4 ounces lighter than my old Presso stainless tamper, still well finished. Is it better? Worse? Stay tuned!
Positive Product Points
$37 with shipping! Shape is comfy for my hand. Has the ability to adjust height by 5 mm. Nice rubber grip. Smooth and precise tamping surface. Looks cool. A big step up from heavily plated, less precisely machined generic rosewood tampers. (Some satin finish rosewood tampers are quite precise)
Negative Product Points
The base is hollow and 115 grams lighter than the base of my old Presso 57 mm tamper. It does not feel solid because it is not solid.
Detailed Commentary
I loved my old Presso Barista, but I am going to 58 mm machines at home and office, so I sold the 57 and got a 58 thinking that I would be getting the same tamper. Well, I was quite wrong. The new tamper came and the tamping surface and vertical walls are one piece, and the top of the base is another. The middle of the base is hollow so this tamper has a much different feel. I am not sure whether I like it or not. I'll let you know after three months. The finish is super; it looks gorgeous, but the base is light.
The Barista has a 5 mm ring which the user can remove to adjust the height; I do without it. I have medium to large sized hands but love short handled tampers with flattish tops. This lets me use my palm without concentrating too much force, but actively engage my fingertips for sensitivity. This is a great design, and other, much more expensive tampers have similar features.
The top of this tamper is curved but at a larger radius than the solid stainless tamper sold by sweet marias and others. I like the larger radius. (I get occasional twinges of carpal tunnel syndrome)
The balance has moved up toward the handle, and the hollowness gives the tamper a different feel. If you like a light bottomed tamper, go for it, the shape, machining, and plating are first rate. This is the first light-bottomed tamper I have ever used so I cannot judge it for a while. Feel free to email me about whether I should pour tiny shot into it and fill the voids with epoxy. See you in three months. My rating for this tamper might well go up.
Buying Experience
WLL, done via the web; great price; supplied me with tracking number and shipped same day. Exactly what I wanted.
Three Month Followup
Too light for my taste but maybe not for yours. Two-piece base construction makes for sub-optimal feedback. Beautiful design and the original one piece configuration combined with this adjustable handle would be a dream.
