OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer

We purchased this mandoline after it "won" the top spot on America's Test Kitchen's product reviews, over products that were much more expensive. America's Test Kitchen was considering safety features, as well as good slicing and convenience. It does have great safety features (which is a good thing, because those blades are SHARP!!!) And it works as well at slicing ripe tomatoes (which many mandolines mangle) as it does at slicing onions or potatoes. Great product, and yet another example of Oxo's great product design!

We loved the OXO mandoline and used it religiously for around 8 months. We received the present as a gift for our wedding and my wife, being Thai, used it liberally to make spicy papaya salad (som tum). The blades stayed sharp, the depth planer worked well, and we made french fries as well and it worked beautifully. One sad day came however when the depth adjuster fell apart and the slicer would no longer hold its depth. We looked into getting a replacement...

... until I noticed on the box that there's a lifetime warranty and replacement policy. We emailed OXO on December 24th, and on December 26th emailed an email that they were willing to replace our slicer with a new one. We received the replacement yesterdaybrand new and ready to fresh vegetables into small uniform pieces!

This is my first review, but I feel like I should publicize a good deed when it's done, especially from a corporation. Thanks OXO, from a frequent buyer.

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I've used Borner V-Slicers for many years and I wanted to try a different machine, so I picked the OXO based on the cost and positive reviews.

Pros: Interchangeable blades; adjustable slice thickness; folding back foot

Cons: The blades are fussy to change; the julienne blades are not long enough for anything more than the thinnest slices

I want my mandoline to be fast and easy to use and clean. The Borner V-slicer fulfills this need, but it can make only 2 thickness slices. I liked the idea of the adjustable slice thickness of the OXO, but it seems to be of little practical value. Changing the julienne blades on the Borner is very fast and eash, but on the OXO, it is much more difficult and I feel that I'm in danger of cutting myself while I'm doing it. The OXO feels more precisely made than the Borner, but that feel doesn't translate into a better product. Cleaning the Broner is faster and easier than the OXO. Setting up and cleaning the OXO just seems like way too much of a project, and as a result, I find that I usually pick up a knife instead.

Update: I chop a lot of onions, so I've decided that the best way for me to use this machine is to leave it set up as a dedicated onion chopper, with the coarse multi-blate insert always in place. It's always ready to go and it's fairly easy to clean with a sink sprayer. Now that I'm not having to deal with changing the blades, I pick it up all the time for this tedious chore.

Read Best Reviews of OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer Here

** UPDATE 02-16-2011 ** I noticed an additional item in the picture of the slicer. It's part of the accessory "Cubing Set" from Oxo (P/N 1136800), and is not included with the original purchase. It's designed to make larger cuts, is available from Oxo.com (not sure about Amazon) for $9.99 plus shipping. I've ordered one and will review it later.

Received my Oxo mandoline slicer yesterday and immediately tried it out. . . on one of the toughest vegetables to slice: a tomato.

PROS:

Some people's reviews have complained that the slicer was "sticky." That's caused by the dry plastic food guide. Dip the tip of your finger in olive or cooking oil and spread a very light film of oil on the ramp where the food to be cut slides down toward the cutting blade. Voila! No sticking or jerkiness.

As to the result with the (very ripe) tomato? Excellent cuts!

Also tried the crinkle blade on an unpeeled cucumber. Again, excellent results.

Haven't yet tried the other blades but, from the previous cuts, I assume the results will be the same.

Nor have I tried to use the food holder (used to protect your hand). But it seems well designed and should work okay.

After having tried two different economy slicers from Wal-Mart, and throwing them in the trash, I was worried about the results from this product. I shouldn't have worried. It's quite satisfactory.

Cleanup's not a problem; hot water and a spritz of liquid soap (as long as the food's not dried on it anywhere). Just be careful of the blade. And it's easier to use--and cleanup your work area after--if you put the mandoline on a sturdy cutting board while you work.

CONS

Blade changing is somewhat of a challenge. . . You'll need the instruction manual the first couple of tries. If you've misplaced yours, you can get one at: fantes(dot)com/slicers-mandolins.html

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America's Test Kitchens evaluated mandoline slicers and chose this one as their favorite. Features they liked:

'V' blade gets high marks: Models tested had straight blades (bad), or diagonal blades (better), or 'V' blades (best). All could slice hard things like potatoes & carrots, but only those with a 'V' blade could slice a tomato without destroying it.

Pusher handle keeps your fingers away from the blade

Slice thickness easy to adjust.

Comes with 3 blades that conveniently store in the bottom of the unit.

Good value for the price. (There was one product they rated higher, but it sells for over $300!)