Zyliss Sharp 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 OPEN With 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 ASSEMBLE With 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. STORAGE To 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. CLEANING Disassemble, 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. SHORTCOMINGS The 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't The 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. EVALUATION Fits perfectly into the palm of an adult hand. Cuts almost effortlessly. Disassemblies and cleans easily. PACKAGING PROBLEMS The 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; aZyliss 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.