bigred23 wrote:Perhaps we should start a new thread related to the Fuji Royal 220 (or just re-title this thread)?

FWIW, all of the Fuji threads I've found have brought up and compared the Kalita and Taiwanese brands to the grinder being discussed. It's to be expected that similar alternatives are to be brought into the conversation, this is just a trickier topic than others as the equipment isn't in the hands of too many members for weighing in with their experience.

Yeah perhaps this thread can be renamed Kalita Nice Cut / Fuji Royal / Other similar grinders etc.

Bigred: The Fuji-Royal is absolutely worth the extra money over the Kaita Nice Cut. FWIW, I prefer the cups of the Virtuoso over the Kalita.

What about this guy:
http://tiamoeurope.com/700s-coffee-grinder-black-2/
Anyone has any experience with it? It should have a 220V version..

While I think the comparison of the different grinders (Fuji vs. Kalita vs. Feima) is fascinating, I do wonder if there is much difference except in reference to the burrs (ghost tooth vs. cutting). Perhaps a new thread comparing these very different burr morphologies would be interesting, but I'm still new at this.

Found a good thread, albeit translated, with a review of the Kalita:
http://jonny.idv.tw/2014/04/27/kalita-n ... %E6%A9%9F/

And one comparing the Kalita, the 600N, and the Tiamo:
http://jonny.idv.tw/2014/05/15/kalita-n ... %E8%BC%83/

Is Global Rauken reliable? The R-220 looks like a great buy.

Coffee Sakura at Rakuten is very good. I've received responses from all of my emails very quickly. I believe the next shipment of R220s in their store will be around mid-May based on what the owner has told me. Also they keep very small stock. They also have a R-220 maintenance guide written by the store owner (he emails you the guide when you order it on their store, t's free). It's in Japanese but the pictures are pretty self-explanatory.

Rakuten is reliable; it is more like Japanese eBay; ie individual sellers under the Rakuten name. Very often the merchandise needs a forwarding intermediary, with a Japanese address. One associated servicer is Tenso.

For 220v version of the Fuji Royal R220, one will need to contact the manufacturer. Last time I checked, it was possible to get a 220v custom made.

This is Fuji Royal's website:
http://www.fujiko-ki.co.jp/mill.htm

Shenrei, been lurking this thread quite a bit for the past couple weeks and recently ordered a KNC to the US. Very excited for it. Also been translating many Chinese threads comparing the R220 and KNC. Seems like they both have their merits.

I saw in the OP you were considering comparing the Kalita and Lido 2. Have you come up with any impressions between the two? Earlier this year I was in the market for either the Lido or Hausgrind, but when I saw the Kalita I couldn't pass it up due to it's industrial build, simplicity, and similar price range, and above all the fact that it's an electric. Never really liked the adjustment ring feature on the Lido. Anyways, very interested to hear your opinion.

Also would you consider the KNC flavor profile to be "agressive" with lighter roasted coffees (i.e. sharp, juicy, astringent)? Would very much appreciate a brief head to head comparing the Royal and Kalita; hard to get a good feel of the differences based on what's lost in translation on the foreign sites

The Lido 2, for my palate, produces a superior cup with richer and smoother textures. It is also more forgiving. In contrast, the KNC is lighter and sharper, and has a tendency to highlight more brightness. An astringent profile would be a mis-aligned Lido 2. That's not to say the KNC is bad, but I prefer the cups on the Lido 2. Usability wise, the KNC is more 'set it and enjoy your cup' while the Lido 2 can have somewhat of a learning curve, especially to someone striving for perfection.

As for the R220, the cups are a step ahead of the Lido 2 in terms of "juicey-ness." The Forte BG used to be my favorite brew grinder, and it excelled in transparency. However, it was quite finicky at times and changing settings can be a pain. The R220 solves both of those issues and has a silky smooth profile to boot, albeit at the cost of a bit of transparency.