DrTail Economy Hand Sheep Shears, 12" & 14" – Single or Double Bow

DrTail Economy Hand Sheep Shears are manual sheep shears, also called blade shears, wool shears or sheep shearing scissors, in 12" and 14" lengths. They are made for crutching, dagging, trimming and fitting sheep, and for hand shearing small flocks. They need no power or cords, so they work anywhere in the barn, show ring or field.

Choose a double bow in red (12" or 14") or black (12"), or a single bow in black (12").

Who uses hand sheep shears

• Small-flock and homestead sheep owners who shear a few animals a year
• 4-H and FFA exhibitors fitting and tidying show sheep
• Goat, alpaca and llama owners who trim fiber by hand
• Shepherds crutching ewes before lambing or dagging soiled wool around the tail
• Spinners and fiber artists who want longer, unbroken fleece
• Anyone who wants a quiet tool that won't spook nervous animals

Single bow or double bow: which should you choose?

The bow is the spring at the end of the handle that opens the blades after each squeeze.

• Double bow: the most common style. The figure-eight spring gives a softer, easier squeeze, which suits longer jobs and most hands. Available in red 12", red 14" and black 12".
• Single bow: a single loop spring with a firmer action and more resistance. Some shearers prefer it for heavier work and denser wool. Available in black 12".

If you are not sure, the double bow is the usual starting point. Choose the 14" for a longer reach and longer cut, or the 12" for closer control around the face, legs and udder.

Blades

• Black Double Bow 12" and Red Double Bow 14": bright, heat-treated stainless steel blades that come sharp and cut cleanly. Stainless resists rust, which helps if your shears are stored in a damp barn.
• Red Double Bow 12" and Black Single Bow 12": black-coated 6" blades with a ground cutting edge, as shown in the photos.

Specifications

Weight: the Red Double Bow 12" weighs 10.7 oz (303 g) and the Black Single Bow 12" weighs 9.8 oz (278 g).

What they are used for

• Crutching: clearing wool from around the udder and back end before lambing
• Dagging: cutting away dung-soiled wool (dags) to help prevent flystrike
• Fitting and trimming show sheep
• Hand shearing small flocks, goats, alpacas and llamas
• Tidying around the face, legs and belly between full shearings
• Blade shearing leaves a slightly longer layer of wool than electric clippers, which gives sheep more protection from cold and sun after shearing

How to use hand shears

1. Restrain the animal so it stands or sits still.
2. Hold the shears with the bow in your palm and squeeze with your whole hand.
3. Keep the skin flat and taut with your free hand, and keep the blades parallel to the skin.
4. Take short, controlled cuts and keep the points away from the skin, especially around folds, teats and the pizzle.

Care and sharpening

• Wipe off wool, grease and lanolin after each use, and dry the blades.
• Apply a light coat of oil and store the shears somewhere dry. The black-coated blades need this most; the stainless blades resist rust but still last longer when kept clean and dry.
• Cover the tips or keep the blades tied closed when stored.
• Hone the edges with a fine sharpening stone when the cut starts to drag. Shearers who use blades every day touch up the edge often.

FAQs

What sizes are available?

12" in red double bow, black double bow and black single bow, and 14" in red double bow.

Which shears have stainless steel blades?

The Black Double Bow 12" and the Red Double Bow 14" have bright, heat-treated stainless steel blades. The Red Double Bow 12" and Black Single Bow 12" have black-coated blades.

Can I use them on goats, alpacas or llamas?

Yes. Hand blade shears are also used on goats, alpacas and llamas for shearing and trimming fiber.

Hand shears or electric clippers?

Electric clippers are faster for a full shear on a large flock. Hand shears are quiet, need no power, cost less, and are the better tool for crutching, dagging, spot trimming and small flocks.

Do hand shears need sharpening?

Yes. Like any blade, the edge dulls with use. Hone it with a fine stone as needed and keep the blades clean and dry between uses.

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