I Just Wasted $20 On The "ultimate Cake Leveler"

Decorating By LoriMc Updated 4 Jun 2014 , 8:07pm by cupadeecakes

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LoriMc Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 3:33pm
post #1 of 27

Just a forewarning to any who may be interested in buying the new Ultimate Cake Leveler from Wilton. I was less than pleased with it.

It folds, which I though would be convenient, but actually the blade is not level when it is stretched out. Totally bowed in the middle! Also the notches for the blade are at specified levels, which I felt were too far apart. You end up cutting off more cake than you want, because you can't get in between two levels.

Guess I'm going back to the cheap little wire one I have used for years!

26 replies
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ChRiStY_71 Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 3:38pm
post #2 of 27

I hope Santa brings me an Agbay! icon_smile.gif

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JenFailla Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 3:42pm
post #3 of 27

I just made the exact same mistake. My hubby did the clean up after my last cake and I couldn't find where he put my little cheapo wilton wire leveler. He wasn't home and didn't pick up the phone, so off to michael's I went. I saw my old version for like 4 bucks, but then I saw the ultimate one- it looked good and I thought, well at 5 times the price- and by the same company, this one should be great- I'll treat myself. So I got it, took it home, opened it up and once I snapped it together, I knew it was garbage- I stuck it right back in the box- drove BACK to michaels, returned it and got the little wire one again. Sigh- someday I'll get an agbay icon_smile.gif

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LoriMc Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 3:48pm
post #4 of 27

I don't know what an agbay is, but obviously I need to find out!

Not all Wilton products are junk. I was surprised at how bad this one was.

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Dani1081 Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 4:09pm
post #5 of 27

Totally agree. Give me the little wire one any day! I was considering trying to sell my Wilton Ultimate cake leveller on ebay, but I'm not sure I'd even be able to sell it there! icon_smile.gif

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cheriej Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 4:17pm
post #6 of 27

Once you get the agbay you will wonder how you ever baked without one. I don't even make that many cakes but that agbay is so easy to use, and so much more precise and clean in torting than anything else.

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sccandwbfan Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 5:26pm
post #7 of 27

I have the old style one for more than a year; I've never had any problems with it. It's annoying that it doesn't fit anywhere, so I just hang it on the side of my cake table.

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cakedout Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 5:41pm
post #8 of 27

The "$20" should have been your first clue.... when it comes to levelers, Wilton's are crap.

Spend the bucks and get a professional one! You will wonder how you ever did without one!

A friend's hubby made a special wooden wall hanger for mine. thumbs_up.gif

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leah_s Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 5:59pm
post #9 of 27

Start putting back a few $ from each cake you sell into your Agbay fund. Best. Cake.Tool.EVER.

Seriously, you will wonder how you ever functioned without it.

This week I became the proud new owner of a single blade. I already have the double blade. Yes, I'm spoiled. And happy.

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gatorcake Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 6:00pm
post #10 of 27
Quote:
Originally Posted by cakedout

The "$20" should have been your first clue.... when it comes to levelers, Wilton's are crap.

Spend the bucks and get a professional one! You will wonder how you ever did without one!

A friend's hubby made a special wooden wall hanger for mine. thumbs_up.gif




The 4 dollar wire works just fine. I even think there has been more than one thread here where people have noted a preference for the wire leveler over the ultimate leveler. While the mantra, you get what you pay for is generally the case (and yes an Agbay is much better than both) cheaper does not always mean worse. In this case the I think the 4 dollar wire is better than the 20 ultimate leveler. Don't get me wrong I want an Agbay, but I don't do enough cakes to justify one icon_sad.gif

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caferock05 Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 6:16pm
post #11 of 27

I agree, the $4 one (unless you get it for $1.65 at the Wilton's tent sale like I just did) works just fine. I have both and the Ultimate one, I noticed likes to "dip" in the center of my cake, I apply equal pressure all around and keep it level but it's flimsy.. so it dips and it causes uneven cakes.. aaah! Too bad those wire ones don't come in larger sizes.

You're right Leah_S, maybe a few $ saved up here and there will soon = an Agbay! icon_smile.gif

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justsweet Posted 17 Jun 2011 , 6:29pm
post #12 of 27

If you can get the Agbay as mention. I have it and LOVE it, had a garage sale to cover the cost best invest for me.

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Aunt boo 39 Posted 16 Apr 2014 , 2:07am
post #13 of 27

AThanks Ladies for the great info on the cake leveler. I was real close to buying one. Thanks to you guy's I now know that would be a bad idea.

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Gerle Posted 16 Apr 2014 , 10:22pm
post #14 of 27

I got a double Agbay for Christmas.  I wasn't expecting the double, but my son had decided that for the extra cost it would be worth it to have it.  So, even though I'm a hobby baker, I have the double.  Makes such a difference in leveling and torting cakes you can't believe it!  Before then, I had the little flimsy wire Wilton leveler.  Couldn't get me to give up my Agbay now!!!

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MBalaska Posted 16 Apr 2014 , 11:20pm
post #15 of 27

Yupper, The Agbay is tops.  Before that the Wire cutter worked adequately. Before that....Dental floss did the trick.  I still like Dental Floss to cut my cinnamon rolls.

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howsweet Posted 16 Apr 2014 , 11:24pm
post #16 of 27

I use one of these - I'm sure the agbay is wonderful, but I just don't feel like finding space to put a big sharp thing. The knife goes in a drawer - I love that about it! :-D

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yortma Posted 17 Apr 2014 , 12:15am
post #17 of 27

I threw away several different leveling systems before learning of the Agbay here on CC.  Best thing I learned from you all!  I agree for small cakes, the long serrated knife like that pictured above is quick and easy.  But I do love my Agbay. It is so easy to use, and so accurate, especially for larger cakes.  It has a blade guard, and I hang it on a wooden coat rack up above the door inside my pantry.  Way out of the reach of little hands (although no little ones in my house anymore) and otherwise totally unused space.  

 

 

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lyndim Posted 17 Apr 2014 , 1:20am
post #18 of 27

AI so gotta get me an Agbay, I've be wanting one for a very long time. I still use my old wilton one. (not the new fold out one) works ok if I put my cake on a turntable and spin it.But every time I hear about the Agbay, it just makes me want to invest in it. I've never heard anything negative about it :-Djust praise. Must start saving because I know their not cheap!:-D

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lyndim Posted 17 Apr 2014 , 1:22am
post #19 of 27

AOh by the way Yorkma, very clever!:D

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lcubed83 Posted 17 Apr 2014 , 1:37am
post #20 of 27

Your storage kinda reminds me of the sword of Damocles!!  Kidding- it's brilliant!

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Aunt boo 39 Posted 19 May 2014 , 6:03am
post #21 of 27

AHello everyone! I'm making a Michael Kors Purse for the first time. Any tips on how to get a stencil to trace the logo? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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missmeztx Posted 29 May 2014 , 9:10pm
post #22 of 27

Yeah, wish I'd seen this before I wasted the money on the "Ultimate".  Total waste.  The wire one is better than the "ultimate".  I do have the awesome Ateco knife.  Now I want an Agbay!

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dchinda Posted 30 May 2014 , 3:27pm
post #23 of 27

AI am just a hobby baker so I didn't think I really needed or could afford an Agbay. I actually asked for one for my birthday last year & it was the best gift ever! It is so easy to use!

Yorkma-I may have to copy your idea of storing your Agbay, such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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just4fun26 Posted 1 Jun 2014 , 3:20am
post #24 of 27

AI too purchased the ultimate leveler, went home baked my cake only to start torting it and realized that the fact that it folds and has that screw in the middle ruins cakes. I went back and bought the cheap leveler. It works great, now if I ever make anything larger than 10" cake ill have to figure something out. But I'm a hobby baker and I doubt I'll ever make anything bigger than a 10".

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2txmedics Posted 4 Jun 2014 , 8:59am
post #25 of 27

I have one of those and mine has a slight uneven area...but tonight I found something new and posted on the wall to see if anyone has ever used one, here it is

 

http://swankcakedesign.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=63&products_id=381

 

You can find them on Amazon and ebay cheaper by a few dollars....was wondering if this would work better.....

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Rosie93095 Posted 4 Jun 2014 , 7:41pm
post #26 of 27

Here is the easiest trick I have found:

Cut a strip 1" (Or the height of the layer you want)  X the circumference of the cake layer you have, out of a piece of a cake box. Wrap the strip around the layer and secure the ends with tape. Take your long bread knife (like the one howsweet has) and lay it on the top edge of the strip cutting through your cake evenly.

If you are torting and cutting the top off, do your first cut, then set the bottom aside and wrap the strip around the top piece and trim off your "crown"

 

Cheap and it works!

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cupadeecakes Posted 4 Jun 2014 , 8:07pm
post #27 of 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by howsweet 
 

I use one of these - I'm sure the agbay is wonderful, but I just don't feel like finding space to put a big sharp thing. The knife goes in a drawer - I love that about it! :-D


@howsweet, I like the way you roll (and slice too)!  That's exactly what I use to level my cakes.  I have seen the Agbay in action and it's nice, but after years and years of using my serrated "sword" (as my DH calls it), I realized I probably wouldn't drag it out enough to warrant getting one.  For now, the only Agbay in my kitchen will have to be on Pig-Latin day.

 

Now, I would give my eye teeth for a dough / fondant sheeter...:D

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