Knock Grinder: A Look at the Handmade Hand Grinders From Knock (Hausgrind and Aergrind)
Knock is one of those coffee brands that flies under the radar unless you're deep into the specialty coffee community. Based in Liverpool, England, Knock makes hand coffee grinders that are designed and assembled by a small team. Their two main models, the Hausgrind and the Aergrind, have developed a loyal following among people who value craftsmanship and simplicity.
I've been fascinated by Knock grinders for a while now, partly because they take such a different approach from the mass-produced options. Here's what you get with a Knock grinder, how the models compare, and whether they're worth tracking down in 2025.
The Knock Story: Small Batch, Big Reputation
Knock was founded by Peter Knock, a designer who wanted to build a better hand grinder. At a time when most hand grinders were either cheap ceramic burr units (think Hario Skerton) or expensive luxury items, Knock aimed for a middle ground: well-built, good materials, reasonable pricing.
The company operates on a small scale. Grinders are often made in limited batches, which means availability can be spotty. You won't find Knock grinders at big retailers. They sell primarily through their own website and a handful of specialty coffee shops. This scarcity is part of the brand's identity, but it can be frustrating if you're trying to buy one right now.
Made in the UK
Everything is designed in Liverpool and assembled using sourced components. The burrs come from Italmill (the Italian burr manufacturer), the bodies are CNC machined, and the wood accents are finished by hand. It's a product that feels personal in a way that most mass-produced grinders don't.
Knock Hausgrind: The Home Grinder
The Hausgrind is Knock's full-size hand grinder, designed for home use. It's larger than most portable hand grinders and built to sit on your kitchen counter.
Specs and Build
- Burrs: 47mm Italmill steel conical burrs
- Adjustment: Stepped ring with click positions
- Body: CNC machined aluminum with walnut or ash wood accents
- Capacity: About 30-35 grams of beans
- Weight: Around 600 grams (about 1.3 pounds)
- Height: Roughly 19cm (7.5 inches)
The Hausgrind is a good-looking grinder. The combination of machined metal and real wood gives it a workshop-tool aesthetic. It feels solid in the hand, with no rattles or loose parts. The crank handle is long enough to provide decent leverage, which makes grinding easier than short-handled grinders.
Grind Quality
The 47mm Italmill burrs in the Hausgrind produce a clean, consistent grind across the filter brewing range. For V60, Chemex, AeroPress, and French press, the Hausgrind does excellent work. Grounds are uniform, and the stepped adjustment makes it easy to return to your favorite setting.
For espresso, the Hausgrind is less ideal. The stepped adjustment doesn't offer fine enough increments to really dial in an espresso shot. You might land on a setting that's close, but you won't have the micro-control that dedicated espresso hand grinders (like the 1Zpresso JX-Pro or Kinu M47) provide. Knock designed this grinder primarily for filter brewing, and it shows.
Grinding Speed
Expect about 45-60 seconds to grind 20 grams for pour-over. It's not fast by modern hand grinder standards. Models from 1Zpresso and Timemore with larger burrs and faster geometries can cut that time nearly in half. If speed matters to you, the Hausgrind might test your patience.
Knock Aergrind: The Travel Grinder
The Aergrind is Knock's compact, travel-focused hand grinder. It was designed to fit inside an AeroPress, making it the ideal companion for coffee on the go.
Specs and Build
- Burrs: 38mm Italmill steel conical burrs
- Adjustment: Stepped ring
- Body: Anodized aluminum
- Capacity: About 20-25 grams
- Weight: Around 310 grams (0.68 pounds)
- Height: Roughly 13cm (5 inches)
The Aergrind is remarkably small and light. It tucks into a bag or even a jacket pocket without adding significant weight. The build quality is solid for its size, though the smaller burrs mean you trade some grind speed for portability.
Best Use Case
The Aergrind excels as a travel grinder for filter methods. Pair it with an AeroPress or a small pour-over dripper, and you have a complete travel brewing kit that fits in a Ziploc bag. The grind quality is good for the size, and the stepped adjustment keeps things simple when you're brewing in a hotel room or campsite.
Like the Hausgrind, the Aergrind isn't great for espresso. The 38mm burrs and stepped adjustment don't provide the precision you need for dialing in espresso shots. It's a filter grinder through and through.
How Knock Compares to the Competition
The hand grinder market has gotten crowded in the last few years. Here's how Knock stacks up.
Knock vs. 1Zpresso
1Zpresso makes hand grinders that are faster, more versatile, and easier to find. The 1Zpresso Q2 is a similar size to the Aergrind but grinds faster thanks to larger burrs and a more aggressive geometry. The JX and JX-Pro models offer stepless adjustment that handles espresso and filter equally well.
On specs alone, 1Zpresso wins. Where Knock holds its own is in design, feel, and craftsmanship. A Knock grinder feels like a handmade tool. A 1Zpresso feels like a well-engineered product. Both approaches have their fans.
Knock vs. Timemore
Timemore offers the Chestnut line, which is incredibly popular in the budget-to-mid-range space. The Timemore C2 at $60-$70 grinds as well as the Knock Aergrind at $100+. The Timemore Chestnut X at $150 outperforms both Knock models in speed and consistency.
Knock's advantage over Timemore is build character and longevity. Timemore grinders are mass-produced in China and can feel a bit generic. Knock grinders have personality.
Knock vs. Comandante
The Comandante C40 is the most direct competitor for philosophy. Both are European-made, emphasize craftsmanship, and target filter brewing. The Comandante has larger burrs (39mm vs. Knock's Aergrind 38mm, and the C40 produces notably better grinds), a stronger following, and wider availability. The Comandante also costs more ($250+ vs. Knock's $100-$150).
If you're choosing between the two and budget isn't a concern, the Comandante is the better grinder. If you want something different from what everyone else has, Knock offers that.
Where to Buy a Knock Grinder
This is the tricky part. Knock grinders aren't always in stock. The company's website (knockgrinders.com) is the primary source, and they ship internationally. Stock tends to come in waves, so if your preferred model is out of stock, check back regularly or sign up for their mailing list.
A few specialty coffee retailers carry Knock grinders, but selection is inconsistent. In the US, you might find them at smaller specialty shops. In the UK and Europe, they're easier to source.
For broader hand grinder comparisons and alternative picks, check the best coffee grinder roundup. And if you want to see how Knock's pricing compares across the market, the top coffee grinder comparison has current options at every price point.
FAQ
Is the Knock Hausgrind good for espresso?
Not particularly. The stepped adjustment doesn't provide fine enough control to dial in espresso precisely. It works well for filter brewing methods like pour-over, AeroPress, and French press. If you want a hand grinder for espresso, look at the 1Zpresso JX-Pro or Kinu M47 instead.
How does the Knock Aergrind fit inside an AeroPress?
The Aergrind was specifically designed to nest inside the AeroPress brewing chamber. Remove the plunger, and the Aergrind slides right in. Cap the AeroPress, and you have a compact travel kit. It's a clever design touch that Knock clearly thought about during development.
Are Knock grinders worth the price?
That depends on what you value. On pure grind performance per dollar, brands like 1Zpresso and Timemore offer more. On craftsmanship, design, and the satisfaction of owning something handmade in small batches, Knock holds its own. If you care about those intangibles, yes, they're worth it. If you just want the best grind for the money, other brands deliver more.
Can I get replacement burrs for a Knock grinder?
Knock sells replacement Italmill burrs through their website. Availability mirrors the general stock situation, though. Burrs last a long time (years of daily home use), so this isn't something you'll need to worry about frequently.
My Take
Knock grinders are for people who appreciate the craft behind their tools. They're not the fastest, most versatile, or easiest to find. But they're well-made, thoughtfully designed, and carry a character that mass-produced alternatives lack. If you value that, grab one when you can. If you want maximum performance per dollar, 1Zpresso or Timemore will serve you better.