A mandolin is a musical instrument. A mandoline is a must have kitchen tool. If you’re looking for uniformity in slicing, speed or shredding, a mandoline should be in your kitchen. The uniformity also allows for even cooking. This kitchen tool has been around for years and I can’t think of a chef that doesn’t own one.
There are many brands of mandolines and the prices vary. They all have sharp blades but the inexpensive ones will need to be replaced once the blade dulls and the expensive ones can have the blades sharpened. If you’re just starting out using one, try the inexpensive one. The blades last a long time. Some mandolines come with a lot of attachments. I use mine solely for slicing vegetables and fruits. Some have attachments that allow you to shred and grate and even make cuts for waffle fries. With a mandoline, you can make uniform slices from paper thin (For example: potato chips) or a little thicker (For example: potato gratin). I also like using it to finely shred cabbage for my fish tacos.
If you are a first time user of a mandoline, I would recommend that you purchase one with a food holder to avoid cutting yourself. Here are some examples of other mandolines that are available for purchase:
 
 