I like this corer/slicer very much and the results that it produces, but the criticisms of it are largely true. It does take some effort to use. I am 77 yrs old, but I am also fairly tall (63), so I can get a good bit of my upper body over the tool when using it to bear down. I usually get it done in one very hard push, but occasionally have to give it a second push. On rare occasion I have had to hit the handles with the palms of my hands to knock the cutter all the way down. I can readily see that shorter people might really struggle with using the tool since they would have to do all the pushing with just arm strength. Also, based on my experience, the product is likely to fail within a year of regular use. The tack weld on one of the blade pairs broke on mine (see attached photo). I had no problem with the plastic breaking, as did others, but it doesn't surprise me that such failures would occur. The problem lies in the force necessary to pass the 16 blades and the circular corer through the apple. It's simple physics -- more blades, more force, more stress. Mine lasted about a year with almost daily use on one or two apples, so, for around $25, I'm happy to buy a new one every year.

I wanted 16 slices, why? One great for snack size and perfect for apple pie. The tray is a bonus. This tool leaves only the slices and the core.

Because of so many segments, alot of force needed to push through an apple. Plus you need to line up the arrows on the base for a complete cut. The older, all metal oe with 8 segments worked much better

Love the thin slices that are cut smoothly and easily!

I purchased this based on reviews. I did not have any luck. Had a granny smith apple and it cut into the first inch and that was that. I thought if I pounded the apple it was attached to into my cutting board it might go farther but then I would have had mush at the bottom of my apple.

had an 8 slice version. this worked better for getting thinner, more easily handled slices for my kids. handles are grippy, even when wet. the blades are sharp. works great.

I really like this. I'm glad I bought it. Easy to use. I learned quickly to push as slow as I can to make sure I'm lined up still before I push it that last little bit. The cutter cut a deep groove in the plastic on the bottom when it came unaligned while pushing through the apple and the blades didn't fall in between the raised areas of the base and instead hit the raised areas. I prefer this to the ones without the base because it actually does cut all the way through.

I love the thin slices. However having to have the extra piece under the bottom to cut all the way through is a pain.

This creates the perfect sized slices for a pie or eating. My only comment is it doesn't always cut cleanly all the way through, and there are still a few small pieces of the edge of the core left. But it is easier and more consistent than cutting and cutting by hand.Update: I discovered it does cuts cleanly all the way through if you use it like the directions say. I get individual slices now, perfect for eating, without any extra work. Those tiny pieces of core must be small enough I don't notice because I've eaten several apples now, perfectly sliced, and haven't had to spit anything out.

This is an apple cutter, it cuts apples. I've had a couple apple cutters before but not like this apple cutter. LolOverall we like it and it cuts apples quickly and easily. We really like that it cuts smaller slices (for our toddler) and has a base to help protect your counters and/or cutting surface. It can be a little flimsy though and sometimes will misalign but once you get used to it this is easily worked around.

Liked the slicer but trying to get the base positioned just right led to slicing through the peaks on the base. It's hard to line up when the apple is almost through it.

the slicer works beautifully and has sturdy handles for secure grip. The cover it comes with to store it the cabinet wont stay on securely. You snap it in place and it just pops off. Hopefully I just got a bad cover.

The thinner slices are nice! The wide easy to grip handles are much better than any I've tried before. It's a little difficult to get it stable to slice evenly down the top of the apple. But it's still a very nice slicer. I'm happy with my purchase.

Nice to slice apples into smaller pieces, but be cautious when you're moving fast. I sliced a sliver of plastic off and it ended up attached to an apple slice. I start off of the plastic now and end the cutting on the plastic once I have gone halfway through the fruit.