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Finally, an Espresso Maker for Hipsters, Students, and Woodsmen Alike

And here we present, the penny-farthing of coffee: the hand-pressed ROK Espresso Maker.

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All you mutton-chopped bike poloists take note: This steel contraption needs only hot water and the might of your tattooed biceps to produce a pure cup of espresso—no electricity, no waste other than the compostable espresso grounds of your choosing. Also, it looks cool, like a four-armed octopus or something.

But put aside the retrograde—dare I say, steampunk—appeal of the ROK and think about how practical it simply must be. It only adds one step to the traditional process of making espresso (the crank of the hand-press), and even that looks sort of fun and I want to do it. And the fact that it doesn’t require any electricity makes it ideal for dormitories and outdoor use, so long as you have a way to boil water. Finally, the thing is made of engine-grade steel, and there's nothing cooler than a coffee brewer that includes "engine" and "steel" in its description.

All you mutton-chopped bike poloists take note.

The downside is obvious: price. With an MSRP of $199 it can’t really compete with your average French press coffee brewer. But if you’re a connoisseur—someone who drinks a lot of espresso—then the ROK is actually a bargain, or at least competitively priced. Plus, there’s little doubt this thing is more durable than your average brewer. The ROK is actually an upgraded, sturdier version of the Presso, which has sold more than 30,000 units since it was released in 2002.

While we haven’t yet had a chance to test the ROK, we can’t see what’s not to like about it. See it in action below.

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