Weighted, perfectly useful plastic tamper for smaller pro gruppo.
Positive Product Points
Finest “free” tamper I’ve ever seen. Brown. Works great.
Negative Product Points
Non-ergonomic, one might even say “clunky” but the shape grew on me.
Detailed Commentary
This is a two-ended tamper that came with my Salvatore espresso machine. Made of brown plastic, it has been beefed up with something that is quite heavy. Perhaps there is a steel bar molded into it. The Illycaffé logo and the word “Pat” are clearly visible on the cylindrical center post. One end is a precise piston fit 54.5 mm for the professionally sized Salvatore portafilter. The other end is about 52 mm and is of no use to me other than as harmless way to rap on the filter basket. Each end is about 1/2 inch thick providing a reference for depth of fill and leveling of the dose.
In use, the device is elegantly simple. A bit of time was required to get accustomed the feel of the flat face in my palm. After I found a comfortable way to lean on it, I can get a consistent and easily repeatable tamp without much mental effort. It appears to be well made. I doubt it would survive a drop onto a hard surface, however.
