> you don't realize how awful the ones in big box stores are until someone makes you a proper one
Every time I find myself stocking another kitchen I'm reminded how 99% of what's sold in American stores now is trash, esp. when it comes to the can opener and pepper mill. Just finding a mill that doesn't litter microplastics on everything is an endless treasure hunt, before even considering aesthetics and capacity.
Amen to the can opener. Our very old one is is vastly better than anything in the stores.