I lived sixty years without one. When a recipe dictated "cut in butter (or shortening)," I used my fingers or a couple forks. I make a mess just getting a glass of water when I'm in the kitchen so the clean up didn't matter. I don't even have a clear memory of buying this thing. I think I was on my way to the register to purchase something else and maybe just grabbed it on my way. Anyway, this pastry cutter makes baking more pleasant, keeps my hands a little cleaner, and is dishwasher safe. Get one and if you find you haven't used it in, say, a year, give it away.

Works good for cutting into pastry dough as well as slicing and breaking up other foods.

This will make it easy to mix the ingredients for my pastry. Excellant price as well. Thank you Macys!

Purchased to blend scones and has worked well. It doesn't seem super sturdy. I don't anticipate it will hold up long-term, but still good value for sale price.

Hurt my hands, too big for my small hands. Also, didn't like that the sides were 'open' and dough got stuck in the nooks and crannies.

I needed a pastry blender for making pie crusts and this was exactly what I needed. The price was great and it is durable! So far my pie crusts have been a big hit!