Perfectly balanced and finished, the Reg Barber long-handled stainless steel tamper is a both a high-quality tool and a work of art.  The smooth finish of the convex tamper makes it easy to polish the top of the puck in a smooth twisting motion.  Compared to my old aluminum tamper with its comparatively rough surface, the Reg Barber feels as though it has "power assist".

I have nothing negative to say about this tamper.

Let's get this straight--as long as your tamper is the right size for your portafilter, I doubt that buying a better tamper will make any difference in the quality of your espresso.  So why am I so satisfied with my Reg Barber?  Because it is a little piece of perfection, at the pinnacle of both form and function.  Like a Campagnolo Record derailleur, a Rolex watch, or a Hewlett-Packard scientific calculator, the Reg Barber fulfills its purpose with style, grace and efficiency.  

At the price, it's not for everyone.  But if you love elegant, supremely functional tools, a Reg Barber stainless steel tamper will give you years of satisfaction.

The postage charges to ship this item from Victoria to North Vancouver (approximately 50 km.) was $14Can!!  Reg's shipping charge policy needs to be reworked.