After getting the kit I decided that the lack of empirical scientific study was lacking in the few reviews that have been posted thus far. To correct this I loaded my three favorites and headed straight down to the University of Iowa Physics department to have these babies bombarded with stray alpha particles in the Fremilab particle accelerator. The results are telling:
Seriously, I've decided that I don't have much to offer in the way of reviews. How much can be said about tampers, probably a lot, but not by me. My first tamper was a cheap double ended aluminum job that I used with my first machine (a Krups single boiler). That quickly went out the window with my first decent machine (Solis SL70) which is when I picked up one of the non-import Lavas from EPNW. I immediately appreciated the difference between it and the cheapo, the weight and ergonomics made a lasting impression.
Recently when I sold the SL70 and moved up to a Vetrano I had to get a new tamper (58mm vs 53mm) as I sold the old one. I knew my tamping, though several years in practice, was not terribly consistent and that moving to a wider piston would introduce another variable making me even less consistent. I started looking around at clickers and ended up with the Espro (more on that later). Though I stated that I didn't have much to say about tampers I would like to add a few comments especially for the uninitiated, many of whom I hope are going to benefit from the final RS reviews. I could make good coffee with any of these tampers, literally. Every tamper in the kit is a cut above (even the Lava import
) and will in most ways exemplify what a good tamper should do and be. I cannot over stress the difference between a heavy well balanced tamper and the plastic one that came with your machine. A well made tamper may not make you a pro barista but it will definitely put you in the mood to be one.
That said the first thing I did with the kit was narrow down what I really liked, in one way or another. It became quickly evident that my preference is for short, stubby, heavy and well balanced. Unfortunately this includes several tampers that have already been reviewed but I suppose that can't be helped. It also negated some obvious detractors namely the EPNW Clicker and the Reg Barber Radical Pro. Though I could have chosen several that filled the bill (one being the La Forza which surprisingly I liked very much) I settled on the following three:
Cafe Kultur TORR
Almost perfect, excellent design and possibly the finest example of craftsmanship in the bunch, this tamper fills all my requirements. The weight is substantial, something I really appreciate. Likewise I have come to realize that I prefer a thick piston, something this tamper has at 14mm. The knob is shaped well and large enough for big hands but I suspect fine for smaller hands as well. The machining and turning I don't think could be better or more precise. My only caveat is that the handle could be a bit shorter. If Jens comes out with the prototype XS version with the same diameter knob as the original I'll be tempted to order one. In all, there is no tamper in the kit that beats the TORR in my opinion.
Coffeelab Design
In contrast to the beautiful wood of the TORR, and equally to my liking, is the striking Coffeelab tamper. I appreciate the cold Kraftwerk reminiscent design of this tamper as much as I do the warmth of the wood tampers. Much of what we see in espresso design is either vintage retro (i.e. Elektra Sixties) or modern stainless utilitarian and this piece fits in with either. It's nice to have the choice if your emphasis leans a little more toward form than it does toward function, though this tamper is no slouch in the latter. The feel is nice, again with good weight a good balance though I would like to see a bit more of the weight toward the top as it seems a bit bottom heavy. The piston shape and thickness are likewise well designed. Excessive "handle tappers" will appreciate the feel and especially the resilience of the rubber top which will show less stress. My caveats; a slightly shorter (yes even with all the spacers removed) and considerably thicker handle (at the narrow part) would be a vast improvement, moving this tamper into to the "hard to beat" category. If you want to jazz up your set-up this is the one. The etched design on the base is also pretty neat.
EPNW Compressore
Lastly is the Compressore. This is, to me, basically the Lava only much nicer. As the Lava was my first real tamper this one was an easy pick for me. Ergonomically the best of the three, even better than the TORR due to its shorter length and slightly more bulbous knob. Machining and finish not on a par with the TORR nor as flashy as the Coffeelab. However this tamper says "basic" in the best of ways, heavy, balanced, nice semi-translucent finish with a good feel. My only real complaint is that the piston, like the Lava, could be thicker.
Pistons
I learned on flat but I have since moved on to convex. It has been some months since using a flat tamper and I have to say I now feel more comfortable with a curved base. The curved base, if used properly, has a way of balancing itself out, making it harder to tamp unevenly. Likewise, I feel that those pistons with extra thickness also help in the same manner and also seem to have the advantage of allowing less coffee to creep up over the edge of the piston. This last observation is completely subjective however.
Shameless plug
I feel obligated to give credit to my current tamper as it possesses most if not all the qualities I have outlined. As I mentioned earlier my tamping technique had fallen a little behind and I decided I wanted to try a clicker of some sort. The design, again reminiscent of the Lava, of the Espro immediately attracted me to it. It has excellent weight, height, thickness and overall ergonomics. The "click" is really quite perfect and nicely unobtrusive. The build and quality are likewise excellent. In the end, I will find it hard to go back to a non-clicky tamper. Admittedly though, the lure of having maybe just one other (maybe a TORR XS), is probably strong enough to sway me.
Though I have no illusions to the value of
my particular review I nonetheless have no doubt as to the value of this process as a whole. The culminated information will be extremely helpful to anyone in the market for a new tamper, now and for generations to come (OK, that's a bit of stretch). Thanks to Home-Barista.com and EPNW for doing this.
Fr. John
by Worldman on Thu Sep 07, 2006 11:16 am 
