Herb Grinders

h3rbalist

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too
There have been several reports of metal on metal friction with the SCS grinders. Look through this thread over the past year and you'll count at least 5-10 different reports of this issue. Doesn't seem like a widespread issue, but the multiple reports of a similar issue leads me to believe there was some sort of problem with either a batch or a shipment of SCS grinders (small 4-piece size seems like the most commonly reported with issues). Although with the wide number of online vendors and the vast array of old inventory available on the market, it's tough to say if this is an ongoing issue, or an old issue which rear's it's ugly head from time to time

An SCS grinder should be perfectly machined. An exterior scratch is one thing (possibly caused by shipping/handling who knows). But if you feel your SCS "catch" anywhere in the full spin and you see wear marks in the metal where it "catches", I personally would refuse to accept it and request a replacement.

My advice for anyone spending $50+ on a grinder is to check the vendor' return/exchange policy before purchasing to ensure you can get a replacement if you have any problems. (I'd also only buy a $50+ grinder from an authorized vendor, to ensure you have a valid warranty should the vendor be a bitch about defective grinders)

:2c:
This is sage advice.

I believe mine is rubbing and one section is clearly a different shade to the rest.

I will be contacting my vender regarding this issue and report back.

Thank you.
 

Aimless Ryan

Came to read about grinders; fucked combustion
Thanks.

Yeah, I know what you're talking about. I have read most of this thread, excluding about pages 40-120 (which I am currently working on). I remember two videos in which people shared their unwelcome friction/scratching issues. I was worried at first that my issue might be similar to what those people experienced, but right now I'm more inclined to think it's probably a little different and probably not a serious issue. However, that little bit of friction does bother me; particularly considering my large SCS is smooth as butter. It's this simple: If the grooves were oriented how the grooves on my large SCS are oriented, this grinder would be essentially perfect. It puzzles me why they would do it any differently for any grinder.

The bottom three parts of this new grinder seem perfect. The only apparent imperfections with this grinder are the little scratch and the friction, which seems to be caused entirely by the vertical grooves. I am not inclined to think the friction will create any health issues, but it does bug me. If I decide the friction is a real issue, I may ask Santa Cruz Shredder to just send me a new lid.

I know you have a small 3-piece SCS, @Ratchett. Would you mind taking a look at it to see if the lines on the lower outside of the top piece are either vertical, horizontal, or nonexistent?
 
Aimless Ryan,

Delta3DStudios

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
I know you have a small 3-piece SCS, @Ratchett. Would you mind taking a look at it to see if the lines on the lower outside of the top piece are either vertical, horizontal, or nonexistent?
I wanted a 3piece, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. I still have a 4piece gunmetal SCS, and it's smooth as butter (after I clean her) ;)
 

Aimless Ryan

Came to read about grinders; fucked combustion
Oh, OK. Small, right?

Since your grinder is as smooth as butter, I'm guessing there are tiny horizontal grooves on the exterior of the "male" part. Can you confirm?
 

Sasquatch_Jr

Well-Known Member
Have now had 2 orders with SCS (using the 710 code) cancelled for dubious reasons. Tried one with the shopify credit card processor, and the second with PayPal. Anyone else have issues with them? I've made several recent purchases on the same card through PayPay and other online processors and had no issues. Asked SCS for more details and assistance placing an order but have not heard back.

Don't want to be presumptuous but it smells a bit funny to me. Anyone else have their discounted orders from this weekend mysteriously cancelled and refunded rather than fulfilled? Will update if I hear back from them.
 
Sasquatch_Jr,

Khantagious

Well-Known Member
Oh, OK. Small, right?

Since your grinder is as smooth as butter, I'm guessing there are tiny horizontal grooves on the exterior of the "male" part. Can you confirm?
Ryan,

I am traveling without my SCS there piece at the moment, so I cannot look at the grooves, but I can tell you that a new SCS that is any less smooth than a hot knife through butter is most certainly defective, and should be replaced by the manufacturer or vendor
 

KidFated.

Unknown Member
Have now had 2 orders with SCS (using the 710 code) cancelled for dubious reasons. Tried one with the shopify credit card processor, and the second with PayPal. Anyone else have issues with them? I've made several recent purchases on the same card through PayPay and other online processors and had no issues. Asked SCS for more details and assistance placing an order but have not heard back.

Don't want to be presumptuous but it smells a bit funny to me. Anyone else have their discounted orders from this weekend mysteriously cancelled and refunded rather than fulfilled? Will update if I hear back from them.
Just got my discounted orders shipping confirmation.
 

Aimless Ryan

Came to read about grinders; fucked combustion
After having a few hours to ponder everything, I believe I have concluded that this thing is 95% perfect. I think the only reason it doesn't feel perfectly smooth to me is because I'm so used to my large SCS, which does feel perfectly smooth.

The minor bit of friction with this grinder feels similar to how it feels when you run the tip of a finger nail quickly over the exterior of one of these grinders (across the tiny grooves). Maybe it is a defect, but if so, it's a minor one.
 

MinnBobber

Well-Known Member
I know you have a small 3-piece SCS, @Ratchett. Would you mind taking a look at it to see if the lines on the lower outside of the top piece are either vertical, horizontal, or nonexistent?
......................................................................
OK, on the small 3 piece if you look at the top piece from the side it is approx divided in thirds:
- top third has vertical lines/ grooves like a dime
- middle third is a recessed groove
- bottom third is smooth metal/ no lines or grooves
 
MinnBobber,
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Aimless Ryan

Came to read about grinders; fucked combustion
That actually helps me quite a bit, I think, MinnBobber. The part I've been talking about is what you described as the bottom third.

My mini grinder is the same as you described; all three thirds. My large grinder is the same as you described on the first two thirds, but it has more of what you call 'recessed groove' on the third part. My small grinder is the same with the first two thirds, except where yours has no grooves, my small grinder has vertical grooves.

My three Santa Cruz Shredders all feel different because of these grooves (or lack of grooves). I prefer horizontal grooves, followed by no grooves. I don't like the vertical grooves. I'd be curious to find out why they make this part so much differently from one model to another.
 
Aimless Ryan,

Aimless Ryan

Came to read about grinders; fucked combustion
Now that I am well acquainted with my small 4-piece Santa Cruz Shredder, here's a proper review of it. If you don't want to read the whole review, just read the following paragraph:

My small 4-piece SCS is 95% perfect, and the bottom three pieces may be perfect. However, the lid seems to have one design flaw, which creates an awkward mild sensation of friction while operating the grinder, though it doesn't seem to be the kind of friction that causes metal flaking or any potential health risks. Still, it shouldn't be that way, and consequently my nearly perfect grinder kind of annoys the shit out of me every time I use it. For a grinder that is so perfect in essentially every other way, this single apparent design flaw is kinda huge to me; possibly unacceptable. Yet it seems to have an easy fix, which I believe must be addressed by the manufacturer, if it hasn't already. Still, 5 stars.

OK, now the full review:

After extensive inspection/fondling of my small SCS, I found only two detectable imperfections with this grinder: 1) the small scratch on the lid, and 2) the feeling of friction between the outside of the "male" part of the lid and the part that surrounds the male part when the grinder is fully assembled. Since I have already discussed this in earlier posts, I won't say anything more about it here. But that friction does bother me quite a bit.

The threading on this grinder is flawless. My large SCS feels like it has flawless threading when it's clean, but its threads provide some resistance after little bits of herb and kief have migrated onto the threads. So far that kind of obstruction has not happened with my small SCS. Every time I have assembled or disassembled this grinder, the threads have felt 100% perfectly smooth. (I know that's redundant, but it might be the most effective way to describe the threading.)

The small blemish on the lid is the only visible imperfection. When I operate this grinder, I don't feel any nicks or imperfections on the exterior. Nothing. Even as good as my large SCS feels, I do feel a few nicks and imperfections when I use the large. Consequently when I use the small, it just feels unbelievable in my hands, in every way.

The diameter of this grinder is very close to perfect for my hands, if not perfect. It's so much easier for me to get the right kind of grip on this grinder than it is for me to get even a decent grip on my large SCS. The height of the grinder probably helps me get a better grip, too. (This grinder is a couple millimeters taller than the large SCS.)

I love that the small 4-piece SCS has a deeper storage compartment than the large SCS. That really helps if you have shaky, uncoordinated, and/or otherwise poor hand function.

I can't stress enough how much I mean perfect every time I say "perfect." It's just such a pleasure to assemble, disassemble, and operate this grinder. I can't help being reminded, every time I touch it, how nearly-perfect this grinder is, regardless of whether I'm using it or just pretending to use it (which I do a lot). There is no resistance; the parts simply rotate effortlessly (excluding that one issue). And I never have to try more than once to engage the threads; the threads simply engage on the first try, every time, which is a lot more awesome than you realize until you experience it over and over.

One more thing, which is essentially a given with every Santa Cruz Shredder: The strong magnet will never allow the lid to come off accidentally. Before I had my first SCS, I didn't even notice the fact that my two cheap grinders have very weak magnets. But now that I'm accustomed to never having to worry about unwanted separation of the toothed pieces on my SCS[es], the weak magnets on my cheap grinders are very noticeable, and consequently I am infinitely more likely to accidentally drop all or part of the cheap grinders.

Perfect, I say!

Well, except for that one lid issue. And even though I may be overly sensitive to that kind of thing, I honestly do believe there's something really not-right about the design, which I think could be corrected by changing the design of the outer surface of the lid's bottom third to include horizontal grooves, rather than vertical grooves or no grooves.

Even with the friction thing, which bugs the shit out of me, I give this grinder 5 stars (of 5 stars). Everything else about the grinder is just so perfect that I can't give it fewer than five stars. Now if I can only persuade Santa Cruz Shredder to replace my lid with a new one containing horizontal grooves...
 

whatitdew

Vapes R Great
Have now had 2 orders with SCS (using the 710 code) cancelled for dubious reasons. Tried one with the shopify credit card processor, and the second with PayPal. Anyone else have issues with them? I've made several recent purchases on the same card through PayPay and other online processors and had no issues. Asked SCS for more details and assistance placing an order but have not heard back.

Don't want to be presumptuous but it smells a bit funny to me. Anyone else have their discounted orders from this weekend mysteriously cancelled and refunded rather than fulfilled? Will update if I hear back from them.

I ordered Friday night, got a shipping confirmation on Monday BUT it has yet to move.

What about you @KidFated. is your tracking moving for you?

For me being in Canada it usually takes a week to get anything delivered. I was hoping to get this bad boy by tomorrow but now am. To so sure what is going on.
 
whatitdew,

MileHighLife

Blower of glass, grower of grass
Now that I am well acquainted with my small 4-piece Santa Cruz Shredder, here's a proper review of it. If you don't want to read the whole review, just read the following paragraph:

My small 4-piece SCS is 95% perfect, and the bottom three pieces may be perfect. However, the lid seems to have one design flaw, which creates an awkward mild sensation of friction while operating the grinder, though it doesn't seem to be the kind of friction that causes metal flaking or any potential health risks. Still, it shouldn't be that way, and consequently my nearly perfect grinder kind of annoys the shit out of me every time I use it. For a grinder that is so perfect in essentially every other way, this single apparent design flaw is kinda huge to me; possibly unacceptable. Yet it seems to have an easy fix, which I believe must be addressed by the manufacturer, if it hasn't already. Still, 5 stars.

OK, now the full review:

After extensive inspection/fondling of my small SCS, I found only two detectable imperfections with this grinder: 1) the small scratch on the lid, and 2) the feeling of friction between the outside of the "male" part of the lid and the part that surrounds the male part when the grinder is fully assembled. Since I have already discussed this in earlier posts, I won't say anything more about it here. But that friction does bother me quite a bit.

The threading on this grinder is flawless. My large SCS feels like it has flawless threading when it's clean, but its threads provide some resistance after little bits of herb and kief have migrated onto the threads. So far that kind of obstruction has not happened with my small SCS. Every time I have assembled or disassembled this grinder, the threads have felt 100% perfectly smooth. (I know that's redundant, but it might be the most effective way to describe the threading.)

The small blemish on the lid is the only visible imperfection. When I operate this grinder, I don't feel any nicks or imperfections on the exterior. Nothing. Even as good as my large SCS feels, I do feel a few nicks and imperfections when I use the large. Consequently when I use the small, it just feels unbelievable in my hands, in every way.

The diameter of this grinder is very close to perfect for my hands, if not perfect. It's so much easier for me to get the right kind of grip on this grinder than it is for me to get even a decent grip on my large SCS. The height of the grinder probably helps me get a better grip, too. (This grinder is a couple millimeters taller than the large SCS.)

I love that the small 4-piece SCS has a deeper storage compartment than the large SCS. That really helps if you have shaky, uncoordinated, and/or otherwise poor hand function.

I can't stress enough how much I mean perfect every time I say "perfect." It's just such a pleasure to assemble, disassemble, and operate this grinder. I can't help being reminded, every time I touch it, how nearly-perfect this grinder is, regardless of whether I'm using it or just pretending to use it (which I do a lot). There is no resistance; the parts simply rotate effortlessly (excluding that one issue). And I never have to try more than once to engage the threads; the threads simply engage on the first try, every time, which is a lot more awesome than you realize until you experience it over and over.

One more thing, which is essentially a given with every Santa Cruz Shredder: The strong magnet will never allow the lid to come off accidentally. Before I had my first SCS, I didn't even notice the fact that my two cheap grinders have very weak magnets. But now that I'm accustomed to never having to worry about unwanted separation of the toothed pieces on my SCS[es], the weak magnets on my cheap grinders are very noticeable, and consequently I am infinitely more likely to accidentally drop all or part of the cheap grinders.

Perfect, I say!

Well, except for that one lid issue. And even though I may be overly sensitive to that kind of thing, I honestly do believe there's something really not-right about the design, which I think could be corrected by changing the design of the outer surface of the lid's bottom third to include horizontal grooves, rather than vertical grooves or no grooves.

Even with the friction thing, which bugs the shit out of me, I give this grinder 5 stars (of 5 stars). Everything else about the grinder is just so perfect that I can't give it fewer than five stars. Now if I can only persuade Santa Cruz Shredder to replace my lid with a new one containing horizontal grooves...
Have you tried Grinder Grease to alleviate the friction on your small scs?
 
MileHighLife,

KidFated.

Unknown Member
My 3pc SCS is purrrrrrrfect! I'm so glad I joined the cool kids now. My diamond grind suckedddddd but I figured I could care less about a grinder. Sometimes you just need to treat yourself.. Thank you FC for helping me improve another section of my sessions. This grind is so smooth.. I bought a toothbrush today just for grinder cleaning!
 

whatitdew

Vapes R Great
Did they switch it up for you @KidFated. or did you get the rasta?

Throw a couple pics up!

Finally got some movement on my tracking number, but if it really sat around at the post office from Monday to today then I'm kinda pissed lol. Hopefully it comes monday. 2nd shredder in six months!
 
whatitdew,

KidFated.

Unknown Member
Did they switch it up for you @KidFated. or did you get the rasta?

Throw a couple pics up!

Finally got some movement on my tracking number, but if it really sat around at the post office from Monday to today then I'm kinda pissed lol. Hopefully it comes monday. 2nd shredder in six months!
I got the Rasta, but to be perfectly honest, I'm happy with it. I emailed them back saying that they didn't switch it out for an orange but I was happy anyways.

Honestly, it feels like I never had a grinder before this. That's how much of a difference it is..
 

whatitdew

Vapes R Great
...and just might be the last one you buy for the next 6 years.

Doubt it lol, I thought when I bought me medium four piece space case I would be done for at least 10 years. Then I bought a large Ti space case and two SCS.

I still want to pick up a small Ti four piece space case, a large matte black 4 piece SCS and a compton grinder. Guaranteed within a year I'll have a new vape, new grinder and new glass piece lol.

I like grinders. When I'm sitting around bored I like to play with a clean one, take it apart and feel the smoothness of the machining and craftsmanship.
 

VapourHaze

Rexcornish on IG, Vaping since '02
Got my scs yesterday .. nice grinder .. a bit over hyped imo. My plastic o ring has got small chips in it ... not very smooth. I know its only cosmetic .. and im not gonna return it but i expect better at this price point.
 

Quetzalcoatl

DEADY GUERRERO/DIRT COBAIN/GEORGE KUSH
Got my scs yesterday .. nice grinder .. a bit over hyped imo. My plastic o ring has got small chips in it ... not very smooth. I know its only cosmetic .. and im not gonna return it but i expect better at this price point.
The grind consistency is what I'm after. I have a bunch of grinders: 4p Sharp Stone, 4p Chromium Crusher, 2p Space Case, 2p Santa Cruz Shredder, a coffee grinder, a few grinder cards, and an acrylic one somewhere as well. I've had a few others as well, a wooden one, a Mendo Mulcher that I had for about a week, and some no-name. I find myself reaching for the SCS more often than not ever since getting it. The grind consistency is fantastic, and at least mine feels really smooth with the turning and doesn't get gummed up as fast/it doesn't affect it as much as some of my other grinders.
 

VapourHaze

Rexcornish on IG, Vaping since '02
The grind consistency is what I'm after. I have a bunch of grinders: 4p Sharp Stone, 4p Chromium Crusher, 2p Space Case, 2p Santa Cruz Shredder, a coffee grinder, a few grinder cards, and an acrylic one somewhere as well. I've had a few others as well, a wooden one, a Mendo Mulcher that I had for about a week, and some no-name. I find myself reaching for the SCS more often than not ever since getting it. The grind consistency is fantastic, and at least mine feels really smooth with the turning and doesn't get gummed up as fast/it doesn't affect it as much as some of my other grinders.

Yes the grind seeems nice .. but its early doors. I was just a but underwhelmed and the plastic o ring not being smooth kind of surprised me.
 

Aimless Ryan

Came to read about grinders; fucked combustion
Have you tried Grinder Grease to alleviate the friction on your small scs?

I don't have grinder grease, or anything like it. I'll have to get some if I ever make it to a headshop again. The friction in my grinder is very minor, and a lot of people probably wouldn't even call it friction. I don't know if lubricant would really change anything, as there is no resistance within the grinder; just minor contact, or grazing.

I have to reveal something: I have never vaped. I barely know what vaping is, and I have no idea how vaporizers work. In the few weeks since I joined these boards (entirely because of this grinder discussion), I really hadn't even considered vaping, due to the starting costs. But then yesterday something made me realize vaporizers pay for themselves, so I decided I'm going to start. Based on very limited vaping knowledge, I think I'm leaning toward buying an Arizer Extreme Q.

If anyone can point me toward good threads to help me make this decision, it would be greatly appreciated. One thing that's confusing me at this point is that it seems this vaporizer costs about $240 in some places (like EZVAPES) and $140 on eBay (which I have never used). Are those different prices for the same thing?

EDIT: I am now considering either the Volcano or the Volcano Digit, as well as the Extreme Q. It's not like I have the money, but the fact that it's a one-time purchase may carry some weight.

Thanks in advance. Sorry for going off topic.
 
Last edited:
Aimless Ryan,
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h3rbalist

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too
I like grinders. When I'm sitting around bored I like to play with a clean one, take it apart and feel the smoothness of the machining and craftsmanship.

Dude, you need to get out more. ;)

So I contacted @VapeFiend.com and they said if I have used it I can not return it.

Which sucks. Imo.

My advise to anyone is to check the machining and make sure you are 100% before you use the thing.

Not sure why this isn't being done prior to them leaving the factory.
:shrug:
 

Delta3DStudios

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
Yes the grind seeems nice .. but its early doors. I was just a but underwhelmed and the plastic o ring not being smooth kind of surprised me.

Do you have a nice camera? Take some pictures of that Teflon ring and complain - my ring was perfect. Entire grinder was perfectly machined and spun smooth as silk.

Technically, you can easily replace that ring yourself, all they need is to mail you a replacement one.

I've taken mine off several times to clean my grinder (PTFE will degrade over time when exposed to ISO - it's best to prevent over-exposure to iso when possible)
 
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