Many modern commodities and conveniences of today were made possible through the struggles and laborious endeavors of our forbearers. What may sit as a prominent example in our minds is how valiantly our ancestors fought in wars and perhaps how they overcame the Great Depression with the tenacity of feral cats, however, this blog post is about something so much more devastating: packing wholesale pipes without first grinding the contents with a grinder. We know. It’s horrifying. And yet, it had been done for ages with mortar and pestle, a knife, rocks, or one’s own hands prior to the invention of the modern-day wholesale grinder.

Historically, herbs had been ground or medicinal or cooking purposes typically used in apothecaries, pharmacies and kitchens. The art of transforming what was once a delicate whole herb into just incinerated remnants of its’ former glory was primarily reserved for small businesses until it made its’ way into the hands of individuals. Production and distribution wasn’t expanded until the first grinder was patented.

For tobacco smokers especially, the fineness and delicacy of the tobacco was of the utmost importance and allowed for ideal tobacco consumption with pinnacle taste. The looming priority, however, was social etiquette, meaning no rubbing that nasty tobacco in between one’s fingers before smoking it, and no tainting your good kitchen knife, as one used for tobacco couldn’t by any means be used for food afterwards. Knives often wouldn’t split the tobacco enough and mortar and pestle would again be trotting too far into the kitchen. While primitive for the time, the H. WINGFIELD & J. BALDING. CASE AND DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND DISINTE-GRATING TOBAGGO AND OTHER SUBSTANCES. was a viable solution to an otherwise inconvenient problem, making the “disintegration” of tobacco clean and simple enough for even the finest of gentlemen.

Sifting through the remnants of the past has catapulted us to modern day grinders in bulk. Rather than being comprised of stone or simple woods they are any array of alloy, from aluminum to zinc to stainless steel and, if you’re willing to spend a pretty penny, titanium or if you haven’t a penny to spare: plastic or acrylic. Each carry their benefits and detriments and each cater to a different subset of a unified audience. Let’s delve further into the types of grinders, shall we?

Acrylic/Plastic

While cheap, convenient, and colorful the longevity of wholesale plastic grinders is extremely limited which makes them good in a pinch but unreliable overall. The teeth tend to dull quickly or break off from overuse or any significant pressure and, while they are sometimes equipped with extra compartments for rolling papers and other goodies, they often don’t possess a screen, making them far more difficult to clean.

Wood

Similar to acrylic grinders in bulk, wholesale wood grinders are difficult to clean as they also have fewer “stages” or compartments, causing them to stick together and rendering them generally less effective at breaking up herb. Their artistry, however, tends to be to a higher degree than aluminum or plastic grinders and smokers are drawn to a more aesthetic piece for their smoking stash. Pricewise, they sit between plastic and metal grinders, making them a reliable intermediate option that won’t break the bank.

Aluminum

The most sought-after piece of smoking equipment for any might just be the Ol’ Reliable aluminum grinder. A preference among many, the teeth of aluminum grinders in bulk are often sharper and less quick to dull and are often diamond-shaped, making for an easier grind. Aluminum and other metal grinders typically possess a screen for catching and weeding out the very fine parts of the herb, as well as a storage chamber, and sometimes fun novelties such as a dispenser slot or a window. They are heavier than wood and plastic grinders, leading them to be more clunky in a bag or pocket but are far more reliable and less likely to break. As far as aesthetics are concerned, dents aren’t uncommon with wholesale aluminum grinders as aluminum is a softer metal alloy, but this typically doesn’t affect functionality.

Zinc

Considered to be of a higher quality than plastic, wood, or aluminum grinders, zinc alloy grinders for head shop resale have many of the same benefits as aluminum grinders: they’re robust, reliable, less quick to dull, easy to clean, have multiple stages, etc. but have the added advantage of being more heavy duty than aluminum. While that is usually a benefit, it does make them slightly more cumbersome for travel but makes them a staple for an at-home smoke sesh. Zinc alloys are also more costly than aluminum alloys are, though the sturdier feel in one’s hands can sometimes make it worth it, not to mention the anodized coating that some wholesale zinc alloy grinders boast to make them more attractive to the eye.

In conclusion, the correct grinder for a smoker boils down to personal preference and what need that individual is looking to meet. As a smoke shop or head shop owner, it’s recommended to carry a selection that can meet as many needs as possible and to cater as best as you can to your individual audience. As a smoke shop wholesaler, we aim to carry a wide selection so you can determine what best fits your needs. Shop our selection of wholesale grinders and other head shop accessories for resale here and here.