Santa Cruz Shredder has released a new, lower priced weed grinder.
Santa Cruz RIPPER is half the price as the standard Santa Cruz Shredder and made out of cast aluminum instead of being milled out of solid aluminum bar stock.
The RIPPER has a new Resin Repel Technology that promises to reduce sticky hash buildup. The new RIPPER is available in 2, 3 or 4 piece design – all in the 2 1/8″ diameter size.
Table of Contents
Ripper Size, Colors & Prices
The RIPPER is available in Matte Gold, Matte Silver, Rose Gold, Onyx Black, and Gunmetal.
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Short First Look Video
I put together a 90 second video showing the Santa Cruz RIPPER, its new tooth design, and the cast aluminum construction.
What Makes the RIPPER different than the SHREDDER
- Cast Aluminum instead of Milled
- NEW Resin Repel Surface Tech
- Straight teeth instead of serrated
- Single Medium Size (2 1/8″)
- Limited Colors
- ~50% Heavier :(
- ~50% More Affordable
- $35 vs $65 for 3-piece
- $40 vs $80 for 4-piece
There’s a major difference in how these grinders are made. The standard Santa Cruz Shredder is milled from a solid piece of premium aluminum alloy. A machine makes them one piece at a time. CNC mills are expensive and every minute of machining adds up – which is why premium weed grinders are so expensive!
The RIPPER is made using molten aluminum alloy and a cast. The aluminum alloy used is different than the premium Santa Cruz Shredder and the RIPPER is substantially heavier.
Resin Repel Anti-Stick Surface
The new Santa Cruz RIPPER has a new type of surface enhancement called Resin Repel Technology, designed to reduce how strongly sticky resin adheres to the grinder. In theory that means less buildup, less drag, and longer intervals between cleanings. I’m testing this specifically and will report back once the grinders get properly dirty.
Weed is sticky and weed grinders often suffer from buildup. Smashed trichome heads and bits of herb get pulverized into a hashy build-up that degrades the performance of the weed grinder. Almost all grinders will fail if this is not cleaned.
Straight Edge Teeth Instead of Serrated
The Flagship Santa Cruz Shredder has tiny scalloped serrations on its teeth, which help create an ultra-fluffy grind while making it easy to turn.
The RIPPER skips the scallops and serrations for chunky, trapezoidal teeth that taper from a broad base to a narrower top.
The HEMP-based Santa Cruz Grinders also have this tooth design and that grinder has performed quite well, so I don’t have any concerns with this tooth design.
Grind Comparison: Ripper vs Shredder
I ground two identical nugs from the same bag using both grinders. The RIPPER actually felt faster to grind than the standard Shredder – but my Shredder is 12 years old and a bit dirty.
The RIPPER appears to be slightly more coarse than what I expected, but the same nug came out slightly coarse from the SHREDDER, too.
Sometimes brand new weed grinders perform differently because they’re so clean. As some residue builds up the slight restriction makes the grind consistency come out slightly finer because herb spends more time in the grinding chamber.
I will continue testing the Santa Cruz Shredder RIPPER to see if the grind consistency changes as the grinder gets dirty.
First Impressions of the Santa Cruz RIPPER
I’m only a couple of weeks into testing this grinder – so please consider this an early review.
The colors and finish of the RIPPER are lovely. The matte gold isn’t as flashy as the premium Shredder’s gold, but the RIPPER’s Rose Gold is bling city.
The RIPPER is HEAVY – these feel like Stainless Steel weed grinders, but they’re not. They’re still Aluminum alloy, which will dent, dull, and degrade with normal usage.
I LOVE that they’re tackling affordability. Every stoner wants to have a badass grinder, but the premium Santa Cruz Shredder is priced outside of most casual cannabis users’ budgets. The RIPPER is budget-priced. If it holds up and performs like its more expensive brother, this grinder will be a deal for many.
I’m slightly worried about the strength of cast aluminum. The standard SHREDDER starts with wrought aluminum bar stock while the RIPPER is formed with a molten alloy. Cast aluminum can be more susceptible to defects during solidification, depending on the alloy and casting process. Will any of that matter? I doubt it – but it’s my job to dig in and test this stuff.
Most weed grinders are sold in head shops. People walk in and they’re looking for something flashy and affordable. I think this grinder will be popular for that reason alone. Santa Cruz Shredder is the most recognizable weed grinder in the world. Making it more affordable means making it more accessible.
Full RIPPER Review Coming
I’m still testing the consistency, ease of use, and maintenance of the Santa Cruz RIPPER. Check back soon to see how it compares to the Santa Cruz Shredder, Brilliant Cut, and Old Mate Aroma 3.
So far I see no reason to avoid this grinder. Other than the weight, I have no complaints. For the price I think this will become my new favorite budget pick.
Click here to buy the 3pc Santa Cruz RIPPER
or here to buy the 4pc
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Related Grinder Links:
– Santa Cruz Shredder Review
– Brilliant Cut Grinder Review
– Aroma 3 Spinning Grinder Review
– Best Weed Grinder Comparison Page
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