This works great! You don't have to worry about using force. It's pretty robust. And the way it's designed, as you get to the bottom of a press, it "automatically" (as you continue to press) seats into the base, completing the cut. Tip: as you begin to press, press a bit with circular pressure to get the cut going in a circle. Once you get through the surface of the item, can then press down smartly to make the cut. Have used this with softer tomatoes with success. Enjoy :-)