There are two key functions that this paper towel holder provides a heavy base that stays in place, and a rubber-coated surface on top of the base that keeps the towels from unwinding too fast. That is, friction of the rubber base against the bottom of the towel roll provides just the right amount of tension to allow it to turn without tearing but not prevent the paper from turning at all. This allows easily pulling a single towel from the unit with just one hand. $25 for a paper towel holder might seem like a lot, but pricing out the heavier towel holders at Target and other stores shows that they're in the $10-20 range anyway, and they probably can't do what this one does. I've even used it with the super-sized towel rolls, which still fit on the base, and work well.
Would like to give this one 3 1/2 stars. Out of the towel holders I have tried, this one was my favorite when it comes to function. The paper towels are very easy to put on, a simple twist of the cap on top removes it, allows you to put the roll of paper towels on, and then the cap is replaced, another small twist secures it. The base is weighted enough that it NEVER lifts up off the counter (at least mine didn't), and the tension is perfect for tearing off however many paper towels you want at a time (with one hand). No complaints whatsoever with any of this. Functionally, I think this is the best of all of the stainless paper towel holders... and since the 'tension' is controlled by the black 'gripper' pads on top of the base, I see no reason this will ever break.
The problem I have/had with it is purely cosmetic, and it is two-fold. When you first put a new role of paper towels on, MOST of the black gripper pads are covered, so you see mostly stainless steel and it looks very nice on the counter. It doesn't take long though, before more and more of the black grippers start to show... and by the time you are even half-way through the role, the black seems more noticeable than the stainless. Now, I wouldn't even care about this if not for the fact that those black gripper pads attract paper towel 'lint' like crazy!! Now, this may depend on the brand of paper towels you use, as some make more 'fuzz' than others. Even if you take the time to clean them daily (which I would recommend a wet microfiber cloth for as a wet paper towel just makes more of a mess with the lint/fuzz), they quickly become coated in fuzz again. I thought I would get used to this, and just clean those pads daily... but it just bothered me too much. I can tell from the other reviews that this must not be an issue for most, but it was for me. I couldn't stand the messy look of the fuzz... even when cleaning with a wet microfiber cloth, you either need to wait until the roll is used up, and clean before putting a new roll on, or you need to remove the current role.... or you end up trying to clean the pads 'around' the role, with a wet cloth... making the paper towels wet. Again, may not be a big deal for most, but for me, part of having the stainless look is that it is simple and CLEAN, and that is just not the case with this one.
I ended up replacing it with the OXO Good Grips SimplyTear Standing Paper Towel Holder, Brushed Stainless Steel... and so far, am much happier with it. The base seems a bit smaller, and is not quite as heavy, so it has lifted a bit when tearing towels now and then. This one seems to require more of a 'method' to tearing the towel off in order to do it with one hand (and not have the base lift), but once I got used to it, I am able to easily tear a towel off with one hand, and the base stays put. (I make sure to tear the towel when the perforation is just barely past the tension arm, and I do tear downward, and fairly quickly... if the perforation is very far past the tension arm when I try to tear, the base tends to lift a bit, and require an extra hand to finish the tear.) The top of the base is ALL stainless, so no unsightly fuzz-covered black pads. The only concern I have with the OXO is that a tension 'arm' is used, and this seems to me to be something that might not hold up over time... but I'm willing to wait and see, and am going to order a spare of this one, just in case(;
Bottom line, the Polder works very well... and if you use paper towels that don't produce much 'lint' and if you don't mind that the black gripper pads are visible most of the time, then this seems to me to be the best of the bunch. If you don't want to see the black pads... and/or don't like the idea of having a layer of paper towel lint covering those black pads all of the time, then you might want to pick another model... such as the OXO I mentioned.
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We've had one of these for over 6 months...and I'm just ordering a 2nd one for the laundry room. I have no negative comment whatsoever. However, unlike the first reviewer...my complaint is that my wife cannot always take the time to put the roll in so it tears easily one-handed for right-handed people. That seems strange as there are no lefties here. These replace 2 cutesy light decorative, but useless, paper tower holders that always required 2 hands to use...otherwise you fling the whole thing across the counter. We've used both full sheet and half-sheet (bought accidentally by what's her name) Bounty paper towels and it works well with both.
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Having both the Polder KTH-6066-87 Single Tear Paper Towel Holder, Brushed Stainless Steel and simplehuman Paper Towel Holder, Quick Load, Stainless Steel, the Polder wins out. They are both great, but the Polder is sleeker (IMO), and works just as well, if not better.
The top "handle" on the simplehuman is a bit bulky, which clips on, and therefore is easier to move the unit around by grabbing onto it. The "handle" on the Polder is smaller, and screws on. Since it is smaller, it is a little harder to grab on, but I think it is more attractive on kitchen counter top.
On the simplehuman, the big black "flange" around the base is a bit oversized, and collects dust. The base on the Polder is more streamlined and does not collect as much dust. When I first glance as the simplehuman, I see lots of black plastic from the base flange, and the top handle. When I glance at the Polder, I see mostly brushed stainless.
I first bought the simplehuman version, and had a hard time ripping basic-quality paper towls in full sheets, so decided to try the Polder version. Between the two, I think the Polder is easier to use. Using inexpensive paper-towels, I can generally (90% of the time) rip a single sheet in one piece, with one hand, using the Polder more successfully than the simplehuman version.
Overall, they are both excellent products, but my recommendation is the Polder KTH-6066-87. If you already have the simplehuman, there is no need to switch, unless you prefer a cleaner looking product.
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I usually use Bounty brand paper towels, and the rubbery surface on the inside of the holder collects much less "lint" than I expected. I love this thing, the only time it might not work with a clean tear, is when my husband forgets he needs to slightly angle his pull downward to tear the towel off.
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The finish on this paper towel holder is flat, flat black. The surface is not smooth. That said, it is attractive and is heavy enough to allow pulling a towel off using only one hand but it is not bulky like some are. I must like it because I ordered a second one to put by the prep sink in my kitchen.
