i know the kitchen tool called a mandoline--
a little bigger than a flat grater (6 inch/16mm) by (12inches/30mm) or so, it has a V shaped opening in the middle.

Various blades can be snapped (or inserted, and secured with s screw and cap nut) The blade depth can be adjusted to cut thin or thick slices, and some blades have additional blades, at right angles to the main one, to cut julliene peices.

Mandonlines (small mandaia's?) have "pusher' to hold the food, which is pushed to top, and the slid down the mandolin, which is held at close to 45º angle.
(i'll go look for a photo link)

http://www.bettycrocker.com/BettyStore/Store/ItemDetail.aspx?IDCode=P&ID=2149

my other obsession