For a half-century, Vic Firth was the timpanist of the Boston Symphony. His drive for perfection led him to begin manufacturing his own drumsticks; 40 years later Vic Firth drumsticks are widely recognized as the finest in the world. Now, Vic Firth has brought his commitment to quality and an expertise in woodturning to a beautiful line of pepper mills, salt mills and rolling pins. Vic Firth mills are crafted in Maine from solid New England hardwoods. The patented "Lock & Grind" mechanism in all Vic Firth mills is a two-step process that gives you precise and consistent controll over grinding. In the first step, peppercorns or salt crystals and are crushed to release their natural flavors; next, they are ground to the chosen consistency for perfect results every time. Adjustment is accomplished by simply turning the notched crown nut on top; clockwise for finer grinding, counter-clockwise for coarser. The salt mills employ a nylon mechanism to prevent corrosion and all mills feature pop-out mechanisms for easy cleaning. All Vic Firth mills carry a lifetime guarantee against defects.