V5 Espresso Tamper, 53.3MM 2 Spring-Loaded Calibrated Tamper with Stainless Steel Ripple Base, Walnut Wooden-Handle Tamper Compatible with Breville 54mm Portafilter

This is the best tamper that I have had.I recommend this tamper to anyone who wants a well pressed espresso. Please use an espresso stirrer to mix the espresso well before tamping.

I have used a straightened paper clip to 'WDT' my coffee shot for years. It works ok.For the relatively few $$ this item cost (plus a funnel...gott'a have funnel to use the stirrer), I figured to give it a shot.There are many different choices of the number and size of wires. Too many (10) and too fine (below .3mm) and the grounds will GET clumped/compacted worse than using NO 'WDT' tool.Four pins work well. The stiffness of the pins works well, too...the pins NOT bending to form a fence the grounds will not pass through.The intended result from a well-formed puck being a good extraction, this stirrer is helpful.Subjectively: Shots are not hugely different in taste/flavor, but they are more consistent.Objectively: I use a Rancilio Sylvia. Consider holding the PF with the handle at 6 o'clock; a used puck from a Sylvia almost always has a bit of the puck sticking to the basket at the 8 o'clock position after the puck is knocked out. ...that happens to be 180º across from the water inlet to the grouphead. Not a big deal, it's just the way it is. With this stirrer (and a funnel...couldn't use a stirrer well without one), I have noticed that 'edge' of leftover puck to be mostly gone after knock out. That does indicate a better saturated, more uniform water flow through the puck. Also, I can quite consistently adjust extraction time by a second or two by changing the dose .1g at a time. (I use 19.2g in a double-shot basket, 130psi. pressure, auber PID set to 220º, pre-fuse 2.7 seconds)Enjoy a good cappuccino!

Good product, mine arrived with a crack in the handle and it didn't fit so will be returning.

I wish it had more needles for breaking up espresso clumps more effectively, but otherwise it works pretty well. The brush is awesome for cleaning off loose grounds.

This is lighter than I expected and now that I have it I wish I had gotten one with more tines.

The description says "spring loaded," which suggests that the tamper is adjustable to a specific pressure and then the spring applies that pressure. Not at all. The item I received is simply a hand tamper. The pressure applied is simply dependent on how hard you push down. The spring is superfluous, useless window dressing. To add insult to injury, the elegant wooden handle on the item I received was cracked from top to bottom. I think you can get a better and cheaper item from another seller.

I'm not 100% sure this makes a huge difference in my shots, but it's a cheap way to give me peace of mind.Build quality seems fine. I like the little dock it comes with.

I used to laugh seeing people needle their coffee grinds before tamping. I decided to try it thinking I'll just return if it's unnecessary... OMG... it really does work, I didn't realize my coffee was a bit bitter at times because of clumping and after using this, coffee is exceptionally delicious. Worth every penny.