MHW-3BOMBER Race M1 Hand Grinder – compact grinding from espresso to French press
Fill in the beans, close the lid, attach the crank. The walnut knob feels warm in your hand, the metal body cool. After the first turns the beans crack, then the sound becomes more even and quieter until the crank turns without resistance: your coffee is ground. The Race M1 by MHW-3BOMBER is a compact hand grinder made for exactly this moment.
Inside works a 38 mm stainless steel burr with six cutting edges, which the manufacturer calls Six Star. The central shaft sits in a double bearing so the burr runs smoothly. You set the grind size on a click ring: 24 clicks per rotation, with each step equal to around 0.04 mm. The dial can be reset to zero, so you can find your settings again after cleaning.
From espresso to French press
The click ring covers the common brewing methods: fine for espresso and moka pot, medium for filter coffee, coarse for French press. In our experience it pays to take small steps with espresso and change only one click per attempt. That way you can taste what changes in the cup.
Taking it apart and cleaning
The grinder comes apart in three sections, which gives you easy access to the burr. Old coffee residue in the burr can affect the taste of your next cup, so regular cleaning is worth it. We recommend a dry brush or an air blower; no water is needed.
Race M1 or Blade R3?
MHW-3BOMBER also makes a bigger sister, the Blade R3: a 48 mm burr, external adjustment and five sieves for filter coffee. At 500 g the Race M1 is lighter and more compact, and with its carry bag it also travels well. Which one suits you better depends on how often and what you grind for.
At a glance
| Brand |
MHW-3BOMBER |
| Model |
Race M1 |
| Type |
Hand grinder (manual coffee grinder) |
| Colour |
Grey, walnut knob |
| Burr |
Stainless steel, 38 mm, six cutting edges (Six Star) |
| Grind adjustment |
24 clicks per rotation, around 0.04 mm per step, dial with zero point |
| Bearing |
Double-bearing central shaft |
| Material |
Stainless steel (SUS304 and SUS420), metal body, walnut |
| Weight |
500 g |
| Cleaning |
Comes apart in three sections |
| In the box |
Race M1 hand grinder, carry bag |
Who it’s made for
For anyone who wants to grind coffee fresh, without electricity and without taking up much space: in the morning for filter coffee, at the weekend in a mountain hut or when travelling. If you are starting out with an espresso machine and want to grind by hand first, this is a calm way in. Ours is one opinion among many: if you grind several espressos every day, an electric grinder will make life easier.
Tip from our café: In our experience a hand grinder like the Race M1 shows its strengths especially with filter coffee. With Wild Peach or Jungle Flower you can taste how a few clicks coarser or finer shift fruit and sweetness. For espresso from a hand grinder we like Cozy Nut, because medium to darker roasts are easier to grind by hand. That is our recommendation, one of many.
What goes with it
For espresso from a hand grinder, the MHW-3BOMBER Lightning WDT Tool 2.0 helps break up clumps in the portafilter. For filter coffee, the MHW-3BOMBER Elf Coffee Server 500 ml is a good match. You will find more models under hand coffee grinders, for example the Hario Skerton Pro. All products of the brand are under MHW-3BOMBER, freshly roasted beans under coffee beans.
Frequently asked questions
Which brewing methods is the Race M1 suited for?
With the click ring you set the grind from fine to coarse. That lets you grind for espresso and moka pot as well as for filter coffee and French press.
How finely can the grind size be adjusted?
The click ring has 24 clicks per rotation, and each step is around 0.04 mm. The dial can be reset to zero, so you can find your settings again.
How do I clean the Race M1?
The grinder comes apart in three sections. We recommend cleaning the burr with a dry brush or an air blower. That is our recommendation, one of many.
What is included?
The Race M1 hand grinder in Grey and a carry bag.
How quickly will the grinder be delivered?
Delivery takes 2–4 working days, throughout Switzerland and to Liechtenstein. Click-and-Collect is available in Bern and Zurich.
Can I get advice before buying?
Yes. In our showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b) we are happy to advise you on hand grinders and the right coffee.
