Selecting the Best Sheep Shearing Blades

If you're just learning how to shear a sheep, then the first thing you'll want to do after selecting the handpiece, is to choose the best sheep shearing blades, referred to in the industry as a comb and cutter, for your needs.

The perfect set of sheep shearing blades will differ depending upon many factors, including:

• What breed of sheep are you shearing, i.e. wool type
• Why are you shearing (harvesting wool, or are you preparing the animal for show)
• The condition of the sheep's fleece

The Difference between the Comb and Cutter?

Sheep shearing heads consist of two parts:

The comb - The bottom unit, which glides along the sheep's body and separates the wool fibres.

The cutter - The top unit, which glides across the top of the comb, slicing through the wool fibres that pass between the teeth of the comb.

The top side (where the cutters glide) of the comb has a small bevel at the end of the comb's teeth, and when your sheep shearing blades are properly adjusted the cutter will sit behind the bevel, gliding back and forth across the flat portion of the comb. This helps to prevent your sheep from getting cut by the shears.

 

Why do Sheep Shearing Combs Come in Different Sizes?

The breed of sheep you are shearing will influence the type of comb you are using and it’s important to buy the correct comb for the job. When purchasing your combs it’s important to consider the bevel, consistency of the teeth length, shape and thickness.

Here are Lister we have a variety of different combs but they can be split into 3 different categories; Short bevel, Medium bevel and Long bevel.

Short Bevel Combs (3mm)

The short bevel is designed for when shearing is at its best and the sheep/stock are in top condition and are ‘good shearing’ with open wool. The bevel is also appropriate on thinner combs when the scallop is ground out.

The Lister short bevel combs include the following;

Challenger, Challenger Elite, Enforcer, Enforcer Elite, Slayer, Slayer Elite

Medium Bevel Combs (4mm and 5mm)

The most popular comb and widely used for the majority of crossbred shearing. This is suitable for nearly all types of wool. Ideal for early in the shearing season, with tight crossbreed wool or good combing, open merinos.

The Lister medium bevel combs include the following;

Havoc Elite, Renegade Elite, Devil Elite, Demon Elite, Cavalier, Countryman 5

Long Bevel Combs (6mm-7mm)

These combs are ideal for early shearing and with tougher shearing sticky sheep, fine wool sheep and from good-combing, open wool merinos thought to the toughest shearing merinos.

The Lister Long bevel combs include the following;

Savage Elite, Reaper Elite, Brutal Elite, Fierce Elite, Countryman 7

Difference between Full Thickness and Elite Combs

Combs are available as either full thickness ‘FT’ or as run-in ‘Elite’. Full thickness combs have slightly thicker teeth, giving them a longer of life as they can be ground down more, whereas the run-in combs have finer teeth tips allowing for easier entry.

Farmer Combs

Here at Lister we also have a selection of combs and cutters suitable for farmers who are looking to either fully shear a sheep  or to dag or crutch.

Cavalier Comb (5mm Bevel, 92mm wide)

Designed to suit shearers of all level abilities, the cavalier comb is a medium bevel comb for fine wool and general shearing

Countryman 5 comb (5mm bevel, 76mm wide)

The countryman is a general purpose convex comb, ideal for shearing and dagging sheep.