French chefs made the mandoline famous, and this French-made version is the original, top-of-the-line tool for quickly producing perfect-and perfectly beautiful-slices, julienne strips, and fine strands of fruits and vegetables. Plain or fancy, every cut is consistent thanks to the mandoline's heavy, stable, durable construction. Among the mandoline's most popular uses is the conversion of the humble spud into french fries, matchstick or straw potatoes, lace-cut or crinkle-cut potatoes, and those thin slices called "soufflé potatoes" that magically puff up when dropped into hot oil. The mandoline sets up at a ski-slope angle on folding legs. Levers and cranks raise and lower blades and cutting plates. To clean, simply rinse under running water. A mandoline is great fun to use, but it's a serious piece of equipment: a Norpro Stainless Steel Mandoline Guard is available (sold separately) to help protect your fingers. Though the mandoline can be used without the guard, do so with care. -Fred Brack.

Hoffritz's large box grater allows you to slice cheese, grate vegetables for stir-frys, or zest lemons or oranges for baking. Its large handle provides an easy grip, while the rubberized bottom cushions the grater from harming countertops or dishes, and the extra storage container is ideal for pre-prepared items or for when you have grated a little too much. Its stainless-steel construction assures limited rusting and dishwasher safety. -Madeleine Miller.