6 Best Pegboard Tool Holders For Organizing Sheep Shearing Equipment Of Old
Explore the top 6 pegboard holders for organizing vintage sheep shearing tools. Learn how to best display and preserve historic hand shears and cutters.
There’s a special kind of disappointment that comes from opening a wooden box to find a pair of grandfather’s hand shears, only to see the blades are pitted with rust. These old tools are more than just steel; they’re a connection to a simpler, tougher way of farming. Proper storage isn’t about creating a pretty workshop—it’s about preserving that connection and keeping functional history alive for the next generation.
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Why Proper Storage Protects Heirloom Shears
Old shearing equipment is often made from high-carbon steel, which holds a fantastic edge but rusts if you look at it wrong. Tossing shears, combs, and cutters into a damp drawer is a recipe for disaster. The trapped moisture and lack of air circulation create a perfect environment for corrosion that can permanently damage the tool.
A pegboard system fundamentally changes this equation. By hanging tools in the open, you allow air to circulate freely, wicking away ambient moisture from the barn or shed. This simple act drastically reduces the risk of rust forming between uses.
Furthermore, visibility is protection. When every tool has its own spot, you can see at a glance if a blade is chipped, if a handle is cracked, or if a sharpening stone is missing. This prevents small problems from becoming big ones and stops you from accidentally damaging a fine cutting edge by rummaging through a pile of loose steel. It’s about active preservation, not just passive storage.
Wall Control Long Hooks for Vintage Hand Shears
Vintage hand shears, like the classic Burgon & Ball or Ward & Payne models, are heavy and awkwardly shaped. They have a heft that flimsy plastic pegboard hooks simply can’t handle. You need steel hooks that can bear the weight without bending or failing over time.
Wall Control’s long, straight hooks are ideal for this task. The length allows you to hang the shears by their looped handles, letting the blades hang down safely. This orientation keeps the sharp edges away from accidental contact and makes them easy to grab. The key is to get hooks long enough to provide clearance from the wall but not so long that they become a lever, putting undue stress on the pegboard.
Look for hooks with a slight upward angle at the tip. This small detail provides extra security, preventing the shears from vibrating loose and falling if you slam a nearby door or hang up a heavy tool next to them. The goal is secure, stable, and visible storage for your most important shearing tool.
Triton LocBin Bins for Storing Combs and Cutters
Loose combs and cutters are the tiny, expensive, and easily lost heart of any mechanical shearing handpiece. Leaving them on a workbench or in a generic tray is asking for them to get chipped, misplaced, or mixed up. A dedicated bin system is the only sensible solution.
Triton LocBin bins are excellent because they lock securely onto the pegboard, so they won’t get knocked off when you’re reaching for something else. Use them to separate your different sets. You might have one bin for freshly sharpened cutters, another for used ones needing a touch-up, and a third for a specific type of comb you only use on lambs.
Labeling is not optional here; it’s essential. A simple piece of masking tape and a sharpie will do. This prevents you from grabbing a dull cutter in the middle of a shear or wasting time trying to find a matching set. It turns a potential mess into a highly efficient system, saving you time and frustration when you’re already busy with the flock.
Everbilt Multi-Prong for Assorted Hand Tools
Shearing day involves more than just the shears. You need hoof picks, wool cards, marking crayons, and maybe a drench gun for wormer. A multi-prong tool holder acts as a central hub for all these secondary implements.
Instead of dedicating five different hooks to five different tools, a single multi-prong holder organizes them in a compact space. This creates a "shearing station" on your wall, where everything you need is within arm’s reach. The varied spacing on these holders can accommodate the different handle thicknesses of your assorted tools.
This approach is about workflow efficiency. When the ewe is calm and you’re ready to go, you don’t want to be hunting for the hoof pick you need to clear out a packed-in stone. Keeping related tools together streamlines the entire process, reducing stress on both you and the animal.
Keepo Screwdriver Rack for Sharpening Tools
Sharpening old shears and cutters requires its own set of specialized tools. You’ll have flat files, triangular files for serrations, and small deburring tools. These are precision instruments whose effectiveness depends on their sharp, clean edges.
A screwdriver rack is perfectly repurposed for this job. The round holes are ideal for holding file handles, keeping the tools separated and preventing their cutting surfaces from banging against each other. This is crucial—a file that’s been rattling around in a toolbox will be dull and ineffective.
By giving your sharpening tools their own organized home, you also create a visual reminder to maintain your equipment. Seeing the files and stones neatly arranged encourages you to perform regular touch-ups, rather than waiting until your shears are too dull to cut. Proper maintenance starts with proper organization.
Crawford Steel Shelf for Oils and Whetstones
Some of your most important shearing maintenance items don’t hang well on hooks. Cans of shearing oil, tubs of grease, and heavy whetstones need a flat, stable surface. A small steel shelf mounted directly to the pegboard is the perfect solution.
A shelf contains the inevitable drips and greasy residue, keeping your other tools clean. More importantly, it can handle the weight. A large, oil-soaked whetstone is surprisingly heavy, and you don’t want it crashing down from a flimsy hook. Look for a shelf with a raised lip on the front edge for extra security.
This is also the perfect spot for your sharpening pendulum or guide if you use one. It keeps all the components of your sharpening system in one place. You can grab the stone, the oil, and the guide from one location, do your work, and put it all back without cluttering your workbench.
Ultrawall U-Hooks for Grinder Components
If you’ve graduated to a small bench grinder for sharpening, you’ll have a collection of awkward parts to store. Grinding discs, polishing wheels, and safety guards are bulky and don’t fit on standard hooks. This is where heavy-duty U-hooks come in.
These wide, sturdy hooks are designed to hold shovels or sledgehammers, so they can easily support the weight and shape of a grinding disc. You can hang spare discs, dressing tools, and even the wrench for changing wheels all on one or two U-hooks. This gets them off your bench and out of a drawer where they could be damaged.
This isn’t about having a massive industrial setup. It’s about safely managing the components for the small, 6-inch grinder many of us use. Keeping these heavy, round items securely on the wall prevents them from rolling off a shelf and getting chipped or broken.
Securing Your Pegboard for Heavy Steel Tools
This is the most important part of the entire system. Old steel tools are heavy—far heavier than modern aluminum or plastic equivalents. A pegboard loaded with vintage shears, grinder wheels, and cans of oil puts significant strain on its mounting points.
Do not mount your pegboard directly to drywall with anchors. It will eventually fail. You must locate the wall studs and drive your mounting screws directly into that solid wood. Use a stud finder to be certain.
Also, use spacers between the wall and the pegboard. This creates the necessary gap for the hooks to be inserted properly. Many kits come with them, but you can also use a stack of washers or a small block of wood. Use screws, not nails, for a secure hold that won’t pull out under load. Taking the time to mount it correctly ensures your valuable tools stay on the wall, not on the floor.
Ultimately, organizing your old shearing tools on a pegboard is an investment in their future. It protects them from damage, makes your work more efficient, and honors the legacy they represent. Before you buy a single hook, lay all your tools out and plan a layout that makes sense for how you work.
