Sheep shear knives

[BillinOregon]

I've seen a number of these on the ML forums over the years, but was wondering if anyone has ever seen an early, original example. I'm not even sure when the spring-handled sheep shear first appeared in the historical record. Any ideas?

 

[Bubba45]

A quick search on net shows them dating to the Roman times.

 

[BillinOregon]

Hey Bubba. I should have tried that first, neighbor!

 

[Brasilikilt]

I remember talking to someone a while ago who mentioned something about 18th cent. people in Scotland recycling broken sheep shears into the well known sgian dubh sock knives.
At the time, I didn't think much of it, but after giving the idea some thought....You do need an awful lot of sheep's wool to make kilts, and the Scots are notoriously cheap! To me it makes perfect sense

Look at the pictures and you can see how the triangular shear blades would lend themselves well into being crafted into a sgian dubh.

 

[John Wasmuth]

I've made a couple, came out not near bad and hold an edge pretty good. I have a few more pair that I am gona turn into knives soon I hope.

 

[Bubba45]

Reading yer post made me curious , found a bunch of shears for sale too while looking !! Cheap too !! :wink:

 

[BillinOregon]

Bubba: Picked up my shears at the Fathers Day weekend old tractor and engine show in Merlin at Pottsville.
Brasilikilt: Thanks for the photos of the Scottish knives.

 

[redwing]

There is no shortage of old sheers in sheep country.

 

[T.C.Albert]

"Scots are notoriously cheap! To me it makes perfect sense"....

say what? thats a pure myth...
and by the way, stop writing such tales and wasting electrons lad-ie !
"Slainte"...
TCA