V5 Espresso Tamper, 58.3MM 2 Spring-loaded Calibrated Tamper with Stainless Steel Ripple Base, Walnut Wooden-Handle Tamper Compatible with Gaggia series Espresso Machine Portafilter and 58mm E61 Group

The spring loaded mechanism has a nice linear travel, and feels well madeHandle fits nicely into the palm of my hand while pressing fresh coffee grounds into the basketNoticed the ring pattern left in my coffee improves espresso extraction flavor, taste & aroma amazinglyLove that only stainless steel machined touches the coffee & no chrome plating to flake off like other units!

Was impressed with the build quality of this tamper. It's well made and has both great form and function.

Nice wood. Good tension. Can’t adjust. But it does the job. New to espresso making, so I think this is a great piece to have in collection.

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!

This is great quality if not a little heavy. The pressing motion is smooth with no catching like some others I have tried in the past.

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.

The materials are overall excellent and the tool remains use-able for now, however the wood has split from the base to near the top within a month of purchase and I will have to wait and see if the entire handle breaks off. i have to imagine this is due to the stress of the wood being bonded to an inner metal sleeve that it could not freely expand and contract around with changes in humidity and temperature

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.