Free Microplane, but no handle

[phatj]

I received in the mail today my "Free Gift" from Cook's Illustrated, a Microplane zester. (I have no idea what I did to deserve this, but the included packing list says I don't owe anything, so I'm keeping it.)

It's nice enough, including the heavy plastic sheath that's de rigeur these days (my old one just has a cardboard sheath, which I still use). But it has no handle, which pretty seriously limits its usefulness.

As you can just barely see in the linked photo, it has at one end two offset holes; would it be feasible to attach some sort of third-party handle to this thing? Any other suggestions, short of using Vice Grips to clamp onto one end? Obviously it would have to be pretty cheap or I might as well just go buy a new Microplane, with a handle and the plastic sheath.

Link

[Octaveman]

lay it down on top of a bowl or plate and go to town? Maybe? Nothing a few popsicle sticks and some duct tape couldn't fix.

[cdh]

You don't need a handle. Microplane graters cut so effortlessly that you really don't need to grip it tightly or exert much force.

I've had that model for 6 years and gotten plenty of use out of it.

Edited March 22, 2007 by cdh (log)

[scubadoo97]

I have one of those without the handle. Works great. It's plenty long so there is ample working area without the handle.

[phatj]

Thanks all.

After further inspection, I have concluded that the plastic sheath can actually function as a makeshift handle, should I need it. The thing is longer than I would realistically need, and the sheath fits quite snugly, so I can just partially unsheath it and hold it by the plastic should I desire a handle.

[Joe Blowe]

Have a look at the Lee Valley zester holder -- you may want to order one if you find the microplane difficult to work with on its own.

[Pam R]

I've gone through several of those over the last 8 years (from Lee Valley). Not sure if the holder is necessary. If you're holding the rasp as the person in the picture is, why not let the zest fall into a bowl or onto a piece of wax paper?

[K8memphis]

To me, the joy of using a zester is that you can hold the fruit and scrape it with the zester so you don't have to keep turning the fruit over and looking to see if you're hitting the pith or whatever. Y'know like holding the zester handle like a violin bow. Too awkward to turn the fruit over repeatedly. If there's no handle then that's no fun.

Edited March 23, 2007 by K8memphis (log)

[phatj]

To me, the joy of using a zester is that you can hold the fruit and scrape it with the zester so you don't have to keep turning the fruit over and looking to see if you're hitting the pith or whatever. Y'know like holding the zester handle like a violin bow. Too awkward to turn the fruit over repeatedly. If there's no handle then that's no fun.

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This is how I normally use my current Microplane. Hopefully I can find a way make the new one work similarly.

[DerekW]

The microplane blade you have will fit a standard hacksaw frame, allowing you to 'bow' it across those lemons and limes

Perhaps more seriously, if you have a friend who does much woodwork then they could easily rustle you up a more 'violin bow' style handle. I'm thinking of something along the lines of the 'slice regulating' breadknives made from old bandsaw blades, often seen at craft fairs.

I have a little one-handed microplane zester which I made for myself for fun one day...