[Jacob-list] Shearing

[wolfpen]

I've checked out your site about shearing and it is really a wonderful
source of information.  I did use the lyre shaped comb, which is recommended
for shearing sheep.

I have been able to observe some very good professional shearers.  In this
area we have a man from Australia that travels around during his off season
and shears sheep.  He has a sheep station with (I believe he said) 1500
sheep, mostly Merinos.  He and his wife start their "vacation" in Ireland,
move on to the UK, and then spend a few months touring the US.  I have
watched him shear 40 sheep in a few hours and I believe he only changed  the
cutter once.  He cleans the shears by immersing them in soapy water while
they are running.  I asked him about the shape of the  "grazer" comb.  He
told me that it is designed to more easily funnel the wool into the cutter.
He also said that not everyone finds it easier to use.  The only reason I
don't have him to shear is that he tends to show up here later than I'd like
for a top notch fleece in our hot and humid conditions.

I once attended an Alpaca shearing festival where people brought sheep to be
sheared.  The shearer there was from New Zealand. He was excellent and made
fun of the "Australian method".

I'm envious of anyone that has mastered the technique of electric shears!
I'm reasonably good with power tools and can cut a bulkhead to fit in a
sailboat, but for some reason just have not been comfortable or happy with
the electric shears.

I guess we just do the best we can with what talents we possess  :- )

Linda
----- Original Message -----
From: "Pavel" <pavel314 at home.com>
To: "Jacob List" <jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: 27 May, 2000 7:57 PM
Subject: [Jacob-list] Shearing


> Before we started shearing our sheep, we took a two-day shearing class
> from the county extension agency. This year we took the one day advanced
> shearing course, which helped a lot. I had gotten away from the New
> Zealand method, devolving into a style I call "Cut What Shows" while
> wrestling with the sheep.
>
> We dip the business end of the shears into a shallow pan of water
> between sheep. If a sheep is particularly greasy, a light brushing with
> a small scrub brush cleans it off.
>
> I'd been changing the cutting blade about every three sheep. Someone
> said that I should be changing the comb every so often as well; does
> anyone have any opinions on this?
>
> We changed from the straight-toothed comb to a lyre-shaped gathering
> comb this year and it made a world of difference. I have pictures and a
> write-up on the combs at: http://members.home.net/rbfarm/combs.html
>
> Paul Intihar
> Rainbow Farm
> Joppa, Maryland
> Website: http://members.home.net/rbfarm/
>
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