Beautiful Show Piece : Slight Modification Required for Practical Use
This press was very clearly created for those of us who appreciate coffee as an overall sensual experience - and visually, it does not disappoint in the slightest. Will it out-preform a standard bodum in brewing french pressed coffee by miles? - not exactly, but it does do the job for which it is intended just as well. The double wall, is a nice feature, surely not to be overlooked, helping to maintain a constant brewing temperature (though in doing so, might require a slight shortening of your usual brew time due to the lack of natural heat loss whilst using a conventional single-walled press). Make sure to decant your brew immediately - don't "keep it warm for longer" with the grounds sitting at the bottom, as you will surely over-extract your coffee in a hurry this way**
MY GRIPE? The wooden collar isn't exactly machined to exacting standards, and the fit is very poor (i've seen this complaint elsewhere) - even with the tightest possible tying of the leather strap (also a bit flimsy feeling), the collar wiggles and twists leaving a very unsure grip on the press as a result. But there is hope....
THE FIX: Wrap a piece of canvas or thin leather fabric around the press where the collar should attach, and then attach and tie the collar as normal (perhaps with an upgraded leather strap as i did*). The fabric will fill up that extra wiggle space, and the added friction from its texture will prevent the collar from spinning.
THE BONUS THAT MAKES IT WORTH IT? It looks even cooler with its new scarf. Now its a beautiful and beautifully functioning press!
