We tried the pins Schneider immediately upon receipt. When too thick, the potatoes allows to cut, quite a force is necessary to push it through the knife. That is why we have the potatoes in about 5 - 6 cm wide cut pieces and they went without Another by the knife. The device itself is very stable and it holds already some pressure. The knife 12 x 12 mm is pretty rough, so it is recommended to the diameter 9 x 9 mm directly to order with. The device I can recommend. Better directly invest a little more money than afterwards buy twice.