Back in 1853, slate rippers were heated in coal fires and forged at our facility in Philadelphia. Today they are forged and milled to specifications so that every ripper falls between the same tolerance range. Watching the hard work that goes into every ripper will detail the difference between 1st class hand tools and others.

The Manufacturing Process

This video shows steel that gets to temperature through induction heating, lengthened, then the material is forged, and finally blanked.

The next step involves heat treating in order to give the blade a proper spring temper. Then they’ll come to Stortz Tools to be ground, sharpened, straightened, and painted.

Why Forge?

• A forging is 8-10x stronger than a casting

• Forging’s ductility reduces the possibility of failure without warning when subjected to unexpected shock loading.

• Virtually free of hidden flaws

•Extra strength at the points of greatest stress

Why Buy a Better Tool?

This is a question that you can only answer internally. Our slate ripper will last a decade and deliver performance year after year. If you prefer to purchase an imported knockoff from an inferior manufacturer with varying quality controls, it’s understandable to get the job done. If you feel secure beating on a cast handle or welded construction, it’s your choice. We know everyone has different needs and spending more money for a better tool isn’t always the right fit. Remember that one of the main goals of Stortz Tools is to make sure that what you’re buying meets our criteria for a superior product. It’s our main pledge to our customer base.