MBI Tools Shingle Stripper (4 Pack) by MBI Tools - Roof Tear Off, Shingle and Nail Removal Tool

First impressions

I brought the MBI shingle stripper onto a two-layer asphalt tear-off thinking it would be another standard “roof shovel.” It felt different right away. The tool has a slightly leaner profile than some of the heavy-duty shovels I’ve used, with clean robotic welds, a bright yellow finish that’s easy to spot on the roof, and a plastic D-grip that doesn’t punish the palms. At 47 inches, it’s long enough to keep you out of a deep bend but still maneuverable around vents and valleys. The four-pack format also makes sense for a small crew; I had enough to set one at each staging point so nobody was hunting for a tool.

Build and design

The head and spine are formed from 11-gauge, high-strength tempered steel. That thickness strikes a good balance: stiff under load without making the tool feel like an anchor. The tooth pattern is simple and purposeful—broad enough to scoop shingle strips and stiff enough to pop embedded nails rather than skating over them. The welds at the neck and along the head are tidy and consistent, and the all-steel construction means there’s no wooden handle joint to swell, loosen, or crack in wet weather.

The 47-inch length is a thoughtful choice. On shallow pitches, it keeps the working angle shallow so the teeth stay under shingle tabs without digging into the decking. On steeper pitches, the tool doesn’t feel unwieldy as you move along rows. Taller users may want a longer handle for maximum leverage, but the tradeoff here is agility, particularly around protrusions and tight eaves.

The plastic D-grip is better than it looks. It’s broad enough for gloved hands and has just a bit of flex, which surprisingly reduces shock when you smack into a knot of old nails. I’d still prefer a textured or rubberized overlay for wet days, but the stock grip never felt slick.

On-roof performance

On single-layer, three-tab shingles, the MBI shingle stripper is quick. The head slips under tabs easily. A shallow push lifts large sections cleanly, and the back edge of the head naturally finds nail shanks. Once you’ve established a rhythm, the tool both lifts the shingles and cams against the deck to pop nails on the same pass, which keeps debris manageable and speeds cleanup.

On architectural (laminated) shingles—especially older material with heavy granule loss—the tool still performs well, though it benefits from a slightly more aggressive starting bite. I found it best to begin at the eave, take a short run (three to four feet), and then switch to a steeper pry angle to release stubborn nails. For staples, the teeth tend to shear them off clean; for ring-shank nails, it’s more about leverage. The 11-gauge steel gives enough stiffness to pry without the head flexing, which helps avoid gouging the sheathing.

Double-layer tear-offs are always the test. Here, the MBI held its own. The head shape is flat enough to slide between layers without mushrooming the asphalt, and the leverage is adequate for popping long runs of fasteners. In valleys, where shingles are doubled and nails are often dense, I found it helpful to take shorter bites and use the flat of the head to break the bond before prying. That reduced shock and made it easier to keep the deck intact.

Deck protection and control

A good tear-off tool should be fast without being destructive. The MBI’s tooth geometry and head angle naturally encourage a low approach, which protects the decking. If you’re careless and lever too steeply, any shovel will leave marks; with this one, a low, sliding motion is easy to maintain. The flat leading edge doesn’t have aggressive serrations, so it’s less likely to catch and splinter plywood seams. After two roofs, I saw no decking gouges attributable to the tool, and the teeth didn’t curl or deform.

Ergonomics and fatigue

Roof tear-offs are a marathon if you’re short on leverage or if vibration beats you up. This tool’s lighter weight helps, and the D-grip makes it easy to change hand positions to keep your back happy. I still prefer to wear padded gloves because you will feel the impact when you hit clusters of nails, but the plastic handle does a decent job of soaking up shock. The 47-inch length let me work rows without stooping excessively, though taller crew members wished for a few more inches for prying in tight spots.

Durability notes

The tempered steel stands up to abrasion well. After chewing through two roofs, the cutting edge showed normal rounding but no chips. The yellow finish wore on the contact points, as expected, but there was no rust beyond light surface patina.

On welds, I had mostly positive results with one caveat. Three of the four tools remained tight and straight after continuous use. One developed a hairline crack at the junction between the head and the spine after I heaved on a bundle of doubled shingles in a valley. It didn’t fail on the spot, but I retired it and checked the others. My takeaway: the robotic welds look and, in general, act strong, but like any all-steel shovel, twisting pries in dense fastener fields will stress that joint. Keep prying motions in-plane instead of torquing sideways and you’ll likely avoid issues.

The D-grip survived being tossed, leaned, and racked without loosening. It did get scuffed, but never felt brittle, even in cooler morning temps.

Workflow advantages of the four-pack

Having four identical tools on site sounds like overkill until you use them this way:
- Stage one at each ladder/eave setup to cut down on trips.
- Dedicate one to tight details (pipes, skylights) and keep the others for long runs.
- Rotate tools if you hit a lot of adhesive or ice-and-water membrane; a cool tool stays crisp and slides better than one with tar buildup.

The bright yellow makes it hard to leave one behind in a dumpster or in the yard.

Comparisons and use cases

Compared with heavier tear-off shovels that lean on mass to drive through nails, the MBI shingle stripper is more about leverage and technique than brute force. If you routinely tear off slate, concrete tile, or cedar shakes, this isn’t the right tool; it’s purpose-built for asphalt shingles and embedded nails. For DIYers tackling a single-layer tear-off, the lighter feel and forgiving head angle are a plus. For pros, especially crews who prize speed and deck preservation, it slides into the lineup as a primary tool.

If you know you want maximum leverage above all else, a longer-handled shovel may edge this one out for tall users or for steep pitches. But those tools usually weigh more and can be clumsier around details. The MBI threads the needle nicely for general asphalt tear-off.

Tips for getting the most out of it

• Start low and long: keep the head flat to the deck and let the teeth find the nails.
• Work in lanes: clear three to four feet, then step sideways rather than prying at odd angles.
• Mind the valleys: take shorter bites and avoid twisting pries to protect the weld and the deck.
• Keep the edge clean: scrape off tar and granules periodically; a clean head slides better and reduces effort.
• Inspect weekly: a quick look at the welds and teeth will catch any issues early.

Who it’s for

• DIY homeowners removing a layer or two of asphalt shingles who want a manageable, forgiving tool.
• Small to mid-sized roofing crews needing multiple tear-off shovels that balance weight and durability.
• Anyone prioritizing deck protection and a clean nail pop over sheer smashing power.

It’s less ideal for:
- Specialty roofing removal (tile, slate, cedar).
- Users who prefer extra-long handles for maximum leverage on steep, complex roofs.

Verdict

The MBI shingle stripper hits the core requirements of a good tear-off tool: it slides under shingles cleanly, pops nails reliably, protects the deck when used at a proper angle, and doesn’t wear you out. The 11-gauge tempered steel and robotic welds deliver a mostly robust build in a lighter package, and the plastic D-grip adds welcome comfort. In my use, three of four tools stayed rock-solid, while one showed an early weld crack after an aggressive, twisting pry—enough to remind me that technique matters. Keep your pries in-plane and this shovel rewards you with speed and control.

I recommend the MBI shingle stripper, particularly in the four-pack, for crews and serious DIYers focused on asphalt shingle tear-offs. It offers an excellent balance of weight, durability, and ergonomics, and its thoughtful design helps you work faster without sacrificing the deck. If you’re a taller user or regularly fight dense, double-layer valleys, consider pairing it with a longer-handled shovel. For most asphalt tear-offs, though, this tool earns a place on the roof.