Left handed shearing

[Maestro7]

I would like to try and shear some of my own sheep, I'm left handed so I struggling to find any videos or tutorials of people shearing left handed. Does anyone know of any videos showing left handed shearing? Or any advice for a newbie?

Thanks

 

[yellowbelly]

This guy is left handed.....

....pretty impressive. Looks like he uses his knee instead of his free hand on occasions.

You can get left handed combs - Last time I ordered some from Horner's, they asked me if I wanted right or left handed. Looks like they're out of stock at the moment....

Wide Shearing Combs - Longhorn

Ideal for both the farmer who does his own shearing and contract shearers alike. Various widths. Wide combs, we also offer a sharpening service. Sheep Shearing Clippers

www.hornershearing.com

 

[Dyffryn]

I know of a few very good shearers that are left handed and shear with the right. And they are very good. The left hand works harder than the right hand. Only thing you have to do with the handpiece is point it in the right direction. Other hand does all the important work.

 

[Y Fan Wen]

I'm left handed and just watched right handers do it and changed it over in my brain. Ideally you need to be shearing with others and stop and watch how they do the bits you have difficulty with and then go and do another one.
Use the non handed comb to start with as it is not so easy to damage the sheep (or yourself) if you make a mistake.

Lister Shepherds Pro Comb and Cutter Pack

The Lister Shepherds Pro Comb and Cutter Pack features a single 92mm Medium bevel cavalier comb and two 2.5mm claw cutters for a smooth cut. This professional pack is ideal for general purpose shearing. Buy online or instore.

www.wynnstayonline.co.uk

 

[Bury the Trash]

I know an excellent shearer who shears lefty , he is tidier than a lot of 'normal' ones ive seen

There are lefthanded combs .

Wide Left-handed Sheep Shearing Comb

For general purpose shearing. Ideal for UK sheep. 90mm, 93mm, 96mm & 99mm widths available. Left handed shearing combs. Sheep Shearing UK.

www.hornershearing.com

Heiniger Charger Comb - Left Handed - Shearing

HEINIGER CHARGER - LEFT HANDED COMB Designed specifically for UK conditions. This comb,with its smooth bends, finer tips and longer, stronger teeth flows evenly over the whole sheep. The comb is designed to be user friendly from novice shearers to world champions. Price is per comb

www.shearing.co.uk

 

[Nithsdale]

I know an excellent shearer who shears lefty , he is tidier than a lot of 'normal' ones ive seen

There are lefthanded combs .

Wide Left-handed Sheep Shearing Comb

For general purpose shearing. Ideal for UK sheep. 90mm, 93mm, 96mm & 99mm widths available. Left handed shearing combs. Sheep Shearing UK.

www.hornershearing.com

Heiniger Charger Comb - Left Handed - Shearing

HEINIGER CHARGER - LEFT HANDED COMB Designed specifically for UK conditions. This comb,with its smooth bends, finer tips and longer, stronger teeth flows evenly over the whole sheep. The comb is designed to be user friendly from novice shearers to world champions. Price is per comb

www.shearing.co.uk

A leftie should naturally be a cleaner shearer than a right hander. A leftie can hold the handpiece a lot looser in his hand - in the left hand, the handpiece wants to roll towards you. Your thumb pointing forward, along the tension turret automatically stops the handpiece rotating. You righties can't do that so have to hold tighter and 'fight' the turn with your wrist... it means a leftie can shear with a far softer hand, and the comb glides over the body










I can still do a rough job, mind!

 

[AftonShepherd]

A leftie should naturally be a cleaner shearer than a right hander. A leftie can hold the handpiece a lot looser in his hand - in the left hand, the handpiece wants to roll towards you. Your thumb pointing forward, along the tension turret automatically stops the handpiece rotating. You righties can't do that so have to hold tighter and 'fight' the turn with your wrist... it means a leftie can shear with a far softer hand, and the comb glides over the body










I can still do a rough job, mind!

Still can't believe I curled against you without noticing your "disability" ?

 

[Nithsdale]

Still can't believe I curled against you without noticing your "disability" ?

That's because I curl (and shoot) right handed

 

[Green farmer]

If you couldnt get a left handed comb, would be better off using dagging combs as opposed to right handed combs ?

 

[Bury the Trash]

If you couldnt get a left handed comb, would be better off using dagging combs as opposed to right handed combs ?

Yes , as mentioned above.

Actually the comb shown in post # 4 the pic in the Wynnstay link is a lister Countryman 76mm not a handed flared cavilier 92mm. Bit misleading

Actually The burgeon and ball narrow/ straight tooth comb ( pack can be got at mvf) goes nicely we find , for bellying etc . In hard going , or for a beginner.

 

[beardface]

I shear with both hands and right handed combs

 

[Bury the Trash]

Not so keen on the heiniger ovina narrow ones as their teeth are thicker and it's a harder job to get them into it

Mind you any comb that's got dirty / rusty sides to the tooth will be harder to get in smoothly and easiest to use especially in hard going sheep.
Keep them combs clean and shiny!

 

[Nithsdale]

If you couldnt get a left handed comb, would be better off using dagging combs as opposed to right handed combs ?

Because I'm the only leftie in my immediate family it's been right handed wide combs I've used upto a few years ago. It's fine but not really ideal. I noticed a big improvement when I got my first left hand combs.

Theoretically because the hooked outside tooth is now the inside tooth a leftie could take a bigger blow (and likewise with a right hander using left handed combs) but there is greater drag, which causes more strain on the wrist, and you're more likely to cut.


Even now, I'd take a right handed comb over a narrow one to shear ewes

 

[Maestro7]

Farmers Pack - Longhorn Standard

4 standard combs and 8 cutters. Dagging Shears.

www.hornershearing.com

Would those be ok for starting?

 

[Tubbylew]

This guy is left handed.....

....pretty impressive. Looks like he uses his knee instead of his free hand on occasions.

You can get left handed combs - Last time I ordered some from Horner's, they asked me if I wanted right or left handed. Looks like they're out of stock at the moment....

Wide Shearing Combs - Longhorn

Ideal for both the farmer who does his own shearing and contract shearers alike. Various widths. Wide combs, we also offer a sharpening service. Sheep Shearing Clippers

www.hornershearing.com

I don't mind saying, that's made me feel rather inadequate!

 

[Anymulewilldo]

I shear left handed. My uncle tried really hard to teach me how too shear but he just couldn't get his head around me doing it the wrong way round. In the end he jus left me too it, I watched him and picked it up myself. after 2 seasons I could shear nearly as fast as him and just as clean.

Old fella in the hills above us shears left handed, used too be a hell of a shearer. Grandad saw him one day when I was learning and asked if he had any tips. He said "Ignore everyone, when they stop shearing you pinch their machine and do a few. Start with straight dagging combs them you can use any comb you want" I do have left handed combs but I shear just as well with the right handed really.

 

[Maestro7]

I shear left handed. My uncle tried really hard to teach me how too shear but he just couldn't get his head around me doing it the wrong way round. In the end he jus left me too it, I watched him and picked it up myself. after 2 seasons I could shear nearly as fast as him and just as clean.

Old fella in the hills above us shears left handed, used too be a hell of a shearer. Grandad saw him one day when I was learning and asked if he had any tips. He said "Ignore everyone, when they stop shearing you pinch their machine and do a few. Start with straight dagging combs them you can use any comb you want" I do have left handed combs but I shear just as well with the right handed really.

Thanks for your help, are 76mm combs ok to start with?

 

[tr250]

A leftie should naturally be a cleaner shearer than a right hander. A leftie can hold the handpiece a lot looser in his hand - in the left hand, the handpiece wants to roll towards you. Your thumb pointing forward, along the tension turret automatically stops the handpiece rotating. You righties can't do that so have to hold tighter and 'fight' the turn with your wrist... it means a leftie can shear with a far softer hand, and the comb glides over the body










I can still do a rough job, mind!

I don’t think your correct there. The sheep curves away from you so the rotation of the handpiece helps a right hand shearer. I shear left handed as I do everything else left but wish I’d learnt to shear right handed. Our neighbor Is left handed but shears right as his dad made him and he did 451 in 8 hours the other day

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Thanks for your help, are 76mm combs ok to start with?

yep, thems the ones!

 

[Anymulewilldo]

Thanks for your help, are 76mm combs ok to start with?

and don't rush. Wools worth SFA so you might as well have sheep that look well when you've sheared them. when I was learning I got an arse kicking if I didn't make a clean job then had to go catch the ewe and do it again properly. didn't do me any harm but at the time I wasn't amused! I only let a couple go rough before I sharpened my act up!