I want to buy a good rolling pin for fondant and cookie dough. I have seen the silpin but the shape kind of threw me off. Also what is the consensus on the silpat mats?
I am trying to get all the things I will need before I quit work.

Well I am nowhere an expert yet but I can tell you what I like. I have 4 silplats. Two that are the size of a large baking sheet that I use CONSTANTLY, and two large ones for rolling out things. Wilton's rolling matt is different than the silplat but doesn't stick either, and of the two, for fondant, I prefer the Wilton one because it is smooth (once you heat out the wrinkles from the folds, they really should package it rollen instead) and the silplat has a small amount of texture to it which gives you the slightest impression on the fondant. For cookies, either is fine but I use the silplat.
My husband bought me the white silicone rolling pin about 1 1/2 months ago. I like that it rarely sticks but getting used to rolling without the handles is tough. If you want to try the silicone to see if you like the texture anyways, there is a mini one for flowers ect that is about half the price. Good Luck.

I bought a long wooden rolling pin without handles - absolutely cannot use it to roll fondant, I have to go back to my handled (albeit shorter) one.

I have a stainless steel rolling pin that works beautifully for both fondant and cookies

Thanks ladies. It looks like everyone has a different favorite. Any more??

I love my Wilton wide glide. You get used to not having handles! It is just the perfect weight, you don't have to put your muscles into it so much! I've never heard of "silplat", is that a brand name? Pretty well all we have around here is Wilton. I was wondering how to get the creases out of my rolling mat! How do you heat it up, just in hot water? Or do you have to steam it or something? (Sorry, I have more questions than answers!)

I was told to either iron it between a towel or hold it over the steam of boiling water. I chose the boiling water.

I use a long piece of pvc pipe that l bought from a plumbing store.It is long enough for rolling fondant without leaving edges that a rolling pin does. It is one of my essential pieces of equipment that l could not live without.!

WOW....I wouldn't have thought of that one. Good idea. Thanks everyone.

I have a tupperware rolling pin and mat that work perfectly. Even my Wilton Instructor said it would work the best and I didn't need to buy anything else. I bought a clear shower curtain and washed it and cut it into fourths to roll large pieces of fondant. It works great.

ooo Shower curtain! Great idea. I will be stealing that one!

If you want an outstanding rolling pin check out Sur La Table - Sil Pin Rolling Pin. There around $40.00 but they are wonderful! Also have the sil plat mats.

Thanks for all the replies. You are all very helpful.

I personally love a nice long French rolling pin. I've used one long one that is the same thickness through out and also a tappered one. I find I roll faster and have more control with the French pins then the Wester style ones (the ones with handles).

The french pin doesnt tweak my wrists like the westers ones do for some strange reason. I guess since I'm using my palm to push and glid the pin instead of pushing down hard to help the spead of the fondant.

To each their own
But each is handy in their own way so buy one of each
Ohh I also found a super cool retro pin in an antique shop that was aluminum and the body of the pin is Pink with silver handles! I Love It!!! Never use it but love it.

The additional ingredients used in the manufacture of the PVC makes it non-food safe. Each country has different formulae for the PVC: so safety could depend upon location

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-6659-pvc.html

I have a marble rolling pin and I love it! Works great.

i like my sil-pin

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the input.