Norpro 370 Bread Slicerand Guide with Crumb Catcher
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List Price: Our Price: $11.99 You Save: $10.00 (45%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Norpro 370 Bread Slicerand Guide with Crumb Catcher
Customer Review: Serious and dangerous design defect
Summary: 1 Stars
I usually don't give one star reviews. I am doing so because in addition to not working properly, when used in connection with sharp tools, such as a bread knife, it is dangerous. Unfortunately knives are an essential component of a manual bread slicer.
Here is the problem. The Lucite guides are too flimsy and when the bread knife is working the loaf, which has to be in a sawing manner, the knife slips out from the guides and then pushes into the lucite which gives way. Even though I have a very long knife, this problem was constant, no matter how I adjusted my sawing motions. Because one hand must cut while the other hand is pushing on the bread to hold it tightly against the "backstop", one hand is always close to the blade which can be randomly deflected and slice a hand.
I do not recommend this bread slicer to you. In addition to the defect above, which makes it completely unsuitable, it does not slice soft bread well at all. It might work on a firm loaf like a fruitcake, but frankly I wouldn't even try that.
Customer Review: Helpful Kitchen Tool? Not Really!
Summary: 3 Stars
When this gadget arrived, I attempted to use it to slice the cranberry and nut loaf I had recently baked. The wood is raw and unfinished so BE CAREFUL ABOUT SPLINTERS! Some of the wooden slats were loose upon arrival and I found I had to constantly tap them back down into place. It appears that the staples/nails are not long enough to keep the slats in place. The slicing guides were frustrating as the bread knife I was using was not quite long enough to stay in the slots plus the knife blade kept getting caught and stuck on the plastic guides. To make matters worse, as I was slicing the loaf, the plastic end piece suddenly popped off. This bread slicer is not as sturdy, or as easy to use, as I thought it should be. The only thing that worked was the crumb catcher. Too overpriced for the quality that I got and I'm NOT happy about that! Whoever designed and manufactured this bread slicer needs to return to the drawing board. Nice idea on paper but the product itself needs improving in order to meet its potential.Customer Review: Mistaken Purchase
Summary: 1 Stars
This is a poorly designed product - but seemingly the only similar item to be had. When mine arrived, one corner of the wooden box wasn't glued together at all. I tried to use it that way, taping the corner together. That didn't really help and I ended up drilling a small hole and screwing it together in that corner.
It is so wide that an eight inch knife is not usable for the slicing process so it was necessary to purchase another knife so add on another $20 minimum (if you can find a knife for that price).
The end piece tends to fall out because the slicer is too wide to support the loaf of bread. After receiving the slicer, I received two end pieces from Norpro with a sticky note saying "hope this helps".
If I had any eye-hand coordination to begin with, I wouldn't use this poor excuse for a slicing guide but since I don't, I guess I'm forced to use it until I can find another.
I didn't even mention the soft wood and unfinished state of the basic box. Overall a bad decision on my part!
Customer Review: It's better than nothing
Summary: 3 Stars
I make my own bread (in a bread maker) and like being able to have evenly sliced pieces ready to use. However, these slices are rather thick. Also, I find it is not long enough to do a loaf of bread. I have to cut part of it then turn the loaf to cut the rest meaning the piece in the middle is a different size than the rest. I also have to place a rubber mat under it to keep it from slipping while I cut, I have to place a small cutting board inside with a rubber mat under it so I don't get wood with my bread (which also means the crumb catcher is of no use) and I haven't yet found a bread knife long enough to easily go across the width of the opening between the sides. It would be better to be an inch or two narrower. This would also prevent the loaf from moving from side to sice while cutting and/or having to try to hold the loaf in place while cutting and I cut 2lb loafs. So, for the price I guess it is okay and I do use it. But hopefully I will find a better one someday that isn't too much more expensive.Customer Review: Wonderful Bread Slicer - Assumes User Understands How It's Designed
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read most of the reviews, and it appears that negative reviewers are not using a proper knife which must be 10+" long. For example, I use this one and let it gravity cut (with no downward pressure needed) it.
Forschner / Victorinox 10-1/4" Curved with Wavy Edge Fibrox Bread/Carving Knife - NSF Model 40547
It also has soft pine wood specifically so you don't dull your blade edge. If you wanted, you could use a simple saw to cut 1/8" deep slots into wood so knife would finish cutting bread without pressing on wood. Only takes a few minutes with a simple hand saw.
I use the Norpro non-stick pans which end up with a loaf that is 4" high and 5 3/4" wide, so the guide width of 6 3/8" x 5" high are the perfect sizes. To get perfect, consistent slices is a dream come true.
So, if you use a proper 10" bread knife, this is a great slicer for home bread makers.