[Jacob-list] Lister Shears

[Jacobflock at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/5/2003 5:08:17 PM Central Standard Time, 
blotham at yahoo.com writes:

> A while back different ones were commenting on their preference to using 
> the 'Lister Sheers' as opposed to the 'Oster Sheers' for several reasons, the 
> main one I remember had to do with how light weight it was compared to the 
> 'Oster'. 
>  
> We have been using the 'Oster' for the past several years, and after this 
> past sheering season, of which we sheered more sheep than  ever before, we are 
> considering changing to the 'Lister'. However, my husband has several 
> questions about the 'Lister' before we make the plunge, and change sheers:
>   
> 1) Which Lister do you use, 'Stablemate' or 'Showman'?
>  2) Which blade do you prefer to use, 'Outlaw', Premier', or 'Senator'?
>  3) Because the Jacob fleece is more dense than commercial bred sheep does 
> this lighter weight sheer handle the Jacob fleece w/ ease?
>  4) Do you have to make frequent adjustments to the tension on the blades 
> while sheering?
>   
> If those of you who have used the 'Lister Sheers' could answer any or all of 
> these questions your response would be greatly appreciated.
>   
> Thanks,
>  Abigail Brown 
> 

Fred Horak here.  Began shearing with the Oster Shearmaster about fifteen 
years ago.  

(1)  I bought a Lister Laser about six years ago and put the Oster on the 
shelf for emergencies.  The Lister ran quieter, cooler, blades and combs stayed 
cleaner and sharper longer.   In June as I was finishing the last fifteen sheep 
(I shear about 100 of ours every year), the blade stopped when I entered the 
fleece and after taking off the shearing head observed the first and second 
gears were not locked together.  I called the Lister (now owned by Wahl) repair 
people in Illinois and they said send it in ... repair of the gear, new cord 
and "maintenance checkup" cost will be about $70 which I enclosed.  

I followed up a couple of days later and they reported ... a brand new Lister 
Laser is in the mail.  I swear by the Lister Laser after my first 600 
shearings; one problem that was solved by Lister replacing the machine.  That is 
exceptional service ... no questions asked.  

(2) I use the Oster 13 tooth comb and the Countryman comb (the later is more 
expensive but lasts longer).  I have used both the XR4 and the styandard AAA.

(3) My experience is the Jacob fleece cuts like a hot knife going thru 
butter.  You may experience some "slow down" in black fleece but I attribute that to 
the denser structure of the black fiber .... denser than white fiber.  
Clearly the Jacob fleece is far more open than many other commercial breeds and down 
meat sheep.  

(4) The Lister Laser routine for me is (a) use blade wash to start with new 
blades. (b) set the tension tight and back off a turn and a half? (c) Oil the 
machine head and blades with Oster oil in the white and blue plastic bottle (d) 
if I pick up dirt in the comb I use a small brass brush to clean the comb 
between sheep and reoil. (e) between every sheep I use the Oster oil on the comb 
and blades.  (z) I used to use WD-40 to lubricate blade and comb but 
discovered that it "plasticized"? on the blade and comb.  I use the oil.  

I shear all our sheep and the Lister Laser has been one reason I have 
continued to do so.  This may sound like a Lister commercial.  However, in June, a 
neighbor came over to learn to shear and brought along a brand new Oster 
Shearmaster.  There is a difference.

Fred Horak
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20030707/e98a8f10/attachment.htm