Wow, I can't believe I started spinning 3 years ago!!
Hand sheared my first fiber ewe today, Majin, the Cheviot/BFL/Babydoll mutt. I need to do her mom next, since she's in a jug with lambs. Then try to do the Corriedale ewe after that. Maybe attempt to shear my longer woolled ram, too.
Pro shearer comes on the 24th, so I gotta hurry. Fiber is cleaner when it never touches the ground.
Much easier with the long asian shears (no brand that I could see) I just bought & much easier than trying to get into Babydoll wool!
It took an hour. Ewe objected each time the blade touched her. She was standing quietly for awhile, but then suddenly freaked and I accidentally lobbed off a quarter sized chunk of hide...The new shears are crazy sharp....I hadn't even nicked her at all until then.
Her fleece is fine, crisp white, butter soft & I can't wait to wash & card it!