As I’ve mentioned before, I love when form and function combine to make something beautiful and useful. This Vic Firth Columbia Pepper Mill is no exception. You may be thinking, “Vic Firth? Isn’t that the drumstick dude?” and you would be correct. Apparently he’s an equal opportunity woodworker.

What makes the mill amazing to me is that it stands upside-down. UPSIDE-DOWN, PEOPLE! That means when you’re done, the leftover grinds go back into the mill–not on your countertop. Maybe I’m easily pleased, but that really, really makes me happy.

As if I weren’t geeked enough about this mill, it also just does its job well. One twist produces what seems to be twice as much pepper as my old mill did, and it has a lifetime guarantee. Get yours from amazon (free super saver shipping? yes please!) in one of three colors.

I did a lot of research on pepper mills, wanting to invest in something I can use for years to come. While I saw a lot of recommendations, none featured the upside-down storage that I was looking for. So far, I couldn’t be more pleased.