I’ve used, and loved, my Unicorn “Keytop” pepper mill for years, but it failed a few weeks ago. Unicorn no longer offers the Keytop model, so I bought a Unicorn “Magnum” instead.

I found the Magnum’s knob much harder to turn than the Keytop’s knob. There are two reasons for that.

First, the Keytop’s T-shape knob is more grip-able than the Magnum’s smooth, round, and rather slick, knob.

Second, the Magnum’s grinding mechanism is greater in diameter than the Keytop’s, so an intrinsically greater moment. Also, there are more peppercorns in the mechanism at any instant.

But I devised an elegant fix – I wrapped some friction tape around the Magnum’s knob. BIG improvement in function. The black tape on black Magnum isn’t bad esthetically, either, although esthetics have never been the strong suit of Unicorn pepper mills (to say the least).

I haven’t had friction tape in stock for many years, so had to buy a roll via Amazon:

“3M 80611604283 Temflex Cotton Friction Tape, 1755, 3/4" x 20 yd, Black”

A 10” length of tape provides about 1-1/2” of overlap. Some overlap is good because friction tape adheres to itself better than anything else.

My enhanced Unicorn Magnum does produce ground pepper at a prodigious rate. Very pleased with that, because I consume a LOT of pepper.

I have both and love them. Also have the keytop salt grinder.