The difference between a $30 and a $120 mandoline was a trip to the ER

I bought a cheap one for my home kitchen and it slipped, taking a chunk of my thumb. At work, we use a Bron Coucke and the non-slip base and guard make it safe and fast. Is the pricey professional gear always worth it for safety, or can you train around cheap tools?

3 comments

3 Comments

rosew371mo ago

Can you really train around a tool that's poorly designed? A good guard and stable base are basic safety features, not just fancy extras. Trying to be perfect with a slippery, flimsy tool is asking for trouble.

kelly.felix1mo ago

Totally get where you're coming from. I tried to make a cheap table saw work for years, always fighting the fence. Ended up buying a used one with a solid base, and it was a night and day difference. You can't focus on your cut when you're wrestling the tool itself.

coleman.karen10d ago

Reminds me of my old circular saw that would bind on every other cut. You start focusing so hard on fighting the tool that your form goes out the window. It's just not worth the risk when a solid tool lets you focus on the work.