Burgon & Ball: Hand shears for sheep, goats and gardening

Burgon & Ball: sharp steel for generations

Few toolmakers can look back this far: Burgon & Ball has been making shears and tools in Sheffield since 1730. In 1865 James Ball patented a process for sheep shears made from solid cast steel, and at its peak the works turned out more than 300,000 pairs a year. The company's home was La Plata Works in Malin Bridge, whose machines were once driven by water power from the River Loxley. In 2012 its stainless steel garden tools were endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, and since 2018 the company has been part of the Venanpri Group.

Burgon & Ball at Agrarzone

Our focus is on hand tools for sheep and goat keepers. The Drummer Boy No. 10 and SuperShears 6 hand shears are ideal for tidying up, for small flocks and for areas that are hard to reach with a machine. With the hoof trimming shears for sheep and goats you can neatly cut back overgrown horn. For work close to the ground there are the kneeler and the Kneelo knee pads, which are just as useful in the stable as in the vegetable patch.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need hand sheep shears for?
For dagging tails and hind legs, for finishing after machine shearing and for hobby keepers with just a few animals. They are quiet, need no power and are less likely to startle the sheep.

How do I keep my sheep shears sharp?
Clean lanolin and dirt off the blades after every use, dry them thoroughly and oil them lightly. Store the shears closed and in a dry place so the edges do not go blunt or rust.