The Perfect Tool
Even if you don’t own an espresso machine, you might want to own one of these. It’s art. It’s form and function in a seamless little object. If you do own an espresso machine and you call yourself a Cyclist, you will be very happy if you do own one. This tool is reason enough to obey Rule #56.
Chris King is a fanatical company; fanatical for all the right reasons. In a world full of “good enough” someone has to draw the line.
Coffee is fundamentally important at Chris King, and our espresso tampers are an expression of how much we value that deliciously potent drink. We worked with the Portland, Oregon based America Barista & Coffee School to develop a professional grade espresso tamper. Each part is machined in-house for aerospace quality precision that results in an Espresso Tamper with exceptional feel and the iconic shape of our legendary NoThreadSet headset. -Chris King
When mine arrived, I thought they had mistakenly sent two. The box was much too heavy for one. But no, at almost a half kilo, it must be one of the heavier items Chris King ships out of its factory. Even if you are not a closeted machinist, the feel of this in the hand really defies description. The “58” inscribed into the curved stainless steel face of the tamper is machined into it, no stamps, no lasers…fanatical. Mine is Giro pink and stainless steel. I get pleasure from it every time I hold it and this pleasure will probably never wear off. When it has, I’m the walking dead.
I have it on good authority the Campagnolo wine cork puller is also the best in show for manual pullers and why not? A perfect tool is a perfect tool; if you need a tool it might as well be perfect.
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@dyalander
Fortunately my espresso is dark brown, no mixing with blood. I was thinking about adding a Saeco-jersey photo, but only found the bright red ones; yours is simply yuk.
I caved in and bought a chain checker tool, had just been using my verniers. I never imaged I'd be this interested in nice tools.
No uppers for me, downers are what I need to function more smoothly.
Nice one Gdog. Having a decent machine definitely means drinking more coffee than I should, especially as it's here in my office. The ritual is the thing, not so much the drinking (though that is pretty fucking good).
The CK tamper would just make the ritual that much nicer than using the built-in plastic one on my DeLonghi.
@Gianni
Sadly, there are no 53mm small home levers. Or at least, none that I can think of and I can think of a lot of obscure lever machines. La Pavoni uses a 51mm or 49mm basket, as does Elektra and most others. Ponte Vecchio/Sama/La Peppina/Riviera use 45mm baskets, the Caravel uses 43mm baskets. No 53mm in sight. I can't even think of any commercial 53mm lever either. Smallest is the 55mm of the La San Marco group.
The mere mention of superautomatic coffee machines in a thread such as this is detestable.
@Ron Question: why were you resisting to buy a chain checker tool? Is much cheaper than 20 wife pounds! And do not worry, you will always need to use your verniers to check the width of your tamper http://www.coffeetamper.com.au/information/faq.html
@RVester Rule #56 does not forbid the use of machines, does it? FWIW, I do not drink macchiato.
Speaking of caffeinated substances.
When in the thriving metropolis of Adelaide (I'm sure locals know all too well about this place )
we love going to this place.
http://la-musette.net/
Definately " the third place " if ever one existed.
Do yourself a favour if in that neck of the woods.
Note : No kickbacks, bribes or endorsements were received writing this post.
@Oli
I have the bronze version, but sadly the box disappeared many years ago. Best cork screw ever.
@KogaLover
This website and this specific article usually extol the virtues of doing something the proper way, even if it is slightly harder and requires slightly more attention and skill. I feel the virtues of taking pleasure in honing such a skill are also encoded in the rules, if not written down ad verbum.
Sure, you don't have to care about coffee. But it's poor form to mention that in a thread that extols the virtues of using a very specific, finely crafted tool to perform a simple, straight-forward task that is only associated with brewing espresso. You're not just violating the masturbation principle as much as you're just wanking in public.
@RVester
Suggest you reduce your caffeine intake, you are too easily and too quickly excited. Once you relax, review Rule #43.
Cool tool, but I use a Bialetti Moka and it is not needed.
-Eddie