Deep ripping uses a bulldozer to pull a seven-foot metal shank.

The shoe is welted - stitched all the way around - and there are no nails, metal shanks or plastic parts.

If a shoe contained a metal shank or eyelets, it was put through the X-ray machine, as has been the case for several months.

When they went to break it up, they found Davis had been stabbed repeatedly with a nine-inch (23 cm) metal shank.

He said most injuries were minor but one officer was stabbed on the left cheek with a metal shank.

Travelers are now used to getting up earlier for morning flights, wearing shoes without metal shanks and packing bags in anticipation of emptying them out.

They are constructed from tungsten wire, which is held in a metal shank.

At one time there were over 20 shoe factories and related factories making metal shanks in town.

At issue is the metal shank found in many styles designed for comfort.

"Over 90 percent of my line does not have metal shanks," Mr. Heffernan said.