Deep Engraving: the two part grinder by Black Leaf
This grinder consists of exactly two pieces: a lid carrying the teeth and a chamber where the material ends up. No removable sieve, no pollen catcher underneath. For a lot of people that is precisely the appeal of a two part model, since nothing can come loose or go missing and you have the ground material in hand in one movement. The body is aluminium, and the two part models in this Black Leaf line sit at roughly 5 to 6 centimetres across, so it fits a coat pocket.
The lid carries the deep BL engraving the model is named after. The teeth are diamond-cut and hard anodised, which keeps them in shape and lets them bite into firm, dry material. The outside is ribbed so you keep your grip when you need to put some force into it. A nylon ring sits between the two halves: it keeps metal off metal, lets the grinder turn smoothly and prevents wear marks on the rim. A magnet in the rim holds the lid shut, so nothing drops out of the chamber in your bag. The grinding chamber is rounded, which stops material from collecting in corners. Black Leaf supplies the grinder in a gift box, which makes it easy to hand on as a present.
How to use it
- Twist the lid off and spread the material loosely between the teeth; packing it full makes turning hard work.
- Put the lid back on and turn the halves back and forth a few times.
- Open the grinder and take the ground material out of the rounded chamber.
Maintenance
A small brush along the teeth and the rim is enough to clear out residue. Do that reasonably often and the grinder keeps turning lightly and the magnet keeps closing properly. Do not put an aluminium grinder in the dishwasher; a dry brush or a cloth does the job. Leave the nylon ring where it is, between the halves.
Two parts or four
A two part grinder grinds, and that is it. If you want to collect the finest material separately you need a four part model, which has a sieve and a pollen chamber below the grinding chamber. So it comes down to what you want: compact and simple, or more pieces and more options.
Avalon Magic Plants carries more models from the same brand, such as the Black Leaf Grinder Crown 4-part and the Black Aluminium/Wood Grinder 4-part, alongside plainer options like the Grinder wooden classic and the Amsterdam grinder 2 part. Your order is shipped in discreet packaging.
