Thread: mandoline: V shaped blade or slanted?

On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:
> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? Are "V" shaped blades better
> for fruits? Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain kinds of
> food better than slanted blades?

I don't think I've ever seen a horizontal blade. Which one's are
perfectly horizontal? All I've seen, even on a cheap multi-grater
with a slicing slot, it's usually at an angle. As for V vs single, a
good one only needs one blade. Get a Benriner or Super Benriner.

nb

Thufir Hawat wrote:
> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? Are "V" shaped blades better
> for fruits? Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain kinds of
> food better than slanted blades?
>
>
> thanks,
>
> Thufir

This from a "Mentate"
--

Mr. Joseph Paul Littleshoes Esq.

Domine, dirige nos.

Let the games begin!
http://fredeeky.typepad.com/fredeeky.../sf_anthem.mp3

On 2010-10-05, JL <[email protected]> wrote:

> This from a "Mentate"

No doubt hooked to a cat drool drip.

nb

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:46:19 GMT, notbob <[email protected]> wrote:

>On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? Are "V" shaped blades better
>> for fruits? Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain kinds of
>> food better than slanted blades?
>
>I don't think I've ever seen a horizontal blade. Which one's are
>perfectly horizontal? All I've seen, even on a cheap multi-grater
>with a slicing slot, it's usually at an angle. As for V vs single, a
>good one only needs one blade. Get a Benriner or Super Benriner.

A blade presented at an angle requires less pressure and cuts
cleaner... try slicing a ripe tomato by presenting the blade
horozontally and pushing straight down and you'll know why mandoline
blades are set at an angle... look here:
http://www.guillotine.dk/Pages/Gallery.html

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:40:18 -0400, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:46:19 GMT, notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? Are "V" shaped blades
>>> better for fruits? Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain
>>> kinds of food better than slanted blades?
>>
>>I don't think I've ever seen a horizontal blade. Which one's are
>>perfectly horizontal? All I've seen, even on a cheap multi-grater with
>>a slicing slot, it's usually at an angle. As for V vs single, a good
>>one only needs one blade. Get a Benriner or Super Benriner.
>
> A blade presented at an angle requires less pressure and cuts cleaner...
> try slicing a ripe tomato by presenting the blade horozontally and
> pushing straight down and you'll know why mandoline blades are set at an
> angle... look here: http://www.guillotine.dk/Pages/Gallery.html


What kind of a person builds guillotines as a hobby?

Anyhow...these ones looks horizontal:

Norpro 305 Deluxe Mandolin Slicer

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?
cid=5570616730774195933&q=mandoline#

http://www.acitydiscount.com/FMA-Sta...ine-Vegetable-
Slicer-MANO.0.54463.1.1.htm


-Thufir

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:29:04 +0000, notbob wrote:

> On 2010-10-05, JL <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> This from a "Mentate"
>
> No doubt hooked to a cat drool drip.
>
> nb

Here we go

Usually it's the "sapho" jokes, but that's the first mention of cats!
Actually, I never thought anyone would ever "get" the name, it was
*supposed* to be a quasi-riddle/anon, but it seems that, almost
universally, everyone reacts. I suppose usenet is a slightly biased
sample for sci-fi, though


-Thufir

On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:

> universally, everyone reacts. I suppose usenet is a slightly biased
> sample for sci-fi, though

Geeks subsets are pretty universal.

nb

On 2010-10-05, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> A blade presented at an angle requires less pressure and cuts
> cleaner...

Duh. You state the obvious.

nb

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:46:19 GMT, notbob wrote:

> I don't think I've ever seen a horizontal blade. Which one's are
> perfectly horizontal?

Most of them:
http://www.cooking.com/products/shpr...ords=mandoline

My Oxo has horizontal blades. Note that the horizontal blades allows
interchangeable blade configurations.

-sw

On 2010-10-05, Sqwertz <[email protected]> wrote:

> My Oxo has horizontal blades. Note that the horizontal blades allows
> interchangeable blade configurations.

So do angled blades. See below:

<http://www.surlatable.com/gs/super-benriner-mandoline-mandolines-slicers-cutlery-12.shtml>

nb

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:01:26 GMT, notbob wrote:

> On 2010-10-05, Sqwertz <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> My Oxo has horizontal blades. Note that the horizontal blades allows
>> FOR EASIER interchangeable blade configurations.
>
> So do angled blades.

My Oxo has a "Dial A Blade".

-sw

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:01:26 +0000, notbob wrote:

> On 2010-10-05, Sqwertz <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> My Oxo has horizontal blades. Note that the horizontal blades allows
>> interchangeable blade configurations.
>
> So do angled blades. See below:
>
> <http://www.surlatable.com/gs/super-b...ne-mandolines-
slicers-cutlery-12.shtml>

Will that one, or any of them, do thick carrots for soup?


-Thufir

On Oct 6, 6:19*am, Thufir Hawat <hawat.thu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? *Are "V" shaped blades better
> for fruits? *Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain kinds of
> food better than slanted blades?

Is there any correlation between the shape of the blades and the
length of the users' fingers?

LW

On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:

> Will that one, or any of them, do thick carrots for soup?

That's the only problem with the Benriners, 3/8" max. The big ones
will slice a thick as you set them. I have a 10" chefs knife for
that.

nb

notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Will that one, or any of them, do thick carrots for soup?
>
> That's the only problem with the Benriners, 3/8" max. The big ones
> will slice a thick as you set them. I have a 10" chefs knife for
> that.
>
> nb

I agree, the main reason for a mandoline is to get control when you need to
make thin uniform slices or fine julienne. For thick carrots such as for
soup, I usually split them lengthwise and then cut the halves into 1 1/2
inch lengths. If the carrots are on the skinny side I just cut them 3/4
inch without splitting. At those thicknesses you'll make fewere cuts so I'm
not sure a mandoline can outrun good technique and a sharp knife anyway,
especially where cleanup is concerned.

MartyB

On Oct 5, 10:19*am, Thufir Hawat <hawat.thu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? *Are "V" shaped blades better
> for fruits? *Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain kinds of
> food better than slanted blades?
>
> thanks,
>
> Thufir

"Oh Thufir, I see they've installed your heart plug already.... Don't
be angry. Everyone gets one here.

On Tue 05 Oct 2010 06:15:47p, Nunya Bidnits told us...

>
> notbob <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On 2010-10-05, Thufir Hawat <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Will that one, or any of them, do thick carrots for soup?
>>
>> That's the only problem with the Benriners, 3/8" max. The big
>> ones will slice a thick as you set them. I have a 10" chefs
>> knife for that.
>>
>> nb
>
> I agree, the main reason for a mandoline is to get control when
> you need to make thin uniform slices or fine julienne. For thick
> carrots such as for soup, I usually split them lengthwise and then
> cut the halves into 1 1/2 inch lengths. If the carrots are on the
> skinny side I just cut them 3/4 inch without splitting. At those
> thicknesses you'll make fewere cuts so I'm not sure a mandoline
> can outrun good technique and a sharp knife anyway, especially
> where cleanup is concerned.
>
> MartyB

I also agree. I use a mandoline for slicing cucumbers for pickling,
potatoes for au gratin or potatoes anna, thin slices of tomato, etc.
Otherwise, I use a chef's knife for thick slices or chunks.

--

~~ If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it. ~~

~~ A mind is a terrible thing to lose. ~~

************************************************** ********

Wayne Boatwright

Lyndon Watson <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Oct 6, 6:19 am, Thufir Hawat <hawat.thu...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Why are mandoline blades different shapes? Are "V" shaped blades
>> better for fruits? Are horizontal blades better at slicing certain
>> kinds of food better than slanted blades?
>
> Is there any correlation between the shape of the blades and the
> length of the users' fingers?
>
> LW

Yes, if you're not careful.

On Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:24:40 GMT, notbob wrote:

> On 2010-10-05, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
>
>> A blade presented at an angle requires less pressure and cuts
>> cleaner...
>
> Duh. You state the obvious.
>
> nb

at least it's not obviously wrong, like most od his posts.

your pal,
blake