Comandante C60 Baracuda Nautilus Blue – hand grinder with a steel unibody
The Comandante C60 Baracuda Nautilus Blue: a hand grinder with a housing machined from a single block of steel, a blue powder coating and the largest burr set Comandante has built.
You turn the crank, and nothing gives way. Around one kilogram of steel rests in your hand, and the force goes straight into the burrs. According to Comandante, the C60 grinds around one gram of coffee per second at filter grind size. Made in Germany, available to buy from us in Switzerland, with Click & Collect in Bern and Zurich.
What defines the C60 Baracuda
Unibody from a single block of steel
The housing is milled from a single block of steel, using manufacturing methods Comandante otherwise knows from building high-performance engine parts. The unibody provides stability and an efficient drive. The strong Nautilus Blue comes from a robust powder coating.
BARACUDA burr set
The BARACUDA burr set is the largest burr set Comandante has released so far. It is designed to match the grind quality of the NITRO BLADE burr set, with more throughput for situations where a lot of coffee is ground. Comandante describes it as an all-rounder for every bean and every brewing method, with clarity, balance and sweetness in the cup.
NITRO REX steel
Like all Comandante burr sets, BARACUDA is made from the brand's own NITRO REX steel, produced in an Alpine region with a long steelmaking tradition. Over 17 % chromium plus vanadium and molybdenum provide corrosion resistance, hardness and wear resistance. A remelting process creates a silvery-white surface that needs no coating and stays neutral in taste. That is why, besides coffee, the C60 also grinds tea, herbs, spices or grains.
Gold Clix grind adjustment
The C60 uses the GX50 Gold Clix system for fine steps within a single brewing method. A triple-click mechanism keeps the grind setting from shifting while you grind. The adjustment wheel sits directly below the burrs and can be turned one click at a time with three fingertips, most easily with no coffee in the grinder. From the factory, the grinder is set to 24 clicks.
The details in everyday use
Black Crank with Big Joe knob
The XL Black Crank comes standard on the C60. It increases leverage, and the Big Joe knob takes strain off your hand and forearm. The knob is attached with a push button and can be pulled off and put back on.
Finding your grind size
To count the clicks, close the burrs fully and then turn counterclockwise. The more clicks, the coarser the grind. Comandante's click table ranges from cezve/ibrik and espresso through Bialetti, filter and Chemex to French press and cold brew. For espresso, you extract by weight ratio; 1:2 is a good starting point. No two shots are alike: the bean, the humidity and you yourself change every day.
At a glance
| Burr set |
BARACUDA, made of NITRO REX steel |
| Grind adjustment |
GX50 Gold Clix with triple-click mechanism, factory setting 24 clicks |
| Housing |
Unibody from a single block of steel, Nautilus Blue powder coating |
| Crank |
Black Crank (XL) with Big Joe knob |
| Bearings |
Three ball bearing cartridges |
| Weight |
Around 1 kg |
| Throughput |
Around 1 g per second at filter grind size (manufacturer's figure) |
| In the box |
C60 Baracuda Nautilus Blue, Black Crank, 2 polymer bean jars, 1 lid, Comandante wristband, merino wool felt mat |
| Origin |
Made in Germany |
Who it's made for
For everyone who wants a hand grinder with high throughput and fine adjustment, from espresso to cold brew. Whether it should be the C60 in Nautilus Blue is a question of wanting, not needing. For everyone who wants a hand grinder that is affordable and precise, there are more models among our hand grinders, for example from Timemore. You'll find spare parts under Comandante accessories and spare parts. Our opinion is one of many.
A grinder goes together with a scale. For everyone who wants scales that are affordable and precise: the Normcore Collection. If you want an app and a flow rate display: Acaia. For filter coffee we carry AeroPress and more filter equipment, and for no-bypass brewing the BIRD from Weber Workshops.
If you want to compare grinders and machines side by side, book the comparison workshop in Bern or Zurich. It is an option, not a requirement. If you are also looking for an espresso machine, the advice tool can help.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Nautilus Blue and the Stone Washed?
The finish. The Nautilus Blue has a blue powder coating, the Stone Washed has a stone-washed surface. According to Comandante, the burr set, crank and contents of the box are the same.
What brewing methods is the C60 Baracuda suited for?
For all common ones: Comandante's click table ranges from cezve/ibrik and espresso through Bialetti, filter and Chemex to French press and cold brew. From the factory, the grinder is set to 24 clicks.
What's in the box?
The grinder, the Black Crank, two polymer bean jars, one lid, a Comandante wristband and a merino wool felt mat.
How do I clean the C60?
Remove coffee dust with a brush or air. Not in the dishwasher, as that damages the ball bearing cartridges. Rinsing with water and mild cleaners is possible; afterwards, take the grinder apart and let all parts dry completely.
Can I see the grinder before buying?
Not every model is on display at all times in our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b). Write to [email protected] beforehand and we will check whether the C60 is there. If you order online, we deliver throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein in 2–4 business days.
Tip from our roastery: For dense, full-bodied espresso with chocolate, caramel and nut, Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight are a good fit. Very Nutty brings maximum body without acidity. If you also grind filter coffee with the C60 and want to discover something fruity, you'll find it in Wild Peach. Other beans work just as well. That is our recommendation, one of many.
