GreatGadgets 1619 Retro Nutcracker

It looks like something out of a metalworking workshop...but is works pretty well, the only nuts causing real problems were almonds. Two main problems: first, the fragments of shell go everywhere - truly - and you spend a lot of time sweeping the floor (some sort of clear plastic cover might help); and, second, the standard of manufacture is not of the best - the end of one of the rivets holding the lever mechanism in place is already working loose and it won't be long before it fails (and will be difficult to replace). Having said that, it does attack walnuts, pecans, Brazils and cob-nuts quite well (but watch out for the shrapnel).

I brought this for my parents for Christmas, because they're unable to use the more conventional pincer ones due to health reasons.It certainly caused a surprise, because of how it looks, but then also for how it operates. Once the handle is screwed in, and you make the adjustments depending on the nut you want to crack, it's a breeze. Even with the smaller nuts, all you have to do is reverse the the screw bolt (opposite end to the handle side) so that the smaller ones like hazelnuts, can be cracked.It's very easy to use, and really shows no mercy when in use. I saw the comment about bits of nuts being up noses and that didn't happen, probably because you don't need to use that much force! Yes it's messy but then, isn't every nutcracker?5 stars for this, and I'd certainly recommend it to others.

This is a sturdy nut cracker which is easy to use. The handle unscrews so that it fits back in to the box, which is good for storage. The only down side is that although the adjustable barrels enables you to crack different size nuts, it does not go down to a small size. I bought it to crack hazelnuts from my tree and they are too small. It does work if I put two nuts in at a time!

the gadget broke on the second day of use repaired it myself with good quality bolts ,now works quite well

Looks better than it works. Sends exploding nuts all over the place. Pin attaching handle to base popped off first month. Has now become a paperweight. Nuts.

I have only given four stars because the end of the barrel where the screw barrel goes in is very rough. We have got to file the jagged piece of metal off on the end of the barrel otherwise someone will get a nasty cut. Final checks before it was boxed has been missed. I have now downgraded item to 3 stars as we used the item last Christmas and this Christmas whilst using it the front rivet on the arm sheared off. Luckily, again my husband being a DIY person, we have put a bolt where the rivet went and we can still use it. So, good idea, but materials are inferior quality

I bought this Nutcracker just before Christmas. I have bought several Nutcrackers before, but this one is the business. It will be the only Nutcracker you will ever need. It is well constructed and strong. It cracks 'Brazil Nuts' with ease. My young Grand Daughter managed to do it, using this cracker. One of the other reviewers mentioned "if you want nuts flying around the room etc". Well all can say, is that it was being used wrongly. This Nutcracker never failed once. If like me you have bought many inferior products. Then this one is for you. I give it 5 Stars with no problem at all.

This works on all sizes of nuts with ease. Points to note that I could not find in the instructions are that the anvil barrel can be adjusted by screwing or unscrewing it to accommodate large nuts eg Wallnuts to Almonds - for smaller nuts you have to unscrew the anvil barrel, completely removing it. If you then turn the anvil barrel around and screw it back in the nut cracker will then handle smaller nuts, such as Hazelnuts - on arrival our nut cracker was set up to handle large nuts. A little inconvenient but can be accomplished in a matter of seconds - but a pain if you are randomly making your way through the nut bowl a little drunk at Christmas. Surely a bit of a design tweak could overcome this and make it the perfect nut cracker. However, it's relatively cheep and being a dab hand at woodwork I may mount two alternatively set up nut crackers on a larger wooden base.