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.