Vic Firth French Rolling Pin Reviews

• Getting Back to the Basics

  
  By AYPIF2S8P3RZT on 2005-12-07
  Sometime you just have to get back to the basics. Sometimes, it's the simplest design that works the best. Sometimes, all those fancy, additional features offered are just not worth it.
  
  I think that this is the perfect example. This rolling pin is so simple, so basic - yet so perfect. The price is perfect too. It does the job. Period. It's light, beautiful, easy to clean, easy to store, not big and bulky. I think that it is absolutely perfect and I cannot find any faults to it. There are a lot of options when it comes to rolling pins and now they even make silicone ones that won't stick to the dough. I think those are excellent products as well. But I'm a little more traditional and here is a very beautiful and simple wood one...and in this case, I prefer the wood to the silicone. Maybe because making bread items is so basic and so traditional...so the wood in this case just "fits" into the whole feel better. If I were to splurge though, I'd have both in my kitchen...even though I see no need for two pins - I did say "splurge".
  
  

• Not just for pie crust!

  
  By A2UO159YYWOKSG on 2005-11-18
  The other reviewers are quite right that this pin will get your pie dough smooth and round without all the fuss you are accustomed to. However, you will truly feel tears of joy and gratitude welling up in your eye sockets the first time you roll out a batch of tortilla dough with this handsome little devil. Hallelujah!!! Nothing is more embarrassing than presenting your guests with unshapely flatbreads (burnt because you toiled so long on each that the previous one was neglected on the griddle). This beauty gets it done with speed, dignity, and a touch of sass.
  
  
  
  

• Recommended by the pros!

  
  By AU9TCNOQQTJ58 on 2004-09-05
  Rolling out proper pie crusts that are both tender and flaky is easy to do with this pin. It is tapered from the middle to both ends. It is also easier to roll the dough thinly because the rolling pin pushes the dough from the middle. Furthermore, it rotates easily around the dough to make perfect circles. Since this rolling pin is longer than the regular 12" pins with handles, it is great for rolling out wide sheets of pasta or larger pie crusts.
  
  

• Simple and elegant (also inexpensive)....

  
  By A1LVW3BOWGX2FB on 2005-09-09
  I believe this company's other claim to fame is the manufacture of wooden drum sticks. When I have the time (and the patience) I am going to test this $9 pin against my $44 silicone pin. I suspect this one, due to its high degree of maneuverability, may come out on top.
  
  Do remember to have very clean hands though and keep them dry. Sweaty palms will force you to adjust the salt in your recipe. :o)
  
  

• Easy to use

  
  By on 2000-07-26
  Much easier to use than traditional rolling pin because instead of gripping the handles, your handles glide over the top making rolling much less effort. The tapered thin rolling pin enables me to have more control over the thickness of the dough. I can press down hard or use a light hand.
  
  
• Too short, too thin, and tapered too sharply
  By A26I1KCJ5XLR16 on 2008-02-09
  I ordered this without knowing the dimensions, which were not given in the description. The Vic Frith French Rolling pin was smooth and well made, but too short, too thin, and the taper began right at the middle, so that the center section was not flat, which made it difficult to roll pastry evenly. I measured the Frith dimensions as 20 inches long by 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and then ordered a larger model made by Fantes, 20 1/2 by 1 3/4 diameter, which worked much better.
  
  
• great rolling pin
  By APST0WPZKS2VK on 2006-02-02
  I have only used this rolling pin to roll out dough for cinnamon rolls so far, and it worked great. I like the length and light weight of this pin. It was very easy to use and clean. I just made sure it was lightly floured and didn't have any problems with the dough sticking. It was also very easy to clean - just rinsed off with water. I prefer it over my old rolling pin with handles which is heavier and makes an annoying squeaking sound sometimes. I am very satisfied with this rolling pin, and I have the Vic Firth French rolling pin on my wishlist.
  
  
• Tapered Rolling Pin
  By A281NPSIMI1C2R on 2000-12-21
  For some reason, this tapered rolling pin excels at rolling out pastry dough. I think you can apply more pressure in the middle of the rolling pin and that makes the dough spread out more easily than just continuous even pressure of a normal rolling pin.
  
  I tend to use both the old-fashioned traditional rolling pin and this one. I use the traditional one for rolling out dough I need in a square/rectangle shape and the tapered one for rolling out pastry dough and tortillas.
  
  So, if you are wondering why it is so hard to roll out pie crust, try this rolling pin and I can promise you will have a smile on your face! French pastry makers have this one covered!
  
  ~The Rebecca Review
  
  
• Easy to use
  By on 2000-07-26
  Much easier to use than traditional rolling pin because instead of gripping the handles, your handles glide over the top making rolling much less effort. The tapered thin rolling pin enables me to have more control over the thickness of the dough. I can press down hard or use a light hand.
  
  
• Elegantly Simple
  By A2W5ED9ISXMEJK on 2006-02-21
  I agree that this is a great rolling pin.
  
  I have had many different types over the years including marble and ones with gears inside. I purchased this because it was "easier on the earth" with less manufactuing involved. AND, there was nothing to break. I am happy to say that I really do love it and it works better than my previous rolling pins. The only downside is that it is much longer than rolling pins with handles so finding a spot for storage might be a problem. Other than that it is perfect -- nicely made and very smooth.
  
  
• Dough does not stick!!
  By A2PLGB52VCSYHG on 2007-02-02
  This rolling pin is a heaven-sent piece of kitchen equipment and I would like to send my former teflon coated rolling pin to some other non-heavenlike place...
  
  Rolling dough with this is very easy and it stays coated with flour quite well. I usually have a ton of problems with dough sticking to my rolling pin, but not with this one... AT ALL.
  Also, it rolls the dough extremely evenly - which is a nice bonus.
  The shape is really simple too, so clean up is a snap.
  This is a real winner for beginners and experts alike. I highly recommend it. It would make a great gift for someone who loves to bake as well.
  
  
• I LOVE this rolling pin
  By A35OVR77OAKY4Y on 2006-11-17
  I am a back to the basics kind of cook. I make bread, baked goods and pie crusts completely by hand and enjoy doing everything hands on. I completely agree with all of the positive reviews of this product. It is simplicity at its finest. I am so glad I purchased this even though I paid double the current price for it. NO regrets!!
  
  
• Love it
  By A2B3P3GYKLGPEZ on 2006-12-30
  Love my Vic rolling pins, couldn't ask for better value and price. Oil it occasionally and it will keep you happy.
  
  
• Makes the amateur feel good :)
  By A1A3LRH05PKTBD on 2007-01-07
  I barely consider myself an amateur in the world of baking, just recently getting into pie crusts and foraying into breads, but I had a marble pin, which while beautiful, drove me mad! I will freely admit that it's probably user problems, but using this Vic Firth makes me feel like a professional. Smooth crusts... no problems with the dough sticking to the pin (unless I go mad with the liquid), and so easy to clean and maintain. Definitely a good buy!
  
  
• Great Pin
  By A1QMHASESF9HUI on 2007-09-24
  I noticed this type of rolling pin being used on several cooking shows and decided to give it a try. I just love it and gave my old handled pin to Good Will! Very comfortable to use and lightweight as well. Works great! :)
  
  
• Great
  By A2B3P3GYKLGPEZ on 2006-12-30
  Love my Vic rolling pins, couldn't ask for better value and price. Oil it occasioanlly and it will keep you happy.
  
  
• Love it!
  By AAUN4K2ECSZQD on 2007-01-03
  I love the simple shape and design. I can easily manipulate it and get the thickness I desire from my doughs.
  
  
• Rolls like a charm
  By A2EPDAPR722YS5 on 2007-05-07
  Vic's Baker's rolling pin makes rolling cookie batter or any type of batter easy to do and control.
  
  
• Another great pin
  By A1QMHASESF9HUI on 2007-09-24
  I use this pin for rolling out pie crusts. Granted you can use it for more then pie crusts, for me this is more comfortable to use and get the desired thickness. The shape itself kind of helps in rolling dough out into a circle. I also bought the other maple pin by Firth w/o handles and use it for all other doughs; biscuits, cinnamon rolls, cookie dough etc. Both are great to use and the cost is reasonable enough to own both!!
  
  
• Great Rolling Pin
  By A3CPC7X81L264J on 2006-03-15
  I'm not an expert baker, but this rolling pin is perfect for me.
  
  
• SMALLER DIAMETER THAN EXPECTED
  By A13VRD542WGVGK on 2007-04-05
  I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS INEXPENSIVE ROLLING PIN. THE WOOD IS WONDERFULLY SMOOTH. I WAS SURPRISED, THOUGH, TO SEE THAT THE DIAMETER OF THE ROLLING PIN WAS SO MUCH SMALLER THAN MY TRADITIONAL ROLLING PIN WITH HANDLES. THE LENGTH SEEMS TO BE ABOUT RIGHT. I HAVE YET TO USE THE PIN, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT THE DIAMETER MIGHT MAKE FOR MORE WORK.
  
  
• This is great for chapatis since it is Indian in design
  By A34XMCWWOYJTG5 on 2007-07-24
  This design is used mainly in Indian cookery to roll chapatis. Any Indian grocery store will carry the same type at a fraction of a price and works just as well.
  
  
• Good basic rolling pin
  By A3BWJUI2NCO409 on 2007-08-19
  I like to bake but usually only stuck to things that didn't need to be rolled out - this was probably because I only had one rolling pin made out of heavy marble that I disliked having to pick up and deal with the handles turning around.
  
  I bought this French rolling pin on a whim because it was inexpensive. It's so light, easy to clean and easy to use that I find myself making and rolling out pizza dough, cookies and other pastries more often. For doughs that need to stay cold I'll probably continue to chill and use the marble pin but for everything else I'm using my new wood pin!
  
  
• The essential rolling pin
  By A8IIQNGBPES9U on 2007-11-12
  The pictures don't do justice to this rolling pin. The wood is dense and smooth (so sticking is not a problem) and has a nice heft in your hands. It's a perfect size -- big enough for a good sized pie crust and not so large it's unweildy. If you want to really get a feel for your dough, you need a pin like this rather than one with handles.
  
  
• Perfect rolling pin for real baking
  By A22JIWMYCNRYRR on 2007-12-23
  I saw a rolling pin like this being used on the Julia Child Master Chefs series, used to make puff pastry. It was obvious that it did not have the drawbacks of rolling pins with handles, or the tapered ones that make it difficult to make even thickness in dough.
  
  I had never successfully made puff pastry; it was too hard to work the dough properly. Just a rolling pin won't solve the problems, but this pin really made it easier: good control, just the right size and weight. Great for pounding dough or butter with a vengeance! Good, even thickness that makes it easier to get a consistent thickness in the dough. Feels good under the hands.
  
  Also works great for pie pastry, pasta, anything I've tried.
  
  Great product. Nothing flashy, no gadgetry, just a tried and true cooking tool.
  
  
• Beautiful, excellent quality, great value!
  By A3I5YPJZMTG1QO on 2007-01-11
  This is a tremendous rolling pin for a great price--buy it!!
  
  
• Nothing fancy, but gets the job done very well
  By A1U1Z3Q81DQKQA on 2007-01-14
  It is just what it looks like, a shaped piece of wood, but it does a great job in rolling out pie crusts, pastries, etc. Not sure why Amazon decided to send it in a HUGE box, though. Regardless, a very handy rolling pin, only caveat is that, unlike stone pins, it doesn't weigh very much, so, depending on the application, you may have to apply some force of your own (not a big deal, just different if you're used to a heavier pin).
  
  
• A truly amazing "rolling"
  By A1HW74KS27Q9XR on 2007-03-13
  Have used this rolling pin for cut-out cookies, pie crusts, etc. It is very easy to use because it does not have any handles that "turn" when you're rolling out your dough. The length is perfect and it seems you don't have to use as much pressure on your dough to get it just right.
  
  
• Does the job.
  By A2B85BB3CT9C2J on 2007-03-26
  This simple style of rolling pin is my favorite. It's light, easy to use and clean.
  
  
• Love it!!
  By A3MTE42NX2PZEB on 2007-12-17
  I just used my pin for the first time to roll out my sugar cookies. It worked wonderfully.
  
  It is light weight but made very well. After reading a review from America's test kitchen on French rolling pins I knew I had to buy one. I am delighted with my purchase.
  
  

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