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.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@The Pressure
Haha, I'm a beer man!
I have a Reg Barber tamper, stainless base with a powder coated aluminum handle. Best investment I made when I was working as a barista at a local shop years back. I quite appreciate a well made tool and this one still sits on my nightstand. I miss pulling shots on the Simonelli we had. Nothing like seeing a perfect caramel colored crema settle on top of your shot. Divine.
@Haldy
Exactly. Even if not madly tamping this thing will hold down a lot of repair tags and look fine while sitting there.
@gilly
Or 0.04 carbon wheel units. I'm not familiar with wife pounds but I would assume everything bike related costs £20 when discussing with wife.
@Oli
Blimey! That's a big cork puller. In a word, awesome.
@PT
Frank and I went into the Rocket reseller in Seattle looking for some odd coffee related bit. It was the first time I'd seen a Rocket in person. Jesus, what a huge hunk of Italian stainless steel love. One would need a forklift to get it on the counter. I fell in love, of course.
I felt I was not worthy and went with a slightly smaller, but equally beautiful hunk of Italian stainless steel. I ordered the tamper before I ordered the machine. Priorities.
@RVester
They do make them in a 53mm diameter. My old tamper was one I turned out of cherry wood. CK much better.
Talk to @Blah, would ya?
@Teocalli
The rarely seen salt & pepper shakers?!?!?
This is a slippery slope we're on here.
@Gianni
Priorities Indeed. If we ever meet Gianni, we can be reassured that at least the coffee will be good.
Especially if we can meet up with @pete the ex-barista and get him on the job; he had me at "caramel-coloured crema".......
If we're going down this route, one of Fyxo's mates out here in Oz takes Campa hubs & makes them in to tampers...
https://instagram.com/p/6dzq8AzW0v