This Athena 8 inch copper/brass pepper mill is hand made in Greece using the same methods used for the past 300 years with durable all metal bodies and a tool steel grinding mechanism built to last. Athena mills are the origin of the phrase "pepper grinder", since these mills actually grind the pepper. Common pepper mills only smash the peppercorns, which severely limits the flavor release. The Athena mill is a unique piece of European tradition that is functionally the best in the world!