Price doesn't always correlate with quality. So proves the Norpro. I found that this unit is clumsy and clogs often. The guard (sold separately) will not admit reasonably sized items, e.g. a large potato, doesn't secure the item to be sliced, and leaves an annoying amount of waste. Their legal department should take a look at the policy of selling the mandoline without a guard. You are looking at some serious time in the emergency room without it. I suggest you look elsewhere.