Comandante C40 Nitro Blade Coffee Grinder MK4 (Virginia Walnut)

Black walnut is North America's only naturally dark hardwood, and there's nothing else quite like it. Where cherry starts light and slowly deepens over the years, walnut arrives already wearing those rich chocolate and coffee tones that woodworkers have prized for centuries. The Virginia Walnut finish showcases this remarkable timber at its most striking: deep browns that can carry hints of purple or grey, contrasted with the lighter sapwood in patterns that shift and swirl through every unique piece. It's a wood that feels substantial and serious, a fitting match for a grinder built to the same exacting standards.

Every Comandante grinder with a Premium Wood veneer is genuinely one of a kind. The timber is responsibly sourced from local partners, reduced to fine sheets that reveal the grain patterns hidden inside, then carefully selected for beauty and character. Comandante's craftsmen hand-laminate each veneer onto the stainless steel body before beginning a painstaking process of sanding and polishing with natural hard wax oil. This is repeated multiple times until the surface achieves that smooth, lustrous finish. It's time-consuming work, particularly with a hardwood as dense as walnut, but the result is a grinder that rewards close attention. Run your thumb across it. Feel the warmth of the wood and the coolness of the steel crank. This is coffee preparation as a tactile, deliberate ritual.

Beneath the surface sits the legendary Nitro Blade burr set, developed through years of research at Comandante's Bavarian coffee lab. The high-nitrogen stainless steel burrs deliver the same exceptional particle uniformity trusted by World Brewers Cup champions and demanding home brewers worldwide. The MK4 generation adds practical refinements: a redesigned engine frame that eliminates trapped beans, and an unbreakable polymer jar for when the grinder travels with you. But in Virginia Walnut, the C40 feels like something you'd want to keep in one place, displayed and admired, reaching for it each morning as part of a ritual that gets better with time.

• Burr type: Nitro Blade heptagonal conical burrs (40mm)
• Burr material: High-alloyed, high-nitrogen stainless steel with fine martensitic micro-crystal matrix
• Body material: Stainless steel with Virginia Walnut veneer
• Wood finish: Natural hard wax oil (food-safe, multiple coats, hand-polished)
• Grind adjustment: Stepped click system
• Grind settings: 35+ settings (Turkish to cold brew)
• Throughput: Approximately 1 bean per turn at less than 3Nm torque
• Weight: Approximately 740g
• Dimensions: 150mm (H) x 60mm (D)
• Bean jar capacity: 40g per jar
• Included accessories: 1 x brown glass Bean Jar, 1 x clear polymer Bean Jar, attachable crank
• Crank knob: 100% natural European oak, handmade in Black Forest
• Axle bearings: 2 x stainless steel micro ball bearings with rubber seals
• Axle and crank: Stainless steel
• Engine frame: Eastman Tritan copolyester (BPA-free)
• Lid material: Urochem 371 (natural-based)
• Certifications: Aluminium-free, BPA-free, food-safe materials throughout
• Grind range: Turkish/espresso (fine) to cold brew (coarse)
• Origin: 100% Made in Germany

What makes Virginia Walnut different from Liquid Amber?

Both are walnut veneers, but they can vary significantly in tone and grain pattern. Virginia Walnut typically presents the deeper, more chocolate-brown tones that black walnut is famous for, while Liquid Amber tends toward warmer, more golden amber hues. Because each grinder uses a unique piece of natural wood, there's variation within each finish as well.

Why does my grinder look different from the photos?

Every Virginia Walnut grinder is genuinely unique. The veneer is cut from natural wood, so structure and tone will vary from piece to piece. Black walnut's heartwood can range from light brown to dark chocolate, sometimes with grey, purple, or reddish undertones. This natural variation is precisely what makes each grinder a one-off piece.

Will the wood change colour over time?

Unlike cherry and oak, which darken with age, walnut actually lightens slightly over time when exposed to light. The change is subtle and gradual, and the wood develops a lustrous patina that many find enhances its character. Regular application of Comandante's Wood Care Balm helps maintain the finish and can slow the lightening process.

How do I care for the wood veneer?

Comandante offers a Wood Care Balm specifically for their Premium Wood models. Regular application maintains the lustre and protects the veneer. Keep the wooden surface dry and avoid submerging the grinder in water. A soft, slightly damp cloth can be used for cleaning, and treat the wood as you would any quality wooden item.

What is the Nitro Blade burr set?

The Nitro Blade is the world's first heptagonal (seven-sided) conical burr designed specifically for specialty coffee. Crafted from high-nitrogen stainless steel with a fine martensitic micro-crystal matrix, these burrs feature individually sharpened cutting edges that slice through beans rather than crushing them. The result is exceptional particle uniformity across all grind settings.

What brewing methods can I use with the C40 MK4?

The C40 covers the full range of grind sizes. As a starting guide: Turkish coffee sits around 5-8 clicks, espresso 8-12 clicks, moka pot 13-15 clicks, filter/pour-over/AeroPress 20-28 clicks, French press 32-35 clicks, and cold brew around 35 clicks.

What's improved in the MK4 compared to earlier versions?

The MK4 features a redesigned engine frame that eliminates trapped beans entirely, and includes an unbreakable polymer bean jar alongside the traditional brown glass. The packaging has also been updated with improved protection and sustainable materials. All parts remain backwards compatible with the MK3.

What's included in the box?

Each C40 MK4 Virginia Walnut comes with one brown glass Bean Jar, one clear polymer Bean Jar, an attachable crank with oak knob, and a comprehensive manual in sustainable, recyclable packaging.

How do I clean the Comandante C40?

Never submerge the grinder in water or put it in the dishwasher. Keep the wooden veneer dry; a soft, damp cloth can be used sparingly. Every two weeks, disassemble the grinder and use a brush to remove residual coffee grounds from the burrs and chamber. The bean jars can be washed with soap and water.

Where is the Comandante C40 manufactured?

The C40 MK4 is 100% Made in Germany by Comandante's team of craftsmen and women based just outside Munich, Bavaria. The oak crank knobs are handmade in Germany's Black Forest, and the wood veneers are hand-laminated, sanded, and polished by Comandante's own team using wood from responsible forestry sources.