The first thing that strikes you about the Tilley Meatkutter is its robust construction - made of 2mm aluminium and finished in tough black powder coating. It is available in two sizes, 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch cutters. It's certainly built to last and unless you happen to lose it or be relieved of it!, it'll probably end up as a family heirloom!
Although it seems bulky it will soon disappear in the bottom of your carryall with all the other 'essentials' used on the bankside! Personally, I prefer to cut up my meat at home so that I can flavour it and then freeze it overnight.
The 'TM' comes in three parts, the main body, which has grids of specially strong titanium wire securely fixed with stainless steel screws, a dual plunger device to push the meat through both channels and an aluminium strip which acts as a divider between the two operations to prevent the meat from being forced sideways back into the first channel.
Operation is simplicity itself, even for someone with sausage fingers like myself and once you've got the hang of it, it is possible to cut up a tin of meat into hundreds of quarter inch cubes in about ten seconds. The cutter fits perfectly over a Drennan Maggibox for the final operation so all the bait falls straight into the box, then all that is required is a dusting of maize or your favourite flavouring.
The pieces of meat are exactly the same size, which makes it superb for loose feeding, as you don't end up with cubes all different sizes. I soon found out that the meat cuts a lot cleaner if it spends a few hours in the fridge, and the cutter cleans a lot easier if it also spends a few hours in the fridge where the bits will brush straight off. The cutter can also be cleaned in boiling water.The speed and efficiency of operation means a whole match team could get by on one of each size, but I would recommend it as a worthwhile investment for the individual, especially if you fish a lot of commercial fisheries or go to festivals as this is one quality piece of kit. Look after it and it will serve you well for many years. Shaun Stockley, Team Willow.
Top Tip: Soak the 'TM' in boiling water for a few seconds before use and watch it scythe through the meat.
The Tilley Meatkutter on test was the 1/4 inch version and the price of both size's is £35 (UK: p&p included. OVERSEAS: e-mail for additional postage charge) and will be available on matchangler.com's online shopping store VERY, VERY soon, however if your chomping at the bit to get hold of one we've managed to get hold of a few, so if you send a cheque/PO for £35, made payable to Matchangler.com, we'll wing one off, just as soon as your paperwork clears! Don't forget to include a return address, phone number and the size you require.
The address is:
Matchangler.com,
29 Fairfax Road, Old Woking, Surrey GU22 9HN