Matheson Pepper Mill & Salt Cellar

Andrew: I've thrown out more pepper mills than I can count. Plastic gears, wobbly mechanisms, the kind of thing that works fine until it doesn't and then you're grinding nothing and getting frustrated at dinner. Matheson fixed that. Solid hardwood, ceramic mechanism, made in Canada. You buy it once. That's it. I've specified a lot of objects in my career and the ones that earn a permanent place are the ones that do one thing perfectly. This does one thing perfectly.

Ashlyn: Okay I genuinely don't have strong feelings about pepper mills. Dad does. He talked about this one for longer than I expected. I used it. It works really well — smooth, consistent, satisfying in a way I didn't anticipate. If you care about this kind of thing — and apparently some people really do — this is probably the right one. I'll take his word for it on the rest.

Chloe: I actually get this one. I cook a lot and bad tools are annoying. A pepper mill that doesn't work properly is just a thing you fight with every time you make food. This one doesn't fight back. Also it looks good on the counter which matters more than Dad admits.

• Solid hardwood — walnut, maple, or cherry (varies by batch)
• Adjustable ceramic grind mechanism
• Salt cellar with fitted lid
• Finished with food-safe oil
• Made in Canada
• Care: wipe with a damp cloth, re-oil occasionally, don't submerge it

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