About a year and a half ago I switched exclusively to hand grinders. I purchased all of them on Ebay and out of the 9 I bought I only got one lemon and the person I bought from was more than willing to give a partial refund. The average cost was about 30.00 - 38.00 plus shipping for each of them.
They are all mid century grinders and most of them must have been decorative shelf items for the kitchen curio or dining room display cabinet. Lenhartz, (2)PeDe, Trosser, (2)Zass, Leinbrock and (2)Garantied are the ones I ended up with.
The ones that are doing the best for me are the (2)Garantied, Trosser, (2)PeDe, and the Leinbrock. But I must admit that on some mornings getting up the gumption to grind away for 3 doubles is a bit much.
I have not used my Nemox Lux since the 1st hand grinder arrived because I genuinely feel that high speed grinders lend a bit of bitterness to the espresso. I admit it may just be my imagination and perhaps the Lux just tends to have some of its grind caught in the chamber for a while before it is forced out and that lends to some bitterness... I am not sure. But the one thing I am sold on is knowing that what I grind is immediately transferred to the portafilter basket. Not some portion of a earlier grind that has been sitting in the grind chamber.
I have always loved the design of the Versalab but felt that its cost was somewhat pricey... But after having finished the 'C Lever'... Well if the economy and lay-offs don't get me... perhaps next Xmas. For a short time I was tempted to go back to the shop and begin the 'Grinder' project but after the material and contract costs on the last custom project... that thought lasted about a nano-second!
I have noted though that Versalab no longer lists on Ebay... Are they still around?
Edit 12/22... After a bit of research I found some interesting posts on the Baratza Vario... I took the plunge at 1:20 yesterday afternoon... Oh B0Y!

Bob C.
(No longer a lever purist!)
LMWDP #012