For cutting vegetables, we're partial to the Little Beni Vegetable Slicer. Made in Japan, of dishwasher-safe plastic, it measures 12" by 4" and costs just over $20. Beni's very sharp, flat, stainless-steel blade will adjust from 1⁄8" to paper-thin, and it comes with three extra blades that will slice vegetables into a fine delicate julienne, a medium shred, and a french-fry cut. This great tool fits in any kitchen drawer, is very easy to use, and, for our money, almost threatens to make those big expensive metal mandolines obsolete.