Many models use plastic or ABS bodies paired with stainless-steel blades; several items are described simply as metal or with stainless-steel body or blade components.
Hand mandolines show slice settings from about 1.0 mm up to 9.0 mm, with julienne options at about 4.5 mm and 9.0 mm. Electric deli/meat slicers provide adjustable thickness controls in ranges from 0 mm up to roughly 12–16 mm.
Many include a food pusher or food holder to keep hands away from blades; some commercial slicers add blade covers, automatic food pushers, and emergency-stop features.
Sizes range widely: compact mandolines are a few inches high and weigh around 1–3 pounds, while commercial deli/meat slicers measure in the 20–30+ inch range and can weigh dozens to over a hundred pounds.
Some mandoline and V-blade designs note less pressure is needed for softer foods like tomatoes, while electric deli/meat slicers perform best with firm or chilled foods; softer items may need preparation such as pre-chilling or using light pressure.