Barista Hustle is, first and foremost, a digital coffee education platform for baristas, business owners, and coffee-enthusiasts as a whole. Founded by Melbourne-based barista and 2012 World Brewers Cup champion Matt Perger, Barista Hustle conducts cutting-edge research related to all things coffee, from business best practices to barista technique to hardcore coffee chemistry, and uses its findings to develop and distribute industry-leading learning and training materials. More recently, Barista Hustle has turned its expertise towards researching, designing and selling both high-quality basic barista gear, as well as advanced coffee brewing tools under the moniker “Barista Hustle Tools”.

Barista Hustle’s Comb is its take on a Weiss/Wire Distribution Tool, or WDT. A WDT is a useful and increasingly ubiquitous tool for espresso puck prep. When ground espresso-fine, coffee has a tendency to pick up a fair amount of static generated by the grinder. This causes the super fine coffee grounds to clump together, which can mess up your distribution and result in channelling if left unaddressed prior to tamping. A WDT such as Barista Hustle’s Comb breaks up these clumps when it is raked through a bed of ground coffee, and additionally allows one to distribute coffee evenly throughout the portafilter, thus preventing channeling and ensuring more consistent extraction. 

What sets Barista Hustle’s Comb apart is its adjustability. Its soft silicone handle is perforated with 25 holes, into which you can arrange your needles into whatever configuration you like, from an evenly-spaced hexagon to a straight rake. If you’re worried about losing any needles, don’t stress. You get 30 in the box and, unlike with other WDTs, these needles have rounded tips, so you don’t have to worry about any accidental acupuncture incidents.

Note: a WDT is great on its own, but works best when paired with a dosing collar, such as Barista Hustle’s own. 

Barista Hustle Comb features and specifications

• Black silicone handle - sturdy, dishwasher safe
• Comes with 30 0.35mm needles made of flexible and durable 501 stainless steel
• Rounded ends on all needles
• Customizable layout