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Blade shearing

Blade shearing is a traditional manual technique for removing the wool fleece from sheep and other fiber-producing animals, such as alpacas and goats, using specialized hand-held shears that operate on a scissor-like principle with two sharpened blades joined by a spring-loaded bow.^[1] This method, distinct from modern machine shearing, involves the shearer physically clipping the wool in controlled strokes while holding the animal in position, typically leaving a short layer of wool (around 10 mm) for protection against environmental elements.^[2] Originating as one of the oldest forms of wool harvesting, blade shearing has been practiced for centuries, with professional shearers employing it extensively in regions like New Zealand, Australia, and parts of North America before the widespread adoption of powered tools in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.^[3] The technique requires significant skill and physical endurance, as shearers must navigate the sheep's body—starting from the brisket and moving to the flanks, crutch, tail, and head—in a series of precise "blows" or cuts to minimize stress and avoid nicks.^[1] Introduced to New Zealand in the 1850s by European settlers, early blade shearing sessions were labor-intensive, with average daily tallies of 35 sheep per shearer for Merino breeds, though top performers, known as "guns," could reach 100 by the 1870s through refined colonial methods where the sheep was held upright between the shearer's knees.^[1] By the 1880s, innovations like the introduction of machine shears began to eclipse blade methods, particularly in large-scale operations, leading to its near replacement by the 1940s in many areas, though it persists today in smaller flocks or for heritage preservation due to its gentler impact on animals.^[2] Key advantages of blade shearing include reduced noise and vibration, which lowers animal stress and promotes better wool growth and lamb weights, as well as producing cleaner fleeces with fewer second cuts (short, uneven remnants) ideal for hand-spinning.^[3] It also eliminates the need for electricity or complex setups, making it suitable for remote or small-scale farms, and historically supported the growth of wool industries in sheep-grazing regions like Otago and Marlborough in New Zealand.^[1] Despite its decline, blade shearing maintains cultural significance, with skilled practitioners averaging 150–200 sheep per day in an 8-hour shift and competitions still showcasing the art in places like New Zealand.^[2]

Fundamentals

Definition and Principles

Blade shearing, also known as hand shearing, is the manual process of removing wool from sheep and other animals with fibrous coats, such as alpacas, llamas, and goats, using specialized scissor-like hand shears. This method contrasts with powered shearing techniques that utilize electric or mechanical clippers for faster wool removal.^[4]^[5] The core principles of blade shearing emphasize secure animal positioning, typically with the sheep held on its rump or flipped to its side to maintain control and reduce stress, combined with long, controlled strokes that cut wool close to the skin without nicking or injuring the animal. Shearers must follow the natural contours of the body—starting from the belly and progressing along the sides and back—to ensure a uniform fleece removal and minimize second cuts, which could compromise wool integrity.^[6]^[4] In commercial operations, a typical blade shearer processes around 120-140 sheep during an 8-hour workday, though exceptionally skilled practitioners can reach 150-200 sheep in the same period, varying by region (e.g., higher in New Zealand).^[7]^[2]^[8] When applied to non-sheep animals, blade shearing involves specific adaptations, such as sectioning the denser fleeces of alpacas and llamas to achieve even cuts that preserve fiber length and quality for processing, while avoiding contamination from guard hairs. Similar precision applies to goats, where hand shears help maintain clean lines on their varied coat structures.^[9] The fundamental design of blade shears features two elongated blades with serrated teeth or edges that glide past one another in a scissoring action, driven by the shearer's hand leverage for controlled cutting power.^[4]^[10]

Advantages and Comparisons

Blade shearing provides notable advantages in animal welfare and fleece quality compared to mechanical methods. By leaving a stubble of approximately 5-15 mm of wool on the sheep, it offers superior cold protection and facilitates faster regrowth, as wool typically grows about 7 mm every three weeks, allowing sufficient insulation during vulnerable periods like post-lambing or early spring.^[11]^[12] This residual wool layer, rich in lanolin, also shields against sun exposure while maintaining the sheep's comfort. Additionally, the technique yields a smoother finish on fine wools such as Merino, minimizing second cuts and preserving fiber integrity for higher-quality processing.^[12] The process is quieter and less intimidating for animals than powered clippers, reducing stress during handling and enabling gentler interactions that promote overall welfare.^[12] Initial equipment costs are significantly lower for blade shears compared to electric machines (approximately R2,000 vs. R9,000-R15,000 as of the early 2010s in South Africa), making it accessible for resource-limited operations. Despite these benefits, blade shearing has drawbacks, including higher labor intensity and slower pace, typically allowing skilled shearers to process 120-160 sheep per day (varying by region, e.g., 150-200 in New Zealand and 80-100 in South Africa), which limits its efficiency for large flocks.^[7]^[2]^[8] It also imposes greater physical strain on operators and demands advanced skill to prevent nicks or cuts, though poor technique in any method can cause such injuries.^[1] In comparison to machine shearing, introduced in the late 1880s, blade methods are less productive but retain more wool stubble (around 5-15 mm versus 1-2 mm from machines), potentially reducing ultraviolet exposure and associated skin risks in sun-prone areas.^[1]^[11] Machine shearing enables rates exceeding 200 sheep per day and harvests an additional 0.45 kg of wool per animal, but it generates noise and vibration that can heighten animal stress.^[1] Relative to historical techniques, such as using sharp stones, knives, or rudimentary blades, modern blade shearing is far more efficient and humane, avoiding the inefficiencies and high injury rates of pre-19th-century practices.^[1] Economically, blade shearing suits small-scale or remote farms where electricity is unavailable, offering cost savings in maintenance and portability over mechanized alternatives.^[12] From an animal welfare perspective, blade shearing facilitates calmer handling that lowers stress levels, though it requires precise technique to minimize nicks; shearing competitions often penalize rough treatment to encourage ethical practices.^[12] In niche applications, it is favored for stud and show sheep in Australia, where the even, natural finish enhances aesthetics without over-clipping.^[13] It remains essential in harsh climates, providing vital insulation post-shearing to support sheep health in cold or variable environments.^[12]

History

Origins and Early Development

Blade shearing, the manual removal of sheep's wool using handheld cutting tools, traces its roots to one of humanity's earliest agricultural practices, emerging alongside the domestication of sheep over 11,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of Southwest Asia.^[14] Early pastoralist societies, beginning around 10,000 BCE, relied on sheep for meat, milk, and hides, with wool harvesting likely involving rudimentary methods such as plucking by hand or using sharpened stones, flint scrapers, obsidian edges, or bone implements to trim fleece as needed for comfort or basic textile production. These primitive techniques were essential in nomadic herding communities across Eurasia, where sheep herding facilitated human migration and the spread of pastoralism, as evidenced by ancient DNA studies showing intertwined sheep-human histories from the Neolithic period onward.^[15] By the Bronze Age around 3500–3000 BCE, shearing practices advanced with the introduction of metal tools, marking a shift from stone-based implements to more durable bronze blades in regions like ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.^[16] Archaeological records from Crete, including Linear B tablets from the Knossos site dating to approximately 3000 BCE, document organized sheep breeding and shearing activities, indicating wool's growing economic role in early Mediterranean societies.^[17] In ancient Egypt, sharp bronze shears were used for wool removal, evolving from earlier glass or metal edges, while Mesopotamian cuneiform texts highlight sheep husbandry's administrative importance, including shearing as a seasonal task.^[18] By the Roman era, shearing had become culturally significant, integral to agrarian life and textile production; texts like Varro's De Re Rustica (circa 36 BCE) describe careful pre-shearing inspections for skin conditions and the use of iron shears, with artifacts such as inlaid bronze-handled iron wool shears found in domestic contexts, suggesting organized labor by shepherd teams during spring sessions.^[19] Scissor-like designs, often spring-loaded rather than pivoted, appeared in medieval Europe by the early Middle Ages, building on Roman precedents and improving upon knife-based methods for efficiency in wool-rich economies like England's, where annual midsummer shearing feasts underscored the practice's social importance.^[17] The technique spread through colonial expansions in the late 18th century, with merino sheep introduced to Australia in 1797 by settlers like John Macarthur, fueling a wool trade boom that exported the first fleeces to England by 1807 and transformed the colony's economy.^[20] Similarly, in New Zealand, sheep farming and blade shearing took hold in the early 1800s, with initial wool exports from the Bay of Islands to Sydney by 1815, supporting rapid pastoral growth among early European settlers.^[4] A key pre-industrial innovation came in the 1700s with the refinement of pivoted hand shears—two blades joined by a central pivot for controlled cutting—which enhanced precision and speed over traditional knives or spring shears, in patterns that minimized injury.^[21]

Transition to Modern Practices

The invention of the mechanical sheep shearing machine in the 1880s marked a pivotal shift in blade shearing practices, particularly in Australia, where Frederick York Wolseley developed the first commercially successful model after years of experimentation, including prototypes tested in the 1870s. Public demonstrations began in 1885, with the first full-scale use occurring at Dunlop Station in New South Wales in 1888, where 184,000 sheep were shorn using 40 machine stands.^[22]^[23]^[24]^[25] This innovation drastically increased shearing efficiency, reducing the time and labor required compared to traditional blade methods, leading to rapid adoption across Australian woolsheds—by 1900, machine shearing had become the standard, relegating blade shearing from a dominant commercial practice to a niche role primarily in smaller or specialized operations. The transition was not without conflict, exemplified by the 1891 Australian Shearers' Strike, where thousands of workers protested wage reductions and the push for non-union labor contracts amid the growing mechanization of the industry, highlighting tensions between pastoralists seeking efficiency gains and shearers fearing job losses and poorer conditions. Despite the dominance of machines, blade shearing persisted into the 20th century in remote and harsh environments, such as outback stations lacking reliable power infrastructure, where its portability and low maintenance proved advantageous. Post-World War II, blade shearing saw a resurgence in competitive contexts to preserve traditional skills, with events emphasizing craftsmanship and speed helping to maintain the technique among younger practitioners.^[23]^[13] By the 1950s, it also gained renewed focus for shearing fine-wool sheep, like Merinos on stud farms, to achieve a more even cut that leaves protective wool remnants, avoiding the closer clip of machines that could expose skin in colder climates. In the 21st century, commercial blade shearing has continued to decline globally due to mechanization, but it endures in specific regions for economic and practical reasons—as of the early 2010s, approximately 9 million sheep (over 60% of the flock at the time) were blade shorn annually in South Africa due to favorable labor costs compared to machine setups; more recent estimates indicate around 70% as of 2014, equating to roughly 14-15 million given the current national sheep population of about 21 million as of 2024.^[26]^[27]^[28] In New Zealand, at least one million sheep, mainly in the South Island high-country Merino areas, continue to be blade shorn annually for similar insulation benefits.^[4] Concurrently, its role in sports has expanded, with blade shearing competitions in Australia growing from a handful in the 1990s to nearly 20 by 2019, fostering skill development and cultural heritage. Modern equipment refinements, such as lightweight aluminum handles and adjustable tension springs in shears like the Watson Multi Shears, have improved ergonomics, reducing hand strain and enhancing precision for both commercial and competitive use.^[29]

Techniques

Basic Shearing Techniques

Blade shearing begins with thorough preparation to ensure the safety of both the sheep and the shearer. The sheep is secured in a controlled position, typically by holding the hind legs to immobilize the animal and provide access to the fleece, often referred to as the "leg-up" position where one hind leg is lifted and controlled for stability. During this stage, the shearer inspects the sheep for health issues, such as flystrike—a condition caused by blowfly larvae infesting soiled or wounded areas under the wool—to prevent welfare risks and wool contamination.^[30]^[31] The standard step-by-step process follows a systematic pattern to remove the fleece efficiently and evenly. The shearer starts with the belly and inside of the legs, using several deliberate strokes to clear the wool from these areas while the sheep is stretched out. Next, attention shifts to the neck and shoulders, where shorter cuts remove the denser wool around the head and upper body. The main body is then sheared from the sides and back, employing long, continuous cuts from the belly up to the spine to cover large areas without interruption. The process concludes with the flanks, head, and remaining legs, rolling the sheep as needed to access all surfaces, with the goal of achieving complete coverage in a single pass to avoid second cuts that could nick the skin.^[32]^[31] Key skills in blade shearing emphasize control, precision, and fluidity. The left hand plays a critical role in stretching the skin taut, positioning the wool, and managing the sheep's movement to expose clean cutting lines, while the right hand operates the shears for leverage and power. Blades must be kept flat against the skin to ensure smooth shearing, and the shearer maintains a steady rhythm synchronized with the animal's subtle shifts to minimize stress and prevent accidents. Proper tension in the shears' spring allows for a consistent gap between the blades, enabling effective wool entry without excessive force.^[32] Common patterns in basic blade shearing prioritize efficiency through techniques like "longblows," which involve full-length strokes from the shoulders over the back to the spine, covering maximum wool in each motion and reducing overall time. In contrast, "short blows"—quick, incomplete cuts—are avoided as they lead to uneven results, increased effort, and higher chances of second cuts or skin irritation. This patterned approach, often structured in a sequence of around 30-40 blows per sheep, ensures comprehensive fleece removal while preserving skin integrity.^[32] Mastering these techniques directly impacts output, with skilled commercial blade shearers averaging around 140 sheep per day in an 8-hour shift, though rates vary by experience and sheep type. Beyond speed, proficient execution enhances wool quality by minimizing contamination from dirt, skin tags, or dags, resulting in cleaner, more valuable fleeces suitable for processing.^[33]^[32]

Regional Styles and Variations

In New Zealand, blade shearing has evolved through the Bowen technique, developed in the 1940s and 1950s by brothers Godfrey and Ivan Bowen, which employs a systematic pattern of approximately 55 strokes for crossbred sheep to maximize efficiency and uniformity while using the non-shearing hand for control rather than traditional leg-tying methods.^[1] This approach emphasizes rhythmic sweeps and skin flattening for even fleece removal, adapting to the demands of high-country Merino flocks where blade shears provide safer, smoother finishes on wrinkled hides compared to machines.^[1] The technique prioritizes stability through upright positioning between the shearer's knees, a colonial innovation that replaced earlier English practices of tying legs for restraint.^[1] Australian variations in blade shearing often focus on achieving a smoother, more uniform wool length, particularly on stud farms where show-oriented cuts enhance fleece presentation and market value.^[23] In South Africa, blade shearing is characterized by fast, fluid strokes optimized for high-volume processing of large flocks, with shearers renowned for their swift and tidy work on coarse-wool breeds.^[27] Inverse bow shears are used for tough or denser fleeces, though double bow shears are more common. South African practitioners have dominated international competitions, underscoring the style's emphasis on speed and precision for commercial-scale operations.^[27] United Kingdom methods in blade shearing frequently feature precise, close cuts judged on the shearing board—a raised platform that standardizes positioning for consistency and safety.^[34] This cultural practice, rooted in traditional events, prioritizes meticulous fleece removal to within 10 mm of the skin while maintaining animal welfare.^[35] In Scottish rough-country styles, shearers often leave protective stubble on hill breeds to shield against harsh weather, adapting stroke lengths for coarser, weather-exposed fleeces in remote terrains.^[34] General variations in blade shearing include the choice between single-bow and double-bow shears, with double-bow designs offering greater tension and smoother recoil for longer strokes on thick coats, while single-bow versions provide lighter handling for finer wools.^[36] Cultural elements, such as the UK sheep board positioning, integrate traditional stances that align the shearer with the animal's anatomy for optimal stroke efficiency and competitive judging.^[34]

Equipment

Types of Blade Shears

Blade shears, also known as hand shears, feature a scissor-like design consisting of two pivoting blades that slide against each other in a shearing action to cut wool fibers close to the skin. The blades are typically serrated, designed to grip and slice through fleece efficiently while minimizing skin cuts. The bow, or handle, provides a secure grip, often shaped to fit the hand ergonomically for prolonged use.^[37] Key components include a spring mechanism, usually a heart-shaped or flat steel spring, that maintains tension between the blades and automatically opens them after each cut to facilitate continuous shearing. Finger plates, positioned near the pivot, offer additional control and stability for the user's fingers during operation. Standard blade lengths range from 6 to 7 inches, with overall tool lengths of 13 to 18 inches for optimal reach and leverage in various shearing positions.^[38]^[39]^[40] The primary types of blade shears differ mainly in bow configuration to suit varying wool types and user preferences. Double-bow shears are the most common, featuring two loops for the thumb and fingers that provide balanced leverage and a soft squeeze, making them versatile for general fine-wool shearing. Single-bow shears, with a single loop handle, are lighter and offer a stiffer action, often recommended for beginners or lighter-duty tasks due to their simpler design and reduced weight. Inverse-bow shears, with the bow reversed or pushed inward, deliver greater resistance and power, particularly suited for coarse wool in regions like South Africa where tougher fleeces require enhanced cutting force.^[37]^[41]^[42] Specialized variants adapt the standard design for specific applications. Alpaca shears incorporate finer teeth on the blades to handle the denser, silkier fiber without excessive pulling, ensuring a smoother cut on camelids. Competition models often feature ergonomic bows with contoured grips and adjusted spring tension to reduce hand fatigue during high-speed events, allowing shearers to maintain precision over extended periods.^[43]^[44] Blades are constructed from high-carbon steel for superior sharpness, durability, and edge retention, enabling clean cuts through thick wool without frequent sharpening. Historically, early shears evolved from wrought iron with basic carbon steel edges to modern high-carbon steel alloys, improving corrosion resistance and overall performance while retaining the tool's manual efficiency.^[45]^[40]^[46]

Maintenance and Preparation

Maintenance of blade shears involves regular straightening and adjustment to ensure proper alignment and comfort during use. The process, known as "doing up" the shears, begins with straightening the blades by placing them on a grooved wooden block and gently tapping with a hammer to correct any bends along the cutting edge from point to heel.^[32] Blades are then pulled back to align the teeth, with tips positioned no more than 30 mm apart to optimize grip and reduce hand fatigue.^[32] This preparation is typically performed before each shearing session to maintain efficiency. Sharpening is essential to keep the blades cutting cleanly through wool. Initial grinding uses a round carborundum stone to create a bevel approximately 4 mm wide on the blade teeth, avoiding excessive removal of material that could weaken the edge.^[32] Fine sharpening follows with an oilstone held at a 65-degree angle to hone the edges and remove any feather burrs, followed by testing the sharpness by drawing a wool staple across the teeth; the blades should shear it cleanly without pulling.^[32] Points may be rounded slightly to prevent accidental cuts to the sheep's skin during use.^[32] Cleaning prevents buildup that impairs performance. After sharpening or use, blades should be washed thoroughly in warm water to remove grinding residue, dirt, or wool particles, then dried immediately to avoid corrosion.^[32] Pivot points and moving parts require light oiling with a non-gumming lubricant to ensure smooth operation and inhibit rust formation, particularly in humid environments.^[47] Proper storage extends the tool's usability. Shears should be lightly oiled, wrapped in a protective cloth or sheath, and kept in a dry, temperature-stable location away from moisture and chemicals.^[47] Seasonal inspections before use involve checking for wear, such as cracks in handles or dulling from prolonged storage, and performing minor adjustments as needed.^[48] Common issues include bent or misaligned teeth, which can be addressed by straightening on the wooden block, and gaps between blades that hinder cutting, corrected by rubbing the edges together or resetting the tension.^[32] Excessive wear from improper setup may require professional regrinding to restore functionality.^[32]

Professional Aspects

Training and Skills Required

Entry-level training for professional blade shearers typically begins with apprenticeships or on-the-job learning under experienced contractors, often lasting 1 to 2 years as novices progress from supporting roles like wool pressing to independent shearing.^[49] In New Zealand, apprentices start by shearing around 50 sheep per day, building to sustained outputs of 100 or more with practice, while formal programs such as 4-day beginner courses introduce basic techniques before full immersion.^[50] Following the discontinuation of blade-specific NZQA qualifications in 2023, current certification is provided through the New Zealand Certificate in Wool Harvesting (Level 3) [Ref: 4153], requiring 65 credits of practical competencies in general shearing skills, with blade training often supplemented by specialized industry courses.^[51] In Australia, similar entry occurs through registered training organizations offering the Certificate II in Shearing (AHC21316, phasing out in 2025), a 12-month program that qualifies novices to shear 40 to 50 adult sheep per day to industry standards; professional levels are achieved via the Certificate III in Shearing (AHC32925, superseding AHC32916), mandating at least 120 merino or 140 crossbred sheep per day with units in technique, safety, and livestock management.^[52]^[53] The New Zealand Shearing Contractors Association supports skill development via online resources but does not issue certifications directly.^[54] Core skills include proficient animal handling to minimize stress, such as using calming techniques during positioning, and pattern recognition to optimize shearing paths for efficiency and wool quality.^[49] Shearers must also develop endurance for 8- to 9-hour shifts, often involving repetitive motions in challenging conditions.^[49] Physical demands emphasize hand-eye coordination for precise cuts and upper-body strength to handle shears and sheep weighing up to 100 kg, alongside mental focus to maintain rhythm and avoid errors over extended periods.^[49]^[55] In the 2020s, training programs in New Zealand and Australia increasingly integrate sustainable practices, such as low-stress animal welfare protocols and consistent cross-Tasman standards formalized in a 2022 memorandum of understanding between training bodies. Specialized blade shearing training is available through dedicated courses offered by organizations providing hands-on instruction worldwide.^[56]^[57]^[58]

Health and Safety Considerations

Blade shearing, a manual technique involving handheld shears, exposes workers to significant occupational hazards due to its physically demanding nature. Common risks include repetitive strain injuries, such as back strains from prolonged bending and spinal flexion, which account for approximately 19.6% of shearer injuries, and hand, finger, or wrist injuries from repetitive gripping motions, comprising 22% and 14% of cases respectively.^[59]^[60] Cuts and lacerations from sharp or dull blades pose another threat, often affecting hands, arms, or legs during the shearing process.^[60] Additionally, fatigue and heat stress in enclosed shearing sheds contribute to elevated injury risks, with most incidents occurring in the late afternoon between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM when exhaustion peaks.^[59] Overall, shearers experience injury incidence rates six times the Australian industrial average, with body stressing injuries representing 46.6% of workers' compensation claims in the sector (data as of 2019).^[59]^[60] To mitigate these hazards, preventive measures emphasize ergonomic design and structured workflows. Ergonomic blade shears with lightweight, balanced handles reduce grip strain and vibration, while personal protective equipment such as gloves, closed-toe moccasins, long pants, and ear plugs protects against cuts, slips, and noise exposure.^[61]^[62] Rotation schedules limit continuous work to no more than two hours, followed by mandatory breaks like 30-minute morning teas and 45- to 60-minute lunches, helping to combat fatigue.^[61] Regular maintenance of blades to ensure sharpness prevents accidental slips that lead to cuts, and routine medical checks, including monitoring for musculoskeletal issues, support long-term health.^[59] Animal welfare standards in blade shearing focus on minimizing harm to sheep through skilled handling and post-procedure care. Guidelines recommend low-stress techniques and accredited training for shearers to reduce nicks and cuts, aiming for the lowest possible incidence to avoid pain and infection risks.^[63] Immediately after shearing, wounds should be treated with antiseptics or topical pain relief, and sheep monitored for signs of infection, with severe cases requiring veterinary intervention or euthanasia if necessary.^[63] Ethical organizations like the RSPCA advocate for sympathetic shearing practices that prevent struggling, ensure competent operators, and prohibit mistreatment in sheds.^[63]^[64] Regulatory frameworks in Australia and New Zealand address these concerns through labor laws that cap daily hours at 8 to 9, typically from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with built-in rest periods to prevent overexertion.^[61] In the 2020s, trends toward welfare certification for wool exports have intensified, with standards like the Responsible Wool Standard requiring verifiable animal handling practices, including shearing protocols, to meet international market demands for ethical production.^[65]

Regional Practices

New Zealand

In New Zealand, blade shearing remains a specialized practice within the wool industry, concentrated on Merino sheep in the high-country areas of Otago and Canterbury, where around 500,000 sheep are shorn annually during the July to October season.^[66] This method supports the production of fine Merino wool, with approximately 3 million Merino sheep in the national flock contributing to a boutique trade valued for its premium quality and sustainability.^[67] A small cadre of professional blade shearers undertake this work, often in gangs operating from remote high-country stations and huts.^[66] These teams typically include a dedicated cook to provide meals for the physically demanding 5,000-calorie workdays, enabling efficient shearing of up to 2,500 sheep over three days at a single station.^[67] Key practices emphasize animal welfare, leaving a stubble length of 8-11 mm to insulate sheep against harsh winter storms and improve lamb survival rates during pre-lambing.^[67]^[68] Culturally, blade shearing connects to Māori traditions through historical involvement in large shearing gangs, while today it enhances eco-tourism via interactive farm demonstrations at sites like Walter Peak and Wilderness Lodge, attracting visitors to experience traditional high-country life.^[69]^[70] The practice has shown stability despite the dominance of machine shearing, with continued records in competitions and integration into sports training programs as of 2025.^[71] Challenges include persistent labor shortages, exacerbated by international migration of skilled workers and competition from synthetic fibers, leading to fewer available shearers overall.^[72] Wages for blade shearers average around NZ$3 per head for large flocks, reflecting the method's slower pace compared to mechanized alternatives.^[66]

Australia

In Australia, blade shearing is largely confined to stud farms and agricultural shows, where it is applied to a small fraction of the national sheep population of approximately 70 million, with a particular emphasis on fine-wool Merino breeds that dominate the flock. This specialized use supports the preparation of elite breeding stock, leaving more wool intact on the animal compared to machine methods and providing precise control to avoid skin damage, which is critical for maintaining wool quality in high-value fine wool production.^[73]^[74]^[13] The technique is favored for achieving smooth, even finishes on rams and ewes before exhibitions, often employing "pattern shearing" strokes to ensure uniform wool removal and aesthetic presentation that enhances the animals' appearance in competitive settings. Economically, it occupies a niche role in the wool industry, targeting premium Merino genetics for sales and breeding programs rather than broad commercial operations. Following a near-disappearance due to the dominance of machine shearing, blade shearing has experienced a notable resurgence, exemplified by events such as the 2019 Blades of Glencoe shearathon, which drew 70 participants and highlighted growing interest among younger practitioners.^[13]^[75] Recent developments include strong performances by Australian blade shearers in national and international competitions, such as Johnny Dalla's standout results at the 2019 World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships. The practice traces historical roots to the era of the 1891 shearers' strike, a landmark labor dispute over wages and conditions during which blade shearing was the standard method across Australian sheds. Challenges persist from the efficiency of mechanical alternatives, yet blade shearing endures for its role in quality assurance and as a cultural touchstone in elite wool production.^[76]^[77]^[78]

South Africa

Blade shearing remains a dominant method in South Africa's sheep industry, where approximately 60% of the country's sheep are shorn using blades, equating to around 12-13 million animals annually out of a total flock of about 21 million. This prevalence is driven by economic factors, including comparatively low labor wages and the affordability of blade equipment, which costs significantly less than electric machines—basic blade shears can be acquired for under R200, while electric shearing machines often exceed R5,000. In contrast to machine-dominated practices elsewhere, blade shearing's cost-effectiveness makes it particularly suitable for the high-volume, labor-intensive operations in regions like the Karoo, where large gangs of shearers process flocks efficiently on expansive farms.^[79]^[28]^[80]^[81]^[82] Practices in South Africa emphasize large-scale gang shearing on Karoo farms, where teams of skilled workers handle coarse and fine wools, often using specialized blade techniques for speed and minimal skin damage. These operations are essential for smallholder farmers, who rely on blade methods to access wool markets without heavy capital investment, supporting livelihoods in rural communal areas. The economic role extends to international trade, with South African wool exports adhering to EU animal welfare standards through industry-led audits and certifications that ensure humane shearing practices, facilitating shipments valued at over $280 million in recent years.^[83]^[84]^[85]^[86]^[87] In 2023, the industry showed continued growth, with wool exports rising 11% year-on-year to over $280 million and production maintaining strong global positioning, bolstered by innovations in training and sustainable practices.^[87] A notable achievement in 2025 was a New Zealand-South African team setting a world record by shearing 970 fine wool Merino lambs in nine hours using two stands, highlighting the technique's efficiency in competitive and commercial contexts.^[88] However, challenges persist, including prolonged droughts that have reduced flock sizes by over a third in areas like the Central Karoo, forcing culls and limiting shearing opportunities, alongside skill retention issues as urbanization draws young workers from rural areas, exacerbating shortages of trained shearers.^[89]^[90]^[91]

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, blade shearing is employed on a limited scale within the nation's sheep farming sector, which oversees approximately 31 million sheep and lambs as of June 2024.^[92] This traditional method is predominantly used for trimming rather than full fleece removal, particularly in the rugged hill terrains of Scotland and Wales, where it suits the needs of hardy breeds like the Cheviot that graze on steep, inaccessible slopes.^[93] Full blade shearing accounts for a small fraction of overall practices, as machine shearing dominates for efficiency in larger operations.^[94] Practices emphasize control and precision, often involving tied-up positioning of the sheep to manage movement during the process, especially for hill breeds requiring close cuts to minimize wool residue that could harbor parasites in damp conditions.^[95] This approach aligns with animal welfare standards under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, ensuring minimal stress through skilled handling.^[96] Blade shearing's slower pace—typically 140 sheep per eight-hour day for commercial practitioners—allows for finer control compared to machines, reducing the risk of cuts on uneven terrain.^[12] Economically and culturally, blade shearing supports hobby farms and heritage events, where it preserves traditional skills and contributes to niche markets like organic wool production.^[93] The method yields cleaner fleeces with lower lanolin content and fewer second cuts, enhancing value for specialty fibers used in sustainable textiles.^[12] In 2024, post-Brexit welfare regulations have reinforced these practices by mandating annual shearing for sheep health, integrated into local agricultural shows that promote both tradition and compliance.^[97] Challenges include the UK's variable weather, which confines the shearing season to May through August to avoid cold stress post-shearing, often disrupted by rain in upland areas.^[98] Additionally, the shift toward machine methods for faster processing—driven by labor shortages and cost pressures—has marginalized blade shearing outside competitive and small-scale contexts, though training programs continue to sustain the skill.^[94]

South America

Blade shearing holds significant importance in the pastoral regions of Patagonia, spanning Argentina and Chile, where it supports the management of over 13 million sheep across vast, arid grasslands. This scale encompasses primarily sheep, with smaller but notable populations of alpacas and llamas integrated into mixed-herding systems, particularly in transitional Andean-Patagonian zones, totaling well beyond 10 million fiber-producing animals in the broader South American context. The preference for blade shearing in these areas stems from the region's extreme weather conditions, including high winds, heavy rains, and sub-zero temperatures, which necessitate leaving longer wool stubble—typically 1-2 cm compared to machine shearing's closer cut—to provide natural protection against hypothermia and skin exposure.^[99]^[100]^[101] In remote Patagonian estancias, blade shearing facilitates mixed-species operations involving sheep, alpacas, and llamas, allowing skilled gauchos to adapt techniques to varied fiber types without the noise and vibration of machines, which can stress animals in isolated settings. These practices emphasize long-stubble cuts to shield against wind and rain, with shearing typically conducted in spring (September to November) in communal sheds that serve as cultural hubs for itinerant crews. Indigenous traditions among Aymara and Quechua communities in northern South American extensions influence southern methods, incorporating hand-shearing rituals tied to seasonal cycles and communal wool processing for textiles.^[102]^[101]^[103] Economically, blade-sheared wool from Patagonia underpins major exports, with Argentina shipping approximately $24.9 million worth in 2023 primarily to China, Europe, and Asia for high-quality apparel, sustaining rural livelihoods amid global demand for sustainable fibers. As of 2024, sheep populations remain stable at around 13 million despite climate-induced challenges like desertification and erratic weather, while alpaca herding shows growth in adaptive mixed systems to diversify income. Key hurdles include extreme isolation of estancias, often requiring specialized transport for shearing gangs via helicopters or long overland treks, and fiber contamination from dust, vegetation, or mixed-species contact, which reduces wool quality and market value.^[104]^[105]^[99]^[106]

Shearing in Competitions

Major Events and Competitions

Blade shearing competitions form a vital part of the global sheep farming community, showcasing the skill and precision required in this traditional technique. The Golden Shears, held annually in Masterton, New Zealand since 1961, stands as one of the premier events, featuring a dedicated blade shearing class alongside machine shearing and woolhandling.^[107]^[108] The biennial Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships represent the pinnacle of international competition, with the 2023 edition hosted at the Royal Highland Show in Scotland and the 2026 event scheduled for Masterton, New Zealand.^[109]^[110] These contests typically employ a format that balances speed with quality, where competitors shear a set number of sheep—often 20 in open classes—within a time limit, such as 20 minutes, judged on both performance metrics.^[111] Judging emphasizes time efficiency alongside wool evenness (aiming for a 0-15 mm finish), animal handling, and minimal disruptions, with penalties deducted for issues like sheep escapes, excessive nicks, or wounds exceeding minor thresholds.^[34]^[111] Competitions are structured across classes from junior to senior open levels, often integrating woolhandling events where participants must skirt and class fleeces efficiently.^[112] Nationally, events like Australia's National Shearing Championships, organized by Sports Shear Australia, include blade classes and culminate in trans-Tasman tests against New Zealand competitors.^[113] In South Africa, the National Shearing Championships highlight blade expertise, serving as a qualifier for international representation, as seen with South African teams excelling in blade events.^[27] The United Kingdom's Royal Welsh Show features blade shearing under Golden Shears world rules, drawing top British and international entrants.^[114] In the United States, the 2024 National Shearing Championships at the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, South Dakota, incorporated blade divisions as part of its all-American sheep day program.^[115] These competitions play a significant role in preserving blade shearing as a cultural heritage skill, fostering community engagement and knowledge exchange in regions where mechanized alternatives dominate.^[116] Prizes vary but can reach substantial amounts to incentivize participation, with some events offering up to several thousand dollars for top blade honors.^[113]

Records and Notable Achievements

Blade shearing competitions recognize achievements in both speed events, where shearers complete a fixed number of sheep as quickly as possible while maintaining quality, and endurance categories, such as solo or team tallies over extended periods like 8 or 9 hours. These categories highlight the physical demands of hand-shearing techniques, contrasting with machine shearing by emphasizing precision and stamina without powered tools.^[117] Notable champions have elevated the sport's profile globally. In 2023, South African shearer Bonile Rabela claimed the individual blade shearing world title at the Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland, completing 6 sheep in 13 minutes and 14 seconds for a score of 65.034 points; he also partnered with Zwelamakhosi Mbuweni to win the team event, marking South Africa's first gold in blade categories. New Zealander Allan Oldfield secured the individual blade shearing world championship in 2019 at the World Championships in France, also contributing to New Zealand's team victory alongside Tony Dobbs. Veteran New Zealand shearer John Kennedy, a multiple-time national blade champion, passed away in July 2024 at age 72, leaving a legacy of competitive excellence in the discipline.^[118]^[110]^[119]^[120] Endurance records in blade shearing underscore the technique's historical and ongoing challenges, with tallies far lower than machine equivalents due to the manual effort required. A landmark solo achievement came in 1892 when Australian shearer Jackie Howe set a world record of 321 Merino sheep in 7 hours and 40 minutes using blades at Alice Downs Station in Queensland, a mark that stood for decades and symbolized the era's gang-based operations where teams often tallied hundreds daily across remote stations. In team endurance, a 2006 two-stand record saw South African shearers Samuel Juba and Bongani Joel shear 460 Merino lambs in 8 hours at the Victoria West Agricultural Show, verified under World Sheep Shearing Records Society standards.^[121]^[122]^[123]^[124] Milestones reflect blade shearing's evolution, including women's increasing prominence; while focused on shearing, related achievements like Scotland's Rosie Keenan's 2023 world woolhandling title demonstrate parallel progress in the sport's skills ecosystem. The year 2024 saw 11 new world shearing records ratified across categories, signaling heightened competitive activity, though blade-specific endurance benchmarks remain rooted in earlier eras.^[110]^[125] Recent trends indicate a resurgence, with over 30 countries participating in the 2023 World Championships, fostering international rivalries and elevating blade shearing's status as a preserved traditional skill amid modern alternatives. In 2025, New Zealand secured the blade shearing win in the trans-Tasman test against Australia, while Allan Oldfield and Tony Dobbs won the national selection event on November 18 to qualify for the 2026 world championships.^[126]^[127]^[128]

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Allan Oldfield – A Champion of Blades - - NZ Life & Leisure
From an early age Allan Oldfield felt the call of blade shearing – and now he's a world champion. World Champion blade shearer Allan Oldfield is not always easy ...
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[PDF] 2019 World Sheep Shearing Championship 2019
Blade Shearing – Team event: 1. New Zealand: Allan Oldfield/Tony Dobbs. 2 ... Australia: Ken French/John Dalla. 5. Ireland: Peter J Heraty/Martin Hopkins.
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Legend of Jackie Howe lives on 123 years after blade shearing record
Oct 11, 2015 · On October 10, 1892, John Robert 'Jackie' Howe sheared 321 sheep in seven hours and 40 minutes, using blade shears at Alice Downs near Blackall, western ...Missing: gang tallies
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Shearing | Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Tallies in excess of 850 lambs or 720 adult sheep have been shorn in a standard nine-hour day by New Zealand shearers such as David Fagan, Dion Morrell, Darin ...
[124]
2 Stand Record Holders - World Sheep Shearing Records Society
2 Stand Record Holders ; Merino Lambs · Tienie du Plessis 447. Aidan Copp 523, 970 ; Merino Ewes · Floyde Neil 540. Levi Neil 526, 1066 ; Strong Wool Lambs · Rodney ...
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Shearing Them Around: 11 Shearing Records In 2024 | Scoop News
Dec 24, 2024 · ... 450 is one of 11 records in the solo eight-hours category, including a men's merino lambs record of 624 set in West Australia in September 2023.Missing: blade | Show results with:blade
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These two sheepshearers secured gold for South Africa at the world ...
Jul 7, 2023 · Bonile and Zwelamakhosi are the reigning world champions. Competitors from 30 countries recently flocked to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the Golden Shears Shearing ...
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Wairarapa Spring Shears and Ashburton A and P Show Shears results
Nov 2, 2025 · Ashburton A and P Show Shears results. Saturday, November 1, 2025. Advertisement. Advertise with NZME. Open final (20 sheep): Nathan Stratford ...