Börner V5 Powerline Vegetable Slicer Starter Set (6 pcs.) • Vegetable Cutter (V-Planer) for Fruit and Vegetables + Fruit Holder + Shelves with Box • 4 Cutting Layers

I must admit, I have a long love story (please, don't tell my wife) with Borner products since the 90's when I've purchased the V1 version. The simplicity, the usefulness, and the results were out of this world, not to mention that the blades remained sharp for almost 16 years.Sadly, we have recently moved, and the box containing my precious mandoline has mysteriously vanished during the process. The horror... I was stuck with large amounts of veggies, from celery to bell peppers, parsnips, radishes and spring onions, and a new soup diet directive from my Commander-in-Chief. That's no job for a knife wielder unless you're Jack the Ripper or a celebrity chef teaching us how to prepare the perfect boiled water.Therefore, I have turned my sights on Amazon and found the Borner V5. I've studied many other options, and they only slice and chop, but do not dice -- which is essential in any kitchen, unless you're living on pretty salads. For a soup, a stew, a shepherd's pie, even for a simple side dish, you WILL need dicing. The V5 has solved this problem in a very elegant and simple way -- you just push the 3.5 or the 7mm insert to the "dice" position which is clearly indicated on the surface of each compatible accessory, and that's it. Just need to be careful to alternate the position of the safety holder in respect to the V-blade for every pass - 45 degrees on the left, then 45 degrees on the right. You will get a very finely chopped "brunoise" or 7mm cubes, which are more than adequate for most recipes. There are loads of video tutorials about this, so please make sure that you are using this amazing setting on the V5, it's a real game changer.The V5 makes short work of everything you'll throw at it, soft vegetables or hard root ones. I've even tried to cut some cured meats on it, but the results aren't the best, as it's only designed for vegetables (in the case of meat, you're better with a deli slicer).I talk too much (at least, that's what She said), so here's the short version:What I've missed from the V1 version:- the waffle insert -- it was nice to have the option to do pommes gaufrettes, waffle fries, or criss-cross fries. But that's only cosmetic, not a deal breaker;- the bowl that collects all your (not-so) hard work. It was included in the V1 package, now it's a separate purchase (at least, on Amazon), but now it comes with a useful sieve;What I've considered as an improvement:- the dicing process - with the V1, you had to make cuts on the veggie (only achieved by using a knife, and that was the main reason why you would buy a mandoline, to get away from knives and angry wives!), at 90 degrees to the direction of the V-blade; now it's just a matter of setting the insert to the right position and repeat the mantra "45 left, 45 right";- various colours - the V1 was all white, and, based on my personal experience, I wouldn't recommend it, as it gets stained pretty quickly. Trust me, beetroot juice and white don't mix. I would go for the red or orange versions instead;- simple adjusting of the slicing insert, including the "safe" position which guarantees that you'll have all your fingers for the following day. One button to push and one insert accessory to adjust for the desired thickness, that's all it takes. No more separate inserts, no more switching, it's simple, functional and easy;- a blade box that keeps all your accessories together and it saves time as you won't have to search for an insert in all your kitchen drawers and accidentally find certain things you weren't supposed to find. You'll live longer.What remains unchanged:- I've only had the V5 for a few days, but the overall German quality and the sharpness of the steel looks the same. The V1 served me (me, not her) for 16 years without a hitch, and the blades were still going strong. It seems that the V5 is on the same level, the blades are razor sharp and merciless. Please read the manual and look for online videos before making the first cut;- 5 years warranty if you fill the online form on the manufacturer's website, which is nice as most manufacturers only offer 12-24 months. Yes, you would have to send your product back to Germany, but, hey, I've had mine for 16 years and it didn't let me down.Before I go (just got an emergency shopping call from the One I shouldn't speak about), one useful tip: the V5 comes with 3.5 and 7mm inserts which are appropriate for julienne and French fries, but not for proper British chips, which, according to the legend, are thicker and more vigourous. Well, it's not (yet) on Amazon UK, but if you search on the Borner UK website, you'll find a genuine 10mm insert with an extra blade box for under a tenner. And it's in your favourite colour (unless it's pink, statistics show that men are the main users anyway), so there's no excuse not to go where no French fry has gone before.

When looking through your options you will see six and seven piece kits, buy the six piece kit, the extra part is not worth the extra money in my opinion, it’s a cheap looking, uncomfortable to hold supposed peeler and apple core remover. Honestly it was so cheap and tatty looking it almost went straight in the bin. Instead it will lurk in the kitchen drawer as a reminder that I’m an idiot.The mandolin itself is superb. It is a replacement for an older version bought as a wedding present, it’s given 18 years faithful performance, unlike my ex wife, and has earned it's retirement. The new one has a couple of outstanding features, the adjustable depth of cut, and tge way it fits together for safe storage utilising the flat insert to protect your fingers. The addition of rubber feet give it purchase on kitchen surfaces to aid safety when cutting.The blades are lethally sharp, do be careful, keep it well out of the reach of children, concentrate on what you’re doing when using it. That’s my only gripe with it, but the improvements to the safe storage are a well thought out considerate improvement.As for cutting it breezes through vegetables. Remember to use the protector. It will take the tops of fingers of the careless.Storage has been thought through, the extra cutting blades fit snugly in the protective cover, they take deliberate action to remove, so shouldn’t just fall out and catch you out! This holder fits with the main body, you can slide the hand protector into it, keeping everything in one place, compact, simple, well thought out.Yes, the price is expensive, but in this instance, peeler aside, I think you’re paying for professional quality equipment and getting it.

This is my second V slicer I own. Product is great, good quality and design than my old one. Not a cheap product but does what's in the tin.

I have never used a V Slicer before, what attracted me to wanting one is that is reduces prep time and being a busy student, and at times needing to cook for a family of 5, I tend to go to the easy option of buying precut vegetables etc. Which costs much more for very little product. The item was well packaged, upon opening, there is a warning to not use before watching a video online, however the link given directed me to a online store written in German, however, YouTube has plenty of instructional videos mostly in German ...So far, I took it for a test drive as shown in the photo. Found the slicing tool very easy to use, and with no effort all. However I did have some difficulty in slicing a carrot but that's more down to my lack of experience than a fault. The julienne tool was impressive. I attempted to chop potatoes in cubes, however was not very successful ... Some practice will get me there!Cleaning was easy and straight forward, however drying with a cloth I found to be tricky, as the tea towel kept snagging on the blades.As a first impression I'm very impressed and look forward incorporating into my daily cooking routine.

What a fantastic piece of kitchen equipment. It's perfect for the experienced cook, and certainly not for those who don't have years of experience with their knife skills. Having used an earlier borner version before I give this a full five stars. I chose the orange colour for colour and to avoid any stains from carrots. I think the pealer that comes with the Borner V5 Plus set has more potential and I will update as I go along. I cored an apple successfully with the pealer so that's a plus. I wore the safety gloves though, as your hand comes in contact with the blades.. The five cutting options and the safety lock is a big plus, as those blades are super sharp. The julienne and dicing option is absolutely brilliant as well. As for the very last bits of carrot or vegetable left on the holder I just chop that up and incorporate into the dish as its hardly ever noticed with such fine cutting.