C40 Nitro Blade American Cherry

Original Game Changer

"Back in 2005, I started my small specialty coffee roastery – drawn in by the incredible flavors and outstanding cup qualities that specialty coffee had to offer. Those early years were filled with roasting, cupping, and traveling to connect directly with producers at origin.

Roasting and brewing in the field was manageable. But precise grinding – the key to truly tasting and deciding on a coffee – was the real challenge.

None of the hand grinders I tried gave me the clarity or consistency needed. I kept dreaming of EK43-level performance in a compact format I could carry deep into the mountains. I just needed a grind I could trust.

Most conical burrs at the time were designed for electric grinders. Nobody had really considered what a manually operated precision burr would require: superb grind quality, smooth torque, comfortable ergonomics, clean particle distribution – and ultimately, absolute taste clarity.

Then came Cup of Excellence. It shifted the coffee world’s focus toward extraordinary cup quality and flavor expression.

The bar was rising. This new era of specialty coffee needed a grinder with a true specialty burr to match.

So I started building one. And after years of prototyping, testing, and investing in serious lab equipment, it finally came together. In 2015, I launched my first Nitro Blade® based hand grinder: the Comandante® C40 Mk3. I handed a few early prototypes to friends – who soon went on to win major brew competitions. Nitro Blade® quickly earned its reputation as the Original Game Changer.

Ten years later, Nitro Blade® is still the gold standard. Built to last, engineered for clarity, and trusted by champions and home brewers alike.

I’m so glad you’ve got one in your hands now. Welcome to the journey, and to a community that truly loves great coffee and fine craftsmanship. Enjoy every cup!"

– Bernd Braune, Founder

When I started developing coffee grinders many years ago, I had a clear vision: I didn't just want to create a coffee grinder. I wanted it to be a tool that would offer perfection in every turn, last for generations and delight every coffee lover. I quickly realized that the key to this lies at the heart of every grinder: in the steel. But not just any steel would do.

The search for the perfect material finally led me to one of our local Alpine regions, which has been renowned for its steel craftsmanship for centuries. Nitro Rex® is made in a place steeped in tradition, where the finest steel has been produced for generations. This special Alpine region, characterised by a long history and exceptional skill, has become the basis for something very special. The experienced local steelmakers have developed a special recipe that makes Nitro Rex® a masterpiece. Every step - from the artisanal cooking of the steel to the careful remelting and final refinement - is carried out with the utmost precision and care.

The combination of centuries-old craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology makes Nitro Rex® unique. While many stainless steels are merely standardised products, Nitro Rex® carries the soul of generations. This historical foundation is complemented by a precise adaptation to the requirements of the speciality coffee world. The lightly roasted Arabica beans with their fine acids and complex flavours place the highest demands on a grinder. The surface of the steel must not only withstand the enormous abrasive loads, but also be absolutely neutral in flavour - and this is exactly what Nitro Rex® offers.

A Steel Like No Other

Nitro Rex® is more than just stainless steel - it is a masterpiece of material science and craftsmanship. With over 17% chromium and precisely balanced amounts of vanadium, molybdenum and other precious micro-alloys, this steel has been developed to offer exceptional corrosion resistance, hardness and wear resistance. Its complex remelting process ensures a fine, homogeneous matrix structure and a silver-white surface that is not only aesthetically impressive, but also makes coatings superfluous. Nitro Rex® remains as it was created: robust, durable and absolutely neutral in flavour - for a coffee that retains its full character.

Nitro Rex® forms the centrepiece of our grinders. It ensures the consistent precision and durability that is appreciated worldwide - whether for the finest espresso or coarse filter coffee. Every COMANDANTE grinder is made for people who make no compromises and share a passion for quality, craftsmanship and the perfect coffee.

A Personal Promise

Nitro Rex® is the result of years of tinkering, many tests and countless cups of coffee. As the father of COMANDANTE, the quality of the steel for our grinders is a matter close to my heart. My aim has always been to ensure the special originality of the respective coffee flavour - without compromise, without distraction, just the pure character of the bean.

When you hold a COMANDANTE grinder in your hands, you are also holding a piece of this quest for perfection. And even though I am proud of how far we have come, I know that there is always more to discover. The path to the perfect cup of coffee is a journey - and I am delighted that we can embark on it together.