This tamper is very solidly built with a nice weight on the stainless steel base, and perfect length rosewood handle.  The top of the base lines up with the top of my Marzocco pf very nicely to let me know in I am level or have dosed properly.

Hmm... I would have to say that I was expecting a little bit heavier of a handle, but having never held rosewood before, I can't complain too much.  And with a wood handle, one shouldn't expect the same weight as metals.  Also, it would have been nice to get a little hard plastic or stainless steel plate at the top of the piston to prevent major denting from tapping the pf.

I have used several tampers before on several different machines.  When I first started as a barista,  I was using a beaten up aluminum tamper that was 55 mm for our San Marco.  After realising how important a nice tamper is, we bought several more aluminun tampers.  These tampers are the thicker ones that cost about 20 bucks and they work very nicely.  But upon going to my first competition last september, I had to borrow someone elses to fit the Marzocco.  That is when I first experienced a rosewood tamper, this one with a convex bottom.  I couldn't believe the weight difference, and have always wanted one.

But I would have to wait till this week to finally get one.  To tide me over, I bought an ergo-tamper about three months ago and have been enjoying her ever since.  The interchangable pistons and bases make it very nice, especially if you work on several different machines and need to change sizes constantly.  Once again I got the 55 mm for our San Marco.  

With the coming of our new Marzocco our employer decided to treat us all with our own tampers.  We bought three lava tampers, two of which were convex aluminum base and one convex stainless steel.  We also bought two identical rosewood tampers with flat-bottoms and stainless steel base that was chrome plated, and one of them was mine.

This was my first day using it, and I am hooked.  The piston is the perfect length that fits into my mitt nicely.  With the ergo I had to use more strength through my fingers (on the base) to get my tamping pressure with a spinning polish, this due to a shorter piston.  With this piston, the pressure can be evenly distributed through my palm down to my fingers, with a wonderful spinning polish.  The tamper will actually sit and spin there up to 720degrees.  Which looks very nice.

The weight is perfect and the chrome adds a nice little classy touch to the product.  I would definately recommend this tamper to any professional or home user who wants a top-notch tamper.

I thought that we ordered a convex instead of a flat-bottom, but seeing as how I didn't place the order myself,  I can't blame anyone, but myself  for the mix-up.