ZylissSharp Edge Pizza Cutter

USING> The sharp blade will cut anything up to 1 1/2" thick, including pizza, dough, brownies, muffins, pita bread, thin sandwiches, etc.> Since there is no handle, you've got much better leverage, particularly if you are standing and the pizza is on a normal-height table. I'm not sure I'd say that it is easy for the elderly with weak wrists (it can still take some force to break a crisp crust), but it is certainly far easier than standard pizza cutters, particularly if you keep it sharp. Folks with weak wrists could use both hands.> To keep it sharp, it is best to cut your pizza (etc.) on a wooden or plastic cutting board---not on a metal pan. If you buy frozen pizza, then save the round cardboard beneath the pizza to cut it on.HOW TO OPENWith the "Zyliss" nameplate facing you (as in the photo above), grasp the tab on the right side with the thumb and forefinger of your right hand. Push up with your thumb, push down with your forefinger. (It's a twisting motion). The shell will pop open. Continue in the same direction (counterclockwise) to rotate the shell open. DO NOT try to pull the shell apart, it ROTATES opens on a short "axle" (on the left side, opposite the tab) like the hands on a clock.HOW TO ASSEMBLEWith the shell fully open, grasp the blade and slide it into the slot in the bottom side of the shell (the side WITHOUT the Zyliss nameplate). Then rotate the shell closed.STORAGETo protect the blade from dings and your fingers from danger, it is best to hang the Pizza Wheel on a plastic hook by the 3/8" hole in the blade. Unfortunately the blade is non-magnetic, and so will not stick to a magnetic knife rack. If you store the Pizza Wheel in a kitchen-tool-drawer, then I suggest using the temporary flimsy plastic blade cover which is part of the packaging.CLEANINGDisassemble, and handwash, or wash in your dishwasher. It is best to hang the blade in a hook or place it in a plastic basket to protect both your dishwasher rack and the cutting edge. According to other reviewers, dishwasher washing weakens the plastic shell so that it breaks after a year or two. I've used mine at least once-a-week for about two year, with no problems---albeit, I always hand wash it. I also suspect that it is primarily the drying cycle of dishwashers which actually damages plastic---indeed some dishwashers don't have drying cycles. Actually metal and ceramic dishes will usually dry fine without a drying cycle---it just takes a few more hours, and saves alot of electricity. So, you might consider turning the drying cycle off, if you have that option.SHORTCOMINGSThe Pizza Wheel is large---about 5 1/2" across. If you are not good at visualizing how big that is, I suggest check out the size with a ruler. Don't buy it to save space, it won'tThe smooth plastic surface can be slippery, and might be a problem in small weak children's hands. A pebbly surface, or raised lines would be easier to grip with wet or greasy fingers, but would be less attractive and not as easy to clean. The Zyliss Pizza Wheel is as safe or safer than any other pizza cutter---but ANY tool with a blade is potentially unsafe in the wrong hands. Note also that tools with dull blades are actually more dangerous than tools with sharp blades (because the extra strength required reduces control)---treat it like a fine chef's knife---keep it sharp---keep it away from small children. I can't believe it, but lawnmowers are now intentionally being sold with dull blades as a "safety" feature.EVALUATIONFits perfectly into the palm of an adult hand. Cuts almost effortlessly. Disassemblies and cleans easily.PACKAGING PROBLEMSThe reason for the few less-than-five-star reviews is the "international packaging", which essentially excludes any meaningful instructions. The Pizza Wheel is very easy to use, easy to open, easy to reassemble etc., but is intimidating if you don't know how. A single wordless cartoon the size of a postage stamp does not constitute "meaningful instructions". I've seen other good products (such as laptop computer locks) getting awful reviews for the same reason---no meaningful instructions. Amazon should require meaningful English language (or English and Spanish) instructions on all the products they sell in the U.S.(but my bet is that Amazon REQUIRES international packaging---since everything I buy from Amazon comes in "international packaging").If you love superbly designed kitchen gadgets (particularly if you are looking for a gift for cook), I suggest that you strongly consider a  OXO Good Grips Pepper Mill ; a Zyliss Food Chopper, White  a OXO Good Grips Mini Chopper , a  Microplane Professional Extra Coarse Grater  and a  Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater  (if you haven't yet discovered the joy of zesting lemons and oranges, this is the tool to learn with)> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

Was disappointed that this isn't made as well as the original ones I purchased years ago. Much more difficult to take apart to clean.

This is my second purchase of this exact pizza cutter. For some reason opening the product for cleaning is extremely difficult. This is not how my previous tool worked.

Used one of these for about 10 years with great results. The design allows all of the force to be applied directly over the blade for maximum efficiency. No having to go over the same area multiple times.Then my mother-in-law moved in with us and wanted to use her [multi-level marketing kitchenware company] pizza cutter instead of my superior Zyliss Pizza Cutter Wheel and Slicer. Well, a few days ago, after having used my Zyliss to slice some delicious take 'n' bake pizza, I discovered the Zyliss had been broken during washing.I quickly opened my Amazon app and ordered a replacement Zyliss Pizza Cutter Wheel and Slicer. It arrived the next day, and I will never have to use her inferior pizza slicer in this house. Disaster averted.

These are the easiest pizza cutters to use. I used to prefer a big butcher knife instead of pizza cutters, because they were easier to get the force to cut all the way through the crust. This changes your leverage compared to regular pizza cutters with handles, and makes it super easy to slice all the way through the crust, smoothly. My sister bought me one, because she loved them, and I was surprised I actually really loved having it.I discovered that hers had broken (the plastic part), and ordered her a new one.Unfortunately, the plastic casing on her new one is incredibly hard to open and close for washing. It is a pain to deal with, and feels like a hazard that you might cut yourself, since you have to put so much force on it. Also, the plastic inside had an unfinished part (maybe where it came out of the mould?) that has a sharp edge. It feels sloppily done; poorer quality than her previous one & mine that was bought several years ago.If she wasn't so busy in her life right now, I'd have her return it...maybe she got a defective one.

After great service for over 20 years the pivot point on the old cutter broke out."No Problem" this cutter is still made...The new one has succumbed to "cost savings" and appears to be "Not" as durable as the original.Works well, I just don't expect it will last for "decades" like the original has.

We got our first one over 20 years ago and only just replaced it this year. Very easy to use and to clean. It's a great addition to your utensil drawer.

AN AMAZING GIFT for someone that loves to make pizza, fresh or frozen.I love this pizza wheel. Anyone that has not used a pizza wheel slicer has not lived. You simply do not understand how amazing they are. And Zyliss makes a good one. The only drawback is cleaning it, but aren't all pizza slicers a little pain to clean. I just lick it clean first (like an animal) after slicing and that really helps because the sauce and cheese don't have time to harden.

This is THE cutter chef Alton Brown uses in his TV shows. Lovely, clever design capable of all kinds if kitchen tasks - not just slicing pizza. Had quite a time figuring out how to access the blade to clean it. No instructions provided with it and couldn't find any on their web site. Finally went to Youtube and watched a demo. STILL haven't figured out how to safely remove the blade from its housing.

This pizza cutter is superior to any we've used before. Would definitely recommend.

This is a decent pizza cutter. Like previous reviewers observed, the quality of this cutter is MUCH different than my older version... My older version is perfect - I just thought a second one for the cottage would be a good idea. The older one has a hard plastic case with arrow markings on it to indicate the direction to push for opening the cutter, for inserting the blade, and for closing it again. With the correct effort, the older version opens easily, and the blade is easily removed for cleaning and re-installed. This new cutter's housing is a softer plastic with no markings, the two halves of the case are very tight, making it difficult, even dangerous to open. The blade does not easily snap in/out, which again makes this unit dangerous.This new cutter, like the older one, still has an excellent stainless steel blade, it feels good, in hand, and does a great job cutting. The primary complaint is that it is so stiff to open to clean the blade. Be careful handling it!!

Use for Pizza, Quaesedillas etcInstead of using one finger to push/hold pizza cutter, your palm goes over red wheel.I bought one and love it! Bought my mom one so she could use with arthritis in her fingers making a traditional pizza cutter difficult to use. Toss in dishwasher all the time and comes out clean even though I recently realized it opens for cleaning.

Had one for years. The best ever. Dropped the old one on the tile floor several times before it finally broke. Had to get a ew one.