WDT Tool,Espresso Coffee Stirrer Espresso Distribution Tool Portable Espresso distribution Tools,6 Needles Natural Wood Handle and Stand (Walnut)

This little tool works great, is very compact and easy to open up and put away. However, while all of the espresso videos I have seen show this type of tool as being a "must have" to ensure that the espresso is evenly distributed in the portafilter, I don't really get the point. After you use the tool to break up any little clumps of espresso in the portafilter, you then use a distribution tool to flatten and even out the espresso, then you then tamp down the coffee under a pretty good amount of pressure to prep it to go on the group head. Pretty sure any of these little clumps would pretty much be mashed down and become a nonfactor anyway under the last two steps. I don't notice a difference in my shots one way or the other (not that I am an expert). So if you're into the work flow aspect of making espresso, this is touted as part of a "best practice", and it is a satisfying little step. But I don't think it's essential, and I certainly wouldn't pay a lot of money for one of these things (really you can stick some sewing needles in a cork and get the exact same results)

Yeah, it's a wooden-ish tube that you unscrew and the little prongs come out to stir the espresso grounds. It works. Doesn't seem flimsy or easy to break. It came in a little black bag that I'll never use and the build is attractive. It feels good in the hands and it works. If you need one, buy it.A.

This WDT tool is beautiful and beautifully made. Wood feels good in the hand, brass is shiny, threading is smooth, needles are thin and very securely installed. Would make an impressive gift.BUT the 6 needles are close together and push the grounds around as opposed to raking through them.A simple DYI would be to remove 2-3 needles, but I can’t bring myself to do that. And if you splay the needles it won’t go back into the case. So I bought a dosing funnel which keeps the grounds from being pushed out of the basket when in use. ( I have a 54mm basket, it may be less of an issue with a 58mm basket.)The needles fit into the case portion very precisely and can catch on the rim easily. For daily use I just don’t re-case it.Using a WDT tool is pretty much agreed upon as one of the least expensive things that actually works to improve the quality of espresso shots. For the same price as the plastic assemble-yourself tools, I would definitely get this one.

My only real gripe with this is that the screw thread on the cap is too tight, a different length screw that could unscrew more quickly would be more appropriate. As is, it takes an annoying amount of time to get the tool out of the case.Gripe out of the way, the tool works perfect, zero complaints, very easy to use once you have it in hand, and I love the look and feel of it. Definitely worth the price. Just wish it didn't take so long to unscrew it when I need to use it.

Love it! Wish it was a tad bigger in the hand other wise works great

Very useful

I have bought two, one for me and one for my girlfriend. Its good quality and does exactly what you need it to do.

This little tool has become an essential step in me achieving a great espresso shot. It's well-built and simple to use, and well worth the modest price paid. If you have clumpy grounds in your portafilter, this little tool will go far to mitigating the problem.