Mandoline: To Buy or Not to Buy? Questions Answered

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the experiences of participants regarding the use and sales of the Mandoline, with many sharing personal anecdotes about its performance and their preferences compared to other tools like the Ultimate Slice and Grate (USG).

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions using the USG occasionally and is considering investing in the Mandoline based on sales performance.
  • Another participant shares their experience of selling more Mandolines than USGs, citing safety issues with the USG after a personal injury.
  • Several users mention using the Mandoline frequently for slicing apples and potatoes, noting that practice may improve their experience.
  • One participant expresses frustration with the Mandoline's performance on tomatoes, describing it as a disaster.
  • Another participant states they do not show the Mandoline at parties due to feeling they lack proficiency, despite having some success at home.
  • One participant notes they have sold a few Mandolines but find it cumbersome to use smoothly.
  • Another participant expresses a strong dislike for the Mandoline, preferring the USG for its ease of use.
  • One participant mentions that they have sold a few Mandolines but do not love it, often opting to discuss it rather than demonstrate it.
  • A new consultant shares their positive experience with the Mandoline, comparing it favorably to an older model they own.
  • One participant notes that they have had issues with the Mandoline jamming during demonstrations, leading to embarrassment.
  • Another participant mentions that consistent use of the Mandoline may lead to better results and comfort with the tool.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ significantly among participants, with some expressing strong satisfaction with the Mandoline while others report frustration and a preference for alternative tools. No clear consensus emerges regarding its overall effectiveness or sales potential.

Contextual Notes

Participants share a range of experiences, from personal use at home to demonstrations at shows, highlighting varying levels of comfort and success with the Mandoline.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering the Mandoline for personal use or sales may find the shared experiences and opinions relevant to their decision-making process.

Kathytnt
Messages
2,616
I use my USG occasionally at home - I am trying to decide if I should invest in the Mandoline - Are you selling a lot of these???
 
I think I've sold more Mandoline's than the USG b/c of the safety issues. I prefer it since I was one that sliced my thumb on the USG! I think I've actually sold more Mandoline's at full price too! The USG was often a 1/2 price item!
 
I use mine quite a bit, but my kids love apples, and they are messy, so the slices are great. But I haven't really should many.
 
Wish you had another catagory...sell many but would like to love it more!! Tomatoes have been a freaking disaster for me. It's too bad because the USG could tolerate something other than a hard as a rock tomato!:(
 
It's not a big seller for me...but that's cuz I don't show it!
I still don't feel like I use it "smoothly" enough to show at a party, so I just don't use it. Last night, I sliced some potatoes on it using the crinkle blade and made fried potatoes, but they still got stuck quite a bit where I would have to stop, pull out the stuck potato, and then continue. Not as smooth as it should be. I guess I just need practice...unless someone has tips for us that struggle with the UM!
 
I have been working with it a lot more lately, trying to love it...I love the USG...maybe someday the mandoline will feel as easy to me
 
I sell at least one at every show- I love them! I sold a ton of USG's too because it was my favorite product. I would recommend that you use it more often for personal use to get comfortable with it for your shows!
 
We have been doing a ton of crinkle cut potatoes. Yum. Easy to use for use, so maybe it is just a matter of practice. Even my husband likes it.
 
I was happy with my USG (which I gave to my sister who just moved inter her new apartment) I've had the UM fail at me on 3 different shows (even after I practiced until I got it smooth beforehand) but while demoing it jammed or failed to cut. It was embarrassing so its now in my cabinet. Much easier to use a knife... sigh...
 
I love my UM - I use it at every show and sell a few per month...I adore it!
 
I'm not a big UM fan. I think it's great if you're in to presentation but otherwise I'd rather use the knife.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Wow - The polling is neck and neck
 
KellyTheChef said:
It's not a big seller for me...but that's cuz I don't show it!
I still don't feel like I use it "smoothly" enough to show at a party, so I just don't use it. Last night, I sliced some potatoes on it using the crinkle blade and made fried potatoes, but they still got stuck quite a bit where I would have to stop, pull out the stuck potato, and then continue. Not as smooth as it should be. I guess I just need practice...unless someone has tips for us that struggle with the UM!

My biggest advice would be to let the UM do the work - don't push hard on it, just keep guiding the guide down....and don't stop or slow down in the middle of slicing - slice quickly and at an even speed.....does that make sense?
 
I absolutely hat the UM!!I have practiced and practiced and in my humble opinion that thing sucks hiney!! I LOVE my USG and use it all the time WITHOUT the guard and have yet to cut myself!! I am so very careful when I get to the end of whatever I am slicing. The USG is soooooooooooo easy to use compared to the UM!! I have sold a whopping 2 since they have come out!!


P.S I probably just jinxed myself... I need to find some wood to knock on.
 
I have sold one, but plan on buying one this month so I can push it more.
 
I don't use it at home much because I hate cleaning more than I have to at home. But, anytime I've used it at a show I sell it quite a bit. I like it.
 
crazy4dabug said:
I don't use it at home much because I hate cleaning more than I have to at home. But, anytime I've used it at a show I sell it quite a bit. I like it.

I just toss the whole thing into the dishwasher!
 
I truly hate this thing....LOL Sorry!! HEHE. Most of my people like it and I talk it up, but I don't like it at all. I would rather slice with a knife. I just think it is flimsy and kricity...not true PC quality. I use it well and I goes over well at shoes, but I don't like using it. I think its a pain when cooking and I wouldn't use it normally. The only thing I really like it for is slicing lemons and limes. really pretty.
 
I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! I don't sell all that many, but I don't show it as often as I should...I think maybe next month, I'm going to do everything with ONLY kit tools, that way I'm not bringing too much, and I'll surely have my mandoline! I liked the USG, but I LOVE the mandoline. I think it's much safer and the crinkle cut blade ROCKS!
 
I have one, don't love it, don't bring it to shows, have sold about 5 since sept. I have tried and tried to love the UM, I just find it a waste of time. Yesterday, i shredded an entire head of cabbage with the Santuko (my real true love). I just feel I have the knife out already to hack up what ever I am slicing, it is usually just easier to continue with the knife.
 
I don't love it but a have sold more than I thought that I would around 15 sence they came out. I try to love it and I wish that I did. I take it to all of my shows especially the last two months but I don't use it I only talk bout it. EVERY time I try to demo it it never works!!! I do much better just talking about it!!! I have used at home a few times with success!! but not a lot.

heather
 
I am a new consultant and received this in my kit. I absolutely love it. I have an older mandoline and it is very scary. In fact I take both of them with me to shows to give the comparison and have sold at least one at every show. I would not dare go to a show without it.
 
I use it at every show. I use to sell tons of USG because I always used it at shows and at home. I did not like the UM at first, but after using it more and more, I like it so much better than the USG. It comes in the new kit, so we need to be comfortable with it to be able to teach new consultants how to use it.
Between the UM and the Santoku knife you have $129 worth of product and with those two products you can slice anything.
 
I just did a show Monday night and the host has every PC tool and product (working on signing her!) ANYWAY, she has wanted to see the mandoline and use it in the demo. So I brought it and was so embarassed :o as how it cut the tomatoes. She had ripe tomatoes and it just mushed them up! She wasn't impressed. I had brought a couple of tomatoes with me (firm and not as ripe) for my demo, worked much better. Just don't like to have to make sure I have harder tomatoes to work with. :( I have no control over what the host purchases for the food! And it also gets clogged and I have to stop and clean it out. Maybe I am doing something wrong?? :confused:

She has a slicer (like the USG) she got at the state fair and says that works so much better and is going to just keep that one! Now I am really embarassed!!

I never had the USG so I can't compare.

Kelly
 
KellyRedHead said:
She has a slicer (like the USG) she got at the state fair and says that works so much better and is going to just keep that one! Now I am really embarassed!!


Kelly

I'm betting it's the same slicer I have--German made, and a joy to work with. I've had mine 20 years and still prefer it to the UM. It even slices very ripe tomatoes!

I'm pushing our wonderful knives more than the UM since I just don't trust the UM at a show.

I wish it was more reliable, I'd love to be selling more of them!
 
You have to just keep using and using the UM...slice everything in your kitchen with it - use it over and over and you'll get comfy with it. I love it and it works beautifully - just KEEP PRACTICING IT!!
 
I have also had problems with the tomatoes. Any suggestions?
 
I have a problem with my adjustable blade my husband thinks it is defected. when i use the adj. blade on the thicker slice it never slices on it it slides to the thin slice automaticly and it will not stay on the thick for even one potatoe slice!!!! so i can only have potatoes that are thinner then potatoes chips. nothing thicker. it is so frustrating

does anyone else have this problem??? do you think there is something wrong with the UM ?

heather
 
Mandoline or no Mandoline? That is the questionI dont have one, was planning on getting one, now not sure if its worth it. Have to think about it. $60 is a lot of money.:rolleyes:
 
I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I have sold quite a few without even demoing it! It's awesome and really a great price compared toother brands!
 

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