Which to buy · Every setting
Normcore Manual V2 vs Timemore C3
Two hand grinders cross-shopped at the same money. The C3 counts 36 clicks; the Manual V2 counts 60 clicks.
Which to buy
Choose the
Manual V2 if you…
- brew pour over and French press — Normcore pitches the 38 mm V2 for those
- want 24 clicks a turn and room for 25 g of beans
- want a carrying case, air blower and brush in the box
Choose the
C3 if you…
- want espresso as an option — Timemore says the C3 is "fine enough for espresso"
- may move towards espresso — Timemore makes C3 ESP models with a finer dial
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Timemore sells the C3 in several versions (C3, C3S, Max, ESP, Pro). The settings on this page are for the standard C3 dial.
Sources: Timemore — C3s / C3 series · Normcore — Manual Coffee Grinder V2 (38 mm)
| Manual V2 | C3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Normcore | Timemore |
| Scale | Clicks | Clicks |
| Dial range | 0 clicks – 60 clicks | 0 clicks – 36 clicks |
| Burrs | Conical | Conical |
| Espresso → filter | 22 clicks | 7 clicks |
| Filter → coarse | 22 clicks | 11 clicks |
The same number means different things
Both grinders use a clicks, which makes it tempting to copy a number straight across. Setting 18 clicks sits at grind index 18.5 on the Manual V2 but 53.2 on the C3 — far enough apart to change the cup.
Converting a setting
If a recipe quotes a setting for one of these grinders, read across for the equivalent on the other. Rows are spaced evenly by grind size, not by dial number — on a conical burr those are not the same thing.
| Manual V2 | C3 |
|---|---|
| 8 clicks | 8 clicks |
| 12 clicks | 10 clicks |
| 17 clicks | 12 clicks |
| 22 clicks | 13 clicks |
| 27 clicks | 14 clicks |
| 31 clicks | 15 clicks |
| 34 clicks | 17 clicks |
| 36 clicks | 19 clicks |
| 39 clicks | 21 clicks |
| 42 clicks | 23 clicks |
| 45 clicks | 24 clicks |
| 49 clicks | 25 clicks |
| 52 clicks | 26 clicks |
| C3 | Manual V2 |
|---|---|
| 8 clicks | 8 clicks |
| 10 clicks | 12 clicks |
| 12 clicks | 17 clicks |
| 13 clicks | 22 clicks |
| 14 clicks | 27 clicks |
| 15 clicks | 31 clicks |
| 17 clicks | 34 clicks |
| 19 clicks | 36 clicks |
| 21 clicks | 39 clicks |
| 23 clicks | 42 clicks |
| 24 clicks | 45 clicks |
| 25 clicks | 49 clicks |
| 26 clicks | 52 clicks |
Side by side, by brew method
Where each grinder lands for the same brew, worked out from its own dial curve.
| Method | Manual V2 | C3 |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 11 clicks | 9 clicks |
| Moka pot | 16 clicks | 12 clicks |
| AeroPress (short steep) | 22 clicks | 13 clicks |
| Pour over — V60 / cone | 29 clicks | 15 clicks |
| Siphon | 31 clicks | 15 clicks |
| Pour over — flat bottom | 32 clicks | 16 clicks |
| Steep and release — Clever / Switch | 33 clicks | 17 clicks |
| Drip / batch brew | 34 clicks | 17 clicks |
| Cupping | 34 clicks | 18 clicks |
| Chemex | 36 clicks | 19 clicks |
| French press | 41 clicks | 22 clicks |
| Cold brew | 47 clicks | 25 clicks |
The shape of each dial
Where the connectors bunch, that grinder’s dial is compressed and single steps count for more. Comparing the two shapes tells you which gives finer control, and where.
Normcore Manual V2
Timemore C3
Dialing in the Manual V2
A hand grinder with external adjustment at a competitive price, aimed at the same buyer as the 1Zpresso JX. Comfortable across filter with enough resolution to attempt espresso, though that end takes patience.
Dialing in the C3
The best-value hand grinder in circulation and the one most likely to be someone's first. Its range is usable across filter and immersion, with espresso possible but genuinely tedious. The C3 benefits more than most grinders from a few seconds of settling before you judge a shot or a pour — its distribution tightens noticeably once the burrs are warm.