Knock Coffee Grinder: The Small-Batch Hand Grinder Worth Knowing About

Knock is a small Scottish company that's been making hand coffee grinders since 2013, and their products have earned a dedicated following among specialty coffee enthusiasts. If you've heard names like Feldgrind, Aergrind, or Feld47, those are all Knock grinders. They're hand-built in small batches, which means availability is inconsistent and you sometimes have to wait weeks to get one. But the people who own them tend to be very loyal to the brand.

I want to walk you through what makes Knock grinders different, the specific models available, how they perform for different brew methods, and whether the effort of tracking one down is worth it compared to more readily available options like 1Zpresso or Timemore.

The Knock Story and Philosophy

Peter Knock founded the company in Edinburgh with a simple idea: build high-quality hand grinders using precision-machined components at prices below the top-tier options like Commandante or Kinu. The grinders are assembled by a small team, and production runs are limited. This isn't a marketing gimmick. It's a small operation that makes what it can with the resources it has.

What I respect about Knock is that they don't try to be everything to everyone. Each model targets a specific use case, whether that's travel, home pour-over, or espresso. The build quality reflects real engineering thought rather than just premium materials for their own sake.

Where to Buy

This is the tricky part. Knock grinders are sold through a handful of specialty retailers and occasionally directly through the Knock website. They sell out quickly when new batches drop. You won't find them at major retailers or on Amazon with Prime shipping. If you want a Knock grinder, you need to either sign up for stock notifications or check periodically. It's a bit like buying concert tickets for a band with a small but devoted fanbase.

Knock Grinder Models Breakdown

Feldgrind / Feld2

The Feldgrind (and its updated version, the Feld2) is Knock's flagship home grinder. It uses Italmill burrs (48mm conical) and has a stepless adjustment mechanism. The body is machined aluminum with a satin finish, and the whole thing has a pleasingly solid feel in your hand.

The stepless adjustment is one of the Feldgrind's standout features. Unlike stepped grinders where you click between preset positions, the Feldgrind lets you dial in to any point along its adjustment range. This is particularly helpful for espresso, where the difference between a perfect shot and a gusher can be a fraction of a turn.

Grind capacity is about 30 to 35 grams, which covers most single-serve brew methods. Grinding speed for a 15-gram pour-over dose takes about 30 to 40 seconds, which is respectable for a hand grinder of this size.

Aergrind

The Aergrind is Knock's compact travel grinder. It's sized to fit inside an AeroPress, which is a clever design choice for travelers who want to pack a complete brewing kit. The burrs are the same Italmill 38mm conical set used in smaller Knock models, and grind quality is solid for its size.

The tradeoff with the Aergrind is capacity and speed. The smaller burrs mean slower grinding, and the hopper holds about 20 to 25 grams. For a single AeroPress dose (12 to 17 grams), that's fine. For larger brews, you'll need to refill.

Feld47

The Feld47 uses 47mm Italmill burrs and sits between the Aergrind and Feldgrind for size. It's a newer model designed for people who want something portable but with better performance than the Aergrind. The 47mm burrs grind faster and more uniformly than the 38mm set, and the body is still compact enough to travel with.

Grind Quality Across Brew Methods

Pour-Over (V60, Chemex, Kalita)

This is where Knock grinders really shine. The Italmill conical burrs produce a grind that's well-suited for pour-over methods. You get a nice balance of clarity and body, with enough fines to create proper drawdown resistance but not so many that the cup tastes muddy.

I've compared Knock grind quality side-by-side with Commandante grinds for V60 brewing, and the difference is smaller than you'd expect given the price gap. The Commandante is slightly more uniform, but in a blind taste test, both produce excellent pour-overs.

Espresso

The Feldgrind and Feld47 can grind fine enough for espresso, and the stepless adjustment gives you the precision you need. That said, hand grinding for espresso is physically demanding because of the fine grind setting. Expect to spend 45 to 75 seconds grinding an 18-gram espresso dose, and your arm will know it by the end.

The shots themselves are good. Not as refined as what you'd get from a dedicated flat burr electric grinder, but competitive with other hand grinders in the same price range. The conical burr geometry produces espresso with nice body and sweetness.

French Press and Immersion

All three Knock models handle coarse grinding well. The particle uniformity at coarse settings is decent, though not as tight as at medium settings (this is common across all conical burr grinders). French press cups come out clean and balanced.

If you're comparing Knock against the wider field of hand grinders, our best coffee grinder roundup includes both manual and electric options at various price points.

How Knock Compares to the Competition

Knock vs. Commandante C40

The Commandante is the most famous high-end hand grinder, and it's the benchmark most people compare Knock to. The Commandante uses a proprietary high-nitrogen steel burr set that produces a slightly more uniform grind than the Italmill burrs in Knock grinders. Build quality is premium on both, though the Commandante has a more polished look.

Price-wise, the Commandante runs about $250 to $280, while Knock grinders land between $120 and $200 depending on the model. That price difference is significant, and the performance gap doesn't fully justify it for most home users.

Knock vs. 1Zpresso

1Zpresso has taken over the mid-range hand grinder market with models like the Q2, JX, and K-Max. They're readily available on Amazon, they ship fast, and they offer excellent grind quality for the money. Build quality on 1Zpresso grinders is very good, with tight tolerances and smooth adjustment mechanisms.

The main advantage Knock has over 1Zpresso is the stepless adjustment on the Feldgrind, which gives more precise control for espresso dialing. 1Zpresso's stepped adjustment is fine for most people, but if you're particular about micro-adjustments, the Feldgrind has the edge.

Knock vs. Timemore

Timemore occupies the budget end of quality hand grinders. Models like the C2, C3, and Chestnut X cost less than Knock grinders and offer decent performance. The grind quality is a step below Knock, with more fines and less uniformity at the extremes of the grind range. If budget is your priority, Timemore wins. If grind quality is your priority, Knock wins.

For a full comparison of hand grinder options, see our top coffee grinder roundup.

Maintenance and Care

Knock grinders are straightforward to maintain. The burrs and inner components can be disassembled for cleaning without any special tools (most models use a simple screw or snap mechanism).

Regular Cleaning

Brush out the burr chamber after every few uses with a soft brush. Coffee particles accumulate between the burrs and in the adjustment mechanism, and stale grounds will flavor your fresh coffee.

Deep Cleaning

Every month or so, fully disassemble the grinder. Remove the inner burr, clean both burr surfaces with a dry brush, and wipe down the adjustment threads. Don't use water on the burrs. Reassemble and run a small dose of beans through to clear any debris.

Burr Longevity

Italmill burrs are hardened steel and will last for years under home use. You're looking at several thousand doses before performance degrades. When the burrs do eventually dull, replacement sets are available through Knock (though, like the grinders themselves, availability can be spotty).

FAQ

How long does it take to receive a Knock grinder after ordering?

It varies wildly. If you order during a stock drop, shipping is usually 1 to 2 weeks. If you order when stock is depleted, you might wait 4 to 8 weeks for the next batch. Sign up for email notifications on the Knock website or your preferred retailer so you know when stock arrives.

Can I buy replacement parts for Knock grinders?

Yes. Knock sells replacement burrs, adjustment components, and body parts through their website and authorized retailers. The small-batch nature means parts can sometimes be backordered, so it's worth keeping a spare burr set on hand if you're a daily user.

Are Knock grinders good for beginners?

They're perfectly fine for beginners, but I'd question whether a beginner needs to hunt down a small-batch grinder when excellent options from 1Zpresso and Timemore are available with next-day shipping. If you're just starting out, ease of purchase matters. If you already know you want a high-quality hand grinder and don't mind waiting, Knock is a great choice.

Which Knock grinder should I buy?

For home use with mostly pour-over, the Feldgrind (or Feld2). For travel, the Aergrind. For a balance of portability and performance, the Feld47. If espresso is a priority, the Feldgrind's stepless adjustment is the way to go.

Wrapping Up

Knock grinders occupy a unique spot in the hand grinder market. They're not the cheapest, not the most available, and not the most well-known. But they're well-engineered, reasonably priced for the quality, and built by people who clearly care about coffee. If you can handle the occasional stock frustration, a Knock grinder will serve you well for years of daily brewing. If patience isn't your thing, 1Zpresso and Timemore offer comparable (though not identical) performance with zero wait time.