The knife (blade) was dull. The rest of the machine probably works great - but since the main function is to grind meat with those blades, it's difficult to tell. Order a "Stainless Steel knife, #10 grinder". You might not find this on amazon.The "C" part of the clamp is only 1/2 inch deep, if you have a decorative edge on your counter (bullnose etc) greater than that the clamp will not fully catch the counter. Since the clamp only opens to 1 1/2", you can't put a piece of plywood on your counter and clamp onto plus the counter. The only solution is to get a couple of C-clamps and clamp a piece of plywood overhanging the counter, then clamp the grinder to that.Other than that, it seems very sturdy and well made. You can coat the knife and the grinding plate with mineral oil to prevent rusting (vegetable oil will eventually turn gummy and rancid).