I'm writing this post, not to gross you out, but to warn you. It's now my culinary goal to warn everyone I can...when using a mandolin, use the guard. Unfortunately, I did not heed my own advice and now the tip of my finger is gone.
It all started innocently enough; I had just gotten my new mandolin as a gift from my friend Marcela and was in the middle of catering a tea party when it happened. It's what every cook fears. The utter shock. Then the blood. All because of the cucumbers. Damn the cucumbers!
You see, I thought I was safe. I've got experience with this thing plus, it was only a cucumber. But when it comes to a mandolin, no one is safe. There's a reason they put that guard in the box. Use it. You will save yourself the horrible pain and hours spent in the ER.
The show had to go on and the tea party went off without a hitch. The host, my friend Kim, recruited Marcela to help finish the food and I was giving them recipes from the ER. They pulled it off beautifully, I made it back just in time for the party and a good time was had by all. I was assured that my finger is going to be fine, luckily it was just the tip; no serious damage done and I'll be back to cooking in no time.
So in closing, when using the mandolin, I bid you good cutting and don't ever think it won't happen to you. It will, eventually, so use the guard!
oh man that sucks! i'm glad to hear that you're okay though. those things are super dangerous! i've only used mine a few times, but i'm always so nervous!