I replaced a cheaper immersion blender after 6 years and decided to splurge on AllClad - should have done my homework a little more carefully. This tool is powerful and the motor is good but it is oversized, poorly balanced, heavy and the shaft has a tendency to begin to unlock/loosen while using it. My other one which fit into large mouth mason jars the 3 inch head diameter won't fit into any standard containers. Its unusual size means that at the very least it should have come with a blending cup. I have been using a glass 4 cup measuring pitcher but since it is very challenging to find something that is big enough but not oversized for the smaller portions I tend to make in my kitchen. 
   
Sadly, the intelligent design that I have come to expect just isn't here - what happened AllClad?