labeled as a "professional" model that I hoped would be able to do waffle and crinkle cuts on vegetables like carrots as well as slices and julienne. I was unable to do so. The serrated blade does not seem to be sharp enough. I called the customer service number at Matfer and they admitted cutting carrots could be difficult. Waffle and crinkle cut carrots are however, pictured in the video although the demonstrator does not use anything sturdier than a zucchini for any portion of the demonstration. I also found the "pusher" difficult to use especially on smaller vegetables. The grip points do not really hold the vegetable. The customer service representative said it was important to use force in pushing vegetables through. But that resulted in the pusher cutting grooves in the vegetable and sliding over the vegetable. I purchased the mandoline after reading all the rave reviews here and am very disappointed.
67 of 70 found the following review helpful:
 Simple and Effective - everything you need in a mandolineDec 26, 2000
By Vincent Vega
Contrary to the opinion of others that saw the Matfer Mandoline as difficult and even dangerous to use, I found no such problems. Foremost, it is not dangerous. Of course if you run your fingers down the side of the blade you run the risk of cutting yourself, but if you follow directions or at least have some common sense, that will not happen. In all the times that I have used it (quite a few), I have not injured myself once. Regarding its inability to cut, specifically the waffle cut, I am puzzled in that regard as well. As soon as I opened the Matfer Mandoline, I watched the 11 minute video, and then proceeded to make waffle cuts on a potato. They were fine, and with a quick adjustment, as instructed in the video, I achieved the result that I wanted. I tried with carrots as well and attained the same success. My only complaint, though ever so small, is the scant reading material that came in the box. I was hoping for a small book, but instead I got a pamphlet. Although all the cuts are covered on the video, some paper reference would have been nice. However, that is rather insignificant to what it can do. All the three Julianne cuts worked well, and it is designed to accommodate left as well as right-handed people. It is also convenient to clean and store. Altogether, a fine product.
67 of 71 found the following review helpful:
Worth every penny.Apr 28, 2000
I used to own something else called a Mandoline, but now I realize the error of my ways. I rarely used that other thing: it was complicated to get it to cooperate, rather dangerous, and not all that sharp. Mafter has created a legacy with theirs. This is now one of my favorite kitchen tools. My brother (the real chef) is constantly asking me to bring it along when I come to his place for dinner, and he is further delighted when I leave without it (that means he gets the thing to himself for at least a week or two). Fun, safe, solid (totally rigid), sharp, easy to use. Who could ask for more? Just close your eyes when you get to the total page (what you don't see can't hurt you?).
79 of 85 found the following review helpful:
An Indispensable Kitchen Tool!Nov 10, 2000
Cooking is my passion, but I have always had grievous difficulty slicing onions (tears, burning eyes, etc.) I received this mandoline as a wedding gift and use it all the time! It slices onions (and everything else, for that matter) razor thin in a matter of seconds. The speed with which you can slice things all but eliminates the burning eye issues. It comes with three insert blades for making julienne slices of varying widths (great for carrots and potatoes) that also help for instantly "chopping" onions. I don't know what I ever did without this in my kitchen ... I couldn't recommend the Matfer Mandoline more highly!
See all 32 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 32 reviews
