Herb Grinders

Radio

stay true to yourselves
Gonna get a smaller 2 piece "Titan" cnc aluminum grinder for my first grinder. Hope it serves me well for 12 bucks
I have one of those- same size I believe. Excellent value IMO. The anodizing is as good as it gets- won't chip or even show scratches unless something really digs into it with force, and the typical diamond shaped teeth do a good job.

Sounds like a steal! Good find. Might be nice as a backup grinder
 

biohacker

Well-Known Member
Have put the Zeus Vortex through the ringer and it continues to impress me and is my favourite grinder after 10 years of vaping and owning most of the big name boys like SpaceCase, Sharpstone, and SCS (both 2 and 4 piece). It's the only grinder that I havent had to maintain and clean as often and grinds through even dense buds with ease. The grind quality is pretty decent, I would say a good medium grind for vaping... I usually grind upside down, then sideways, and allow it all to fall down to the storage compartment.

The Zeus Vortex is the only grinder that has made me retire my coffee grinder!
 

grokit

well-worn member
21XKS3YPEAL.jpg

It depends on what I'm scooping, and what size dose I want.
 

biohacker

Well-Known Member
@grokit where did you get the scoop trio?

So I eat my words and apologize, but I don't dig my Zeus anymore! I can't believe I never realized it but the grinder is way too coarse. I think it's better for rolling joints or tobacco if you're into that. There are a few holes that are too large and performance (cloudage) isn't like it should be with a finer grind.

This was pointed out to me by @lazylathe, and we used his smaller 4 piece sharpstone and it was a MUCH finer grinder with MUCH better results.

Looks like i'll be investing in a new grinder....probably a 3 piece SCS or maybe 2 piece. Does anyone own a medium or small SCS 4 piece? I'm just wondering if the grind will be too coarse?
 

Vitolo

Vaporist
@grokit where did you get the scoop trio?
Looks like i'll be investing in a new grinder....probably a 3 piece SCS or maybe 2 piece. Does anyone own a medium or small SCS 4 piece? I'm just wondering if the grind will be too coarse?
Scoop sets in every size, and shape <----- repaired link
I had the SCS Medium 4 piece. I found it to shred better that the 4 piece medium SC... BUT..
the holes in the SCS 4 piece were larger, and yes it does let larger piece through than the 4 piece Space case does.
You can grind with unit sideways as we all have discussed, but the teardrop shaped holes in the SCS allows pretty easy room for herb to get pushed back and forth... leaving me to have to lean the unit more toward upside down to use it. This potentially could upset your kief collection, depending on it's age and your climate.. (and regularity of kief harvesting).
The size of holes in Space Case allow the 90% angle to be sufficient to keep the meds on the "tooth side".
I kept the 4 piece Space Case, and passed on the 4 piece SCS.
When it came to the 2 piece, I kept both, but use the SCS.
That is how I learned which was my favorite.
I decided to use the small 2 piece SCS and small 2 piece SC. at the same time
I promised myself I would use them in rotation... every other grind.
I do not remember when the change happened but one day I realized I was only using the SCS.
I repeated my experiment a few times, and the results were always the same.
While I personally think I like them almost the same, my mind and body reflex says different!
Within days I forget I am doing the grinder comparison and find myself with that 2 piece Santa Cruz Shredder in my hand.
I still recommend the 2 piece small Space Case plenty, though. It is one of the best bargains to be found. Using discount code, they can be found at puffitup for only $20!
 
Last edited:

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
I love my SCS small 3 piece but do not let any metal scoops anywhere near it as I don't want metal on metal (metal on anodization) contact. It's too precious!!
I have a heirloom McDonald's plastic coffee stir stick ;) which has a tiny spoon at the end. I an looking for a replacement, but not metal.
 

grokit

well-worn member
^ That's a good point, I don't have a 3-piece so I am usually scooping from the screen. But I scoop the keif from the bottom sections, and I haven't seen any scratches on 3 different anodized grinders.
 
grokit,
  • Like
Reactions: Tom Funk

basement farmer

My face is melting...
What do you guys use to scoop the 3 piece? Does the tobacco tool match the curves or is it hard to get everything out of it? I use a variety of vaporizers so using this tool is ideal for me:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QZO-3in1-Smoking-Pipe-Stainless-Steel-Cleaner-Cleaning-Tool-Reamers-Tamper-/151256572365?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23379821cd

I use bent tip surgical tweezers. Probably ~$5 on amazon and most useful implement ever. Loads, stirs and cleans the bowl.
 
basement farmer,
  • Like
Reactions: Moosh

max

Out to lunch
I love my SCS small 3 piece but do not let any metal scoops anywhere near it as I don't want metal on metal (metal on anodization) contact. It's too precious!!
I have a heirloom McDonald's plastic coffee stir stick ;) which has a tiny spoon at the end. I an looking for a replacement, but not metal.
JMO, but if you have to avoid metal contact with an anodized grinder to avoid scratches, or if scratches bother you that much, then you're better off without anodizing. It's certainly overrated as far as making the grinder last longer. Really good anodizing doesn't scratch without digging into it with a lot of force. I have grinders by MixnBall (no longer available), Titan, and the mini 2 piece SCS (gunmetal), and none of 'em will show a scratch.
 

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
JMO, but if you have to avoid metal contact with an anodized grinder to avoid scratches, or if scratches bother you that much, then you're better off without anodizing. It's certainly overrated as far as making the grinder last longer. Really good anodizing doesn't scratch without digging into it with a lot of force. I have grinders by MixnBall (no longer available), Titan, and the mini 2 piece SCS (gunmetal), and none of 'em will show a scratch.

Thanks. I'm just of the opinion that metal on metal, for any high quality item is never a good idea. Would a metal scoop scratch the SCS? Probably not , but the SCS deserves better treatment ;)
I would not use a metal scoop on a grinder without anodizing either, unless it was an el-cheapo.
I wouldn't use a metal spatula on a good pan, wouldn't clean my car wheels with a metal brush or even a hard plastic bristled brush.
I just prefer to avoid any chance of a problem.
 

spincut

Active Member
Gah, I posted in this thread a bit ago, and then it got away from me :/ .

Basically I was on the search to find a new grinder to replace my 4 piece space case (I decided I would rather get my kief from a kief box, which I could also still use some advice on, and use a 2 piece which could give me a far finer grind for my vapes with greater ease....and I was not totally sold on those electric ones).

Anyway, I think I got it down to Santa Cruz Shredders, Mendo Mulchers, and perhaps even another space case, as the finalists for providing unique and well received grind systems. Anyone else have any further comments on that though?
 
spincut,

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
Gah, I posted in this thread a bit ago, and then it got away from me :/ .

Basically I was on the search to find a new grinder to replace my 4 piece space case (I decided I would rather get my kief from a kief box, which I could also still use some advice on, and use a 2 piece which could give me a far finer grind for my vapes with greater ease....and I was not totally sold on those electric ones).

Anyway, I think I got it down to Santa Cruz Shredders, Mendo Mulchers, and perhaps even another space case, as the finalists for providing unique and well received grind systems. Anyone else have any further comments on that though?

An interesting alternative to a 2 piece is the new SCS small 3 piece. It is a sweet unit. Great smooth grinding action and the bottom collector has tapered sides to ease getting ground herb out of it. A+
 

lazylathe

Almost there...
An interesting alternative to a 2 piece is the new SCS small 3 piece. It is a sweet unit. Great smooth grinding action and the bottom collector has tapered sides to ease getting ground herb out of it. A+

Crap!!!
Thanks for that!!!
I would have bought a 3 piece if i had known they existed!!!

Anyway... I LOVE my two piece SCS!!!
 

biohacker

Well-Known Member
An interesting alternative to a 2 piece is the new SCS small 3 piece. It is a sweet unit. Great smooth grinding action and the bottom collector has tapered sides to ease getting ground herb out of it. A+

How fine is the grind? I'm in the market for a new grinder that must be able to grind fine....not sure if a 3 or 4 piece like this exists that is bigger than 2"?
 
biohacker,

spincut

Active Member
An interesting alternative to a 2 piece is the new SCS small 3 piece. It is a sweet unit. Great smooth grinding action and the bottom collector has tapered sides to ease getting ground herb out of it. A+

I've heard of the three piece, but I'm unsure as to why I'd want it? In fact, it seems to take away the one real reason I wanted a 4 piece, and forces on me the one thing about the 4-piece I don't like, so it would strike me as the exact wrong grinder for my purposes?
 
spincut,

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
I've heard of the three piece, but I'm unsure as to why I'd want it? In fact, it seems to take away the one real reason I wanted a 4 piece, and forces on me the one thing about the 4-piece I don't like, so it would strike me as the exact wrong grinder for my purposes?

Maybe share the one reason you wanted a 4 piece and the one thing you don't like on the 4 piece????

For me: don't really need 4 piece kief collection/screen/ extra kief compartment. For me , 2 piece with teeth on top piece and bottom piece really gets in the way of assessing grind and dishing out exact amount I want.
3 piece has nice separate compartment to easily assess the grind and super easy to dish out exact amount I want with finger pushing it over the lip or with tiny plastic spoon---no teeth to work around.
3 piece is also less bulky than 4 piece/ not as tall.

Different strokes for different folks. Others may have totally different things they value/need/want in a grinder
 

spincut

Active Member
Maybe share the one reason you wanted a 4 piece and the one thing you don't like on the 4 piece????

For me: don't really need 4 piece kief collection/screen/ extra kief compartment. For me , 2 piece with teeth on top piece and bottom piece really gets in the way of assessing grind and dishing out exact amount I want.
3 piece has nice separate compartment to easily assess the grind and super easy to dish out exact amount I want with finger pushing it over the lip or with tiny plastic spoon---no teeth to work around.
3 piece is also less bulky than 4 piece/ not as tall.

Different strokes for different folks. Others may have totally different things they value/need/want in a grinder

I got a 4 piece because of the kief catcher, if I'm not going to have that, then the last thing I want is a grind system that has drop holes. The reason I specifically want to get away from the 4 piece is because it doesn't grind fine enough as a result (unless I hold it upside down, which I kind of dont like having to do). Getting a three piece takes away the kief collector, but keeps the very design aspect I don't want (the drop holes), so I don't see the point, I'd rather just get a regular two piece. If I was even thinking about the 3 piece, then I might as well stick with my nice 4 piece.

I have a little dish to dump my stuff out in already so the benefit of "dishing out" the exact amount is completely pointless for me, I already can do that.
 
spincut,
  • Like
Reactions: Vitolo

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
Thanks. Everybody is different as to what they like.

The last thing I want is an extra piece (dish). The 3 piece base is the self contained dish and storage compartment and grind inspection area. The holes don't bother me at all. If I inspect and the grind is still too coarse, I just tip it upside down and grind some more. Different herbs require more or less grinding so this allows one to inspect, and even push it around to inspect even better.
Since getting my 3 piece, my 4 piece just serves as a storage vessel for one strain.

I'd only buy a 2 piece as a travel, on the go grinder, to save space.

If you have too much herb on your dish, do you then pour it back into the grinder to store?
 
Top Bottom