How to Use a Mandoline Safely
Always use the hand guard or food holder, and add a cut-resistant glove for real protection. Slice on a stable surface, keep fingers well clear of the blade, and stop slicing before the vegetable gets too small to hold safely.
Protect your hands
Mandolines cause frequent, deep kitchen cuts because the blade is exposed and razor-sharp. The two most important habits are using the food holder or hand guard that comes with the mandoline, and wearing a cut-resistant glove on the hand near the blade. Use both, not one.
Set up and technique
Place the mandoline on a stable, non-slip surface or over a bowl so it will not shift. Slice with a smooth, controlled stroke, and keep your guiding hand flat and clear of the blade path. Stop and switch to a knife once the vegetable is too small to hold securely in the guard.
After use
Clean carefully, keeping fingers away from the edge, and store the mandoline folded or with the blade covered so no one reaches onto it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a cut-resistant glove for a mandoline?
It is strongly recommended. The food holder helps, but a cut-resistant glove protects your hand directly, which matters given how sharp and exposed mandoline blades are.
When should I stop using the mandoline on a vegetable?
Once the piece is too small to hold securely in the food holder. Finish it with a knife rather than risking your fingers near the blade.