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SHEEP-fed-barely-sprouting-fodders, page : 209
You want to minimize loss of body heat in cold or rainy climates, so do not shave the sheep too closely if your climate is such.
Keep a spare set of blades around. They can be handy for the occasional trim job, such as trimming excessive wool from the udder of a new mother.
The most comfortable hand shears to use are "Rigged" blades. They have a leather strap taped onto the handle, and a rubber stop taped to the top of the other handle at the base of the blade. The strap prevents it from being kicked out of your hand!
How to sharpen blades:
Start sharpening by reversing the normal position of the blades, cross them over each other. Use a medium sharpening stone. Grind the stone along the existing bevel of each blade with long strokes. Do not sharpen the "inside" surface of either blade. When you have finished sharpening, if there happen to be any slightly rough edges, run the stone flat-wise along the inside surface of the back – not the edge – to smooth the edges. When you are shearing, your blades will become blunt and need attention, to do this firmly close the shears so that each cutting edge protrudes beyond the back of the other blade. Then, use the fine side of a small ax stone and follow the existing bevel of each blade.
Preparation for shearing:
Gather your sheep together for about 12 hours before you plan to shear. Keep them in a clean, dry handling pen to reduce stress – not just them, but yourself. If it should rain or is raining and the sheep are wet, postpone shearing them, see #2 page 128.
If your flock is large, break them into groups that have similar types of fleeces such as a group with the same breed, same age, etc.
You may consider wearing a back-support belt when you shear, because shearing can be tough on the back!
How to shear:
Learning the pattern of shearing strokes lessens the time involved in removing the wool. However, the "trick" lies in immobilizing the sheep through various holds that prevent them from struggling – a helpless sheep is a quiet sheep. Forceful attempts to incapacitate sheep cause a sheep to struggle, try to stay relaxed as you work.
Keep a spare set of blades around. They can be handy for the occasional trim job, such as trimming excessive wool from the udder of a new mother.
The most comfortable hand shears to use are "Rigged" blades. They have a leather strap taped onto the handle, and a rubber stop taped to the top of the other handle at the base of the blade. The strap prevents it from being kicked out of your hand!
How to sharpen blades:
Start sharpening by reversing the normal position of the blades, cross them over each other. Use a medium sharpening stone. Grind the stone along the existing bevel of each blade with long strokes. Do not sharpen the "inside" surface of either blade. When you have finished sharpening, if there happen to be any slightly rough edges, run the stone flat-wise along the inside surface of the back – not the edge – to smooth the edges. When you are shearing, your blades will become blunt and need attention, to do this firmly close the shears so that each cutting edge protrudes beyond the back of the other blade. Then, use the fine side of a small ax stone and follow the existing bevel of each blade.
Preparation for shearing:
Gather your sheep together for about 12 hours before you plan to shear. Keep them in a clean, dry handling pen to reduce stress – not just them, but yourself. If it should rain or is raining and the sheep are wet, postpone shearing them, see #2 page 128.
If your flock is large, break them into groups that have similar types of fleeces such as a group with the same breed, same age, etc.
You may consider wearing a back-support belt when you shear, because shearing can be tough on the back!
How to shear:
Learning the pattern of shearing strokes lessens the time involved in removing the wool. However, the "trick" lies in immobilizing the sheep through various holds that prevent them from struggling – a helpless sheep is a quiet sheep. Forceful attempts to incapacitate sheep cause a sheep to struggle, try to stay relaxed as you work.