Herb Grinders

[rshetts]

Ive done a bit of research onto grinders and narrowed my choices down to the Space Case and the Mendo Mulcher. I steered away from the Santa Clara because issues with sticking seem to be ubiquitous. I checked Massdrop and they are voting on a space case for another drop but nothing current on a mendo mulcher. So I started a poll for the Mendo Mulcher. If anyone is interested in getting in on a drop for one here is the poll: dro.ps/v/9WxYl0M

BTW does anyone here used the Mendo? I got a quick look at one and really liked it but I have no extended use of any grinder. I wouldnt mind hearing some impressions. I did search the forum thread for the Mendo but nothing came up and manually searching through over 200 pages in hopes that the search was wrong seemed counter-intuitive.

 

[Stu]

BTW does anyone here used the Mendo?

I have two Mendo Mulchers and use them daily. The tooth design of the Mendo Mulcher ensures that the grind will not get too fine, which is how I prefer my grind most of the time. They are very well made and durable. If you don't require a fine grind, I recommend them highly.

 

[max]

I steered away from the Santa Clara because issues with sticking seem to be ubiquitous.

It's the Santa Cruz and this is the first I've heard of any sticking issues, unless you're talking about the Mini, which can be hard to turn if you load a lot. When I read your post and saw "issues with sticking", my first thought was herb sticking to the grinder, and I haven't experienced that with any model I've used.

I've had a couple of Mendo's- a large 4 piece and a small 2 piece. Both were great at cutting through the bud but not at actual grinding. They only had two edges-front and back-so the teeth cut like a knife, and were good for shredding but only produced a very coarse grind. If that's what you want it'll do the job, but I prefer a finer grind for any vape I've used. Judging from an on-line review put out in Jan., I see the same shape on the teeth, so I'd recommend the Space Case vs. the Mendo if you want a finer grind. You can always stop with the SC after a few turns and get a coarse grind.

 

[rshetts]

Awesome, thanks for the info guys! In hind sight, I may just buy one of each and gift one to a friend after Ive tried them out personally. My best bud has a birthday coming up and he would be thrilled with a high end grinder.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

I have some interesting further observations to reveal about my two 4-piece Santa Cruz Shredders (small and large, respectively). Basically, as I've already reported, the small is essentially perfect in every way except the lid design, which creates a feeling of friction/resistance similar to that of quickly running a fingernail back and forth over denim.

My small SCS is significantly better than my large in pretty much every way except for ease/smoothness of rotating the lid. However, that one factor may have become more important to me than almost every other factor put together, as I have reverted back to using the large SCS in recent days, simply because the rotating lid of the large grinder feels so much smoother than the rotating lid of the small grinder.

Without using a bunch of words, I guess my point here is: To me, having a grinder with a lid that turns easily may be more important than having a grinder that is flawless in every way except for lid function. The jury is still out.

One other interesting thing I've noticed is that my two 4-piece Santa Cruz Shredders seem to be engineered significantly differently. I mentioned the difference in the groove orientation of the male part in earlier posts, but the most noticeable difference between these two grinders is the threading. The threads on the small grinder appear slightly larger than the threads on the large grinder. Also, the cylinder around the collection compartment on the small grinder extends above the threads for 2 or 3 millimeters above the threading, which is not true of the large.

This is why the small SCS has a deeper storage compartment than the large, and also why the small is taller than the large. Apparently the small has been designed to keep tiny bits of herb from getting all over the threads, thus keeping the threads clean. It doesn't actually keep the threads clean, but regardless, the threads always feel perfectly smooth; even when there are countless bits of material all over the threads. Conversely, the large threads can easily get stuck if there's any noticeable amount material in them.

Still, the large SCS grinds smoothly and effortlessly, which I don't think I can say about the small, even when it's clean. And right now that's giving the large the win.

Oh, and this is off-topic, but I ordered an AroMed 4.0 vaporizer yesterday. Having read quite a bit about this and other vaporizers, I'm surprised this one is not more popular among members, as it seems like a really fine (and efficient) machine. I can't wait to try it, and I also can't wait to try vaping. Even though I originally came here with absolutely no interest in converting, you guys converted me. So be proud of yourselves.

 

[t-dub]

My small SCS is significantly better than my large in pretty much every way except for ease/smoothness of rotating the lid.

You might try a little Grinder Grease on that sticky lid. It not only smooths out function but helps maintain cleanliness as well. Its the perfect viscosity. You can get it at Puffitup use code "FC-1" for a 15% discount. With the discount and free shipping a tube comes to $3.56. I hope that over time, with use, your lid will smooth out . . .

 

[Aimless Ryan]

Yeah, I definitely need to get some of that. But the thing is, I already know it won't help the lid of the small SCS become smoother. The awkwardness I feel with the lid of my small grinder is not in its ability to do what it's been designed to do; it does exactly what it was designed to do. Rather, the awkwardness stems from the design. And I think the only way anyone can really know what I'm talking about is by having used (and obsessively analyzed) both a small SCS 4-piece and a large SCS 4-piece.

 

[doubledown]

Just got an orange 3 pc SCS off Amazon. Pic showed it with the outlined lettering on the lid but the product has solid lettering. What, if any, is the significance of the solid vs outlined lettering?

Update:
I emailed SCS. Their reply stated,
"We have switched our logo to solid lettering. So glossy and matte finish can both have the solid lettering but you may still see some of them with old lettering as we go through our inventory. Hope this answers your question!

Thanks
L"

It does, and thank you, L!

 

[Aimless Ryan]

Top vs. bottom of the grinder. That is, the grinder in the picture was upside down.

EDIT: Or not.

 

[VapourHaze]

I have some interesting further observations to reveal about my two 4-piece Santa Cruz Shredders (small and large, respectively). Basically, as I've already reported, the small is essentially perfect in every way except the lid design, which creates a feeling of friction/resistance similar to that of quickly running a fingernail back and forth over denim.

My small SCS is significantly better than my large in pretty much every way except for ease/smoothness of rotating the lid. However, that one factor may have become more important to me than almost every other factor put together, as I have reverted back to using the large SCS in recent days, simply because the rotating lid of the large grinder feels so much smoother than the rotating lid of the small grinder.

Without using a bunch of words, I guess my point here is: To me, having a grinder with a lid that turns easily may be more important than having a grinder that is flawless in every way except for lid function. The jury is still out.

One other interesting thing I've noticed is that my two 4-piece Santa Cruz Shredders seem to be engineered significantly differently. I mentioned the difference in the groove orientation of the male part in earlier posts, but the most noticeable difference between these two grinders is the threading. The threads on the small grinder appear slightly larger than the threads on the large grinder. Also, the cylinder around the collection compartment on the small grinder extends above the threads for 2 or 3 millimeters above the threading, which is not true of the large.

This is why the small SCS has a deeper storage compartment than the large, and also why the small is taller than the large. Apparently the small has been designed to keep tiny bits of herb from getting all over the threads, thus keeping the threads clean. It doesn't actually keep the threads clean, but regardless, the threads always feel perfectly smooth; even when there are countless bits of material all over the threads. Conversely, the large threads can easily get stuck if there's any noticeable amount material in them.

Still, the large SCS grinds smoothly and effortlessly, which I don't think I can say about the small, even when it's clean. And right now that's giving the large the win.

Oh, and this is off-topic, but I ordered an AroMed 4.0 vaporizer yesterday. Having read quite a bit about this and other vaporizers, I'm surprised this one is not more popular among members, as it seems like a really fine (and efficient) machine. I can't wait to try it, and I also can't wait to try vaping. Even though I originally came here with absolutely no interest in converting, you guys converted me. So be proud of yourselves.

I love this ... hangs out on a vape forum to chat about grinders ... then gets the vas and gets an aromed ... no fucking around!! I hope you enjoy ... ive always been curious.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

I love this ... hangs out on a vape forum to chat about grinders ... then gets the vas and gets an aromed ... no fucking around!! I hope you enjoy ... ive always been curious.

Man, I'm just sick of the pain in my lungs every time I take a hit. And all that other stuff, too. It just makes sense to vape instead of combust; especially if vaporizers really do pay for themselves, as I've read. One thing that really won me over is the fact that clearly no one goes back to smoking once they've started vaping. I can think of one other relevant example where once people make the change, they never go back. In pizzamaking and baking, it's the act of using bakers' percentages for measuring your ingredients by weight, instead of using volumetric measurements, which are essentially useless.

Just like no one goes back to combusting, no one goes back to using volumetric measurements once they've taken the time to understand bakers' percentages. When no one goes back, regardless of whether it's cooking or drugging, that tells you everything you need to know.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

One of the handful of grinders I've bought over the last few weeks is a mini 2-piece Santa Cruz Shredder (purple). I only bought this grinder because it was very inexpensive ($15), and I mainly only chose purple because I think there was only one other color available at $15, which I liked less than purple. However, I'm really starting to like both the grinder and the color of the grinder.

Considering how small it is (and considering how stupid my hands are), I didn't expect to use this grinder more than once. Basically I just wanted to know how such a small grinder would feel. But now I'm starting to keep it nearby most of the time, as I spend much of my life lying on the couch. I like to keep it nearby partly so I can keep my hands busy/active now and then. But I have now used this grinder twice, and I think I may end up using it a lot more. I feel like I may eventually settle with a larger 2-piece as my go-to grinder, as I prefer a finer grind than 4-piece grinders provide, and because I'm sick of gunking up the lids of my 4-piece grinders by using them upside down. (This is the only 2-piece I've ever used.)

Not much else to say. I mean, it's too small for me, which makes it pretty difficult for me to open. But I knew that before I ordered it, and I am actually finding ways to make it a little easier for me to use.

One unintended consequence of buying this grinder is that I now love purple SCS grinders. I want one of every size and style they make in purple.

 

[whatitdew]

Just received my new small 4 piece skull face blue shredder.

It turns like crap. And was some residue on the friction ring. I think it is the ring that is the problem like @Aimless Ryan . I'm just doing a quick iso wash and hopefully that will fix it. If not I'll have to try my luck with customer service

I was hoping to mix n match with my limited edition small copper scs I got only a few months ago but it turns out it has the old teeth design and this blue one has the new design.

I will post some pics after the cleaning. Kinda bummed right now. I think SCS as a company might be slipping a bit with the quality control since the company has grown.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

But everything else about it is perfect, right?

Are you sure it's the O-ring causing your problem? Because my grinder's issue is in the area of the O-ring, but it has nothing to do with the O-ring. Rather, it has to do with the surface adjacent to the O-ring; the outside of the male part. When I turn the grinder, the outside of the lid's male part rubs against the inside of the female piece. Because there are vertical grooves on the outside of the male part, there is just a little bit of uncomfortable friction whenever the top two pieces of the grinder aren't perfectly in line while grinding.

 

[whatitdew]

Yeah I think its the o ring. Mine is off colored and leaves a residue after turning.



New teeth pattern / Old teeth pattern



New blue skull shredder and a few months older limited copper shredder

 

[FlyingLow]

they really exaggerated the edges of the new teeth, looks sharp (like scissors?)

 

[Aimless Ryan]

Well, whatitdew, since I now know you have at least two Santa Cruz Shredders, will you check one thing for me? Because your lids are upside down in your pictures, the part I have been talking about is above the O-ring (the part contacting my finger and thumb in my picture).



Now look very closely at that part on each of your grinders. On the part touching both my finger and my thumb in my picture, does either of your grinders have any texture at all? Based on analyzing my three SCS grinders, I feel pretty confident that there are either tiny vertical grooves, tiny horizontal grooves, or no grooves (flat). If it has vertical grooves, I'd be inclined to think that's where your problem is.

EDIT: I can't seem to get a more detailed/focused picture of what I'm talking about, as the tiny grooves I've been talking about are really tiny.

I didn't like SCS's orange color at first, but now I'm starting to love it. I bet that orange one would look even more beautiful sitting beside a purple one.

 

[whatitdew]

You are right! I have vertical grooves you can visibly see and on my copper shredder one it is smooth finish.

I even switched the friction rings and that didn't do a thing to help.

Email sent to SCS, hopefully this is a painless process.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

Well I'm glad you figured out what I've been talking about, and I'm glad someone other than myself finally shared something that proves I'm not nuts (at least in this way). It probably would've been easier to communicate if there was a well known name for that part. I propose that we call it the "cock," as that's kind of what it is.

The thing is, there is no defect. Those grooves, to me, seem pretty clearly to be a flaw in the design. And if so, having them send you another lid or another grinder probably won't take care of the problem.

[EDIT: Disregard this paragraph. I now realize you answered this question before I asked it.] One more question: You confirmed that there are vertical grooves on the blue grinder, right? Well, how about the orange grinder? My guess, since I believe you indicated that grinder works fine, is that there are either no grooves or horizontal grooves. If you feel absolutely no resistance when turning it (particularly when it's clean), my guess is horizontal grooves.

EDIT: I just inspected my cheap Bo-Bo Head grinder. Like my large SCS, this grinder has very small horizontal grooves. Also, this $10 grinder turns much more smoothly than my small blue SCS.

EDIT #2: Turn the [empty] grinder very slowly, trying to keep everything perfectly in line. My guess, if you successfully do what I'm trying to describe, is that there will be no resistance.

 

[whatitdew]

You can clearly see the vertical markings here. On my copper SCS the finish is smooth. Its a defect, that part of the lid was never finished after machining I bet.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

YES!!! That's the picture I've been trying to get, but I can't get either my phone or my camera to focus right.

I've already said this, but it might make more sense to people now that they have seen that picture: My small blue SCS is just like what I see in your picture (vertical grooves). My mini SCS has no grooves and my large SCS has horizontal grooves. For some reason, Santa Cruz Shredder designed these grinders to have various textures on this part. Horizontal grooves are infinitely smoother than either of the other two textures. Consequently, I can't figure out why they would even consider manufacturing any of their products with vertical grooves.

Also, I think the reason why there aren't more people complaining about this flaw is because you pretty much have to have an SCS with one of the other two designs to even notice the slight friction between the lid and the piece below it. That group includes both myself and whatitdew.

Do you mind photographing and sharing that same shot with the other grinder's lid?

 

[whatitdew]

Old copper scs lid with smooth finish on male part



Is yours the same small blue skull shredder? Might be a issue with that batch machined.

I think I'm going to try to return mine for credit and get the limited edition sf giants shredder they are releasing soon.

 

[Aimless Ryan]

No, mine is a standard small 4-piece. (I love the skull design, though; both the skull and the font. Looks awesome.)

 

[grokit]

A lot of defective scs's lately. Hope we've solved the issue, but growing pains or what's up with qc.

 

[ginolicious]

So I just ran through my collection of grinders. I love reading about them here. You all make it sound like the Santa Cruz is great. But I don't want to spend money for another one to add to the collection.

1. Puff grinder. 4pc. Been with me for years. Got arrested with it. Cop made me throw it away. Went back the night after and found it in the bushes. Sentimental value.

2. Space case 2pc. Never used anymore.

3. Zeus grinder. They make vapes. Rarely use it. Puff takes first. Don't notice a different in grind between this and puff being both 4pc grinders.

4. Spiral. Another random 4pc grinder.

Should I add more to my collection? Lol