6 Gloves For Sheep Shearing That Prevent Common Issues

There’s a moment every shearer knows: the handpiece feels like it’s about to slip on a patch of greasy wool, right as you’re navigating a tricky curve around the shoulder. That split second of lost control is where nicks, injuries, and uneven cuts happen. The right pair of gloves isn’t just about comfort; it’s a critical tool for safety, precision, and a less stressful shearing day.

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The Right Gloves for a Safer, Cleaner Shear

Choosing gloves for shearing is about solving specific problems. The biggest issue is grip. Raw fleece is loaded with lanolin, a greasy wax that makes both the sheep’s skin and your handpiece incredibly slippery. A standard leather or canvas work glove quickly becomes a liability, slick with grease and unable to provide a secure hold.

Beyond grip, you need protection without sacrificing feel. You’re working with a powerful, fast-moving cutting tool. A good glove offers a barrier against minor nicks and scrapes, both from the comb and from a sheep’s sudden kick. Yet, it can’t be so thick that you lose the tactile feedback needed to feel the contours of the sheep’s body, which is essential for avoiding skin tags and wrinkles.

Finally, consider hand fatigue. Shearing is repetitive, high-tension work. A poorly fitting or overly stiff glove forces your hand muscles to work harder just to maintain control, leading to cramps and exhaustion. The ideal glove feels like a second skin, providing grip and protection while allowing your hand to move naturally.

Showa Atlas 370: Superior Grip on Greasy Wool

The Showa Atlas 370 is a favorite for one primary reason: its exceptional grip on lanolin-rich wool. Its thin nitrile palm coating provides a slightly tacky surface that cuts right through the grease. This gives you a confident, secure hold on the handpiece and allows you to manipulate the sheep’s skin without slipping.

This glove is not about heavy-duty protection. It’s a lightweight, form-fitting glove made with a seamless nylon liner. Think of it less as armor and more as a high-performance tool for control. The dexterity is excellent, allowing you to feel what you’re doing, but it offers minimal defense against a serious cut.

Because they are relatively inexpensive, many shearers treat them as semi-disposable. They hold up for several shearing sessions but will eventually wear through. Their strength is in their unbeatable grip and feel on greasy fleece, making them a top choice for anyone prioritizing a clean, fast shear over maximum protection.

Ansell HyFlex 11-624: Cut Resistance & Feel

If your main concern is avoiding nicks from the handpiece, the Ansell HyFlex 11-624 is a step up in safety. This glove is engineered with cut-resistant fibers woven into the liner. It provides a meaningful defense against the kind of glancing blows that can happen when a sheep shifts unexpectedly.

The key tradeoff with any cut-resistant glove is a potential loss of dexterity. However, the HyFlex line does an excellent job of balancing protection with tactile sensitivity. The polyurethane coating is thin enough to let you feel the sheep’s skin, while the liner remains flexible. It’s not as grippy on heavy grease as a nitrile-coated glove like the Showa, but it offers far more peace of mind.

This is the glove for the careful shearer who has maybe had one too many close calls. It’s also a great choice when working with flighty or young sheep that are more prone to sudden movements. You sacrifice a small amount of "feel" for a significant increase in cut and abrasion resistance.

MaxiFlex Ultimate 34-874: Unmatched Dexterity

The MaxiFlex Ultimate is for the shearer who values dexterity above all else. These gloves are famously thin and breathable, designed to mimic the feeling of working bare-handed while providing a layer of protection and enhanced grip. The micro-foam nitrile coating offers excellent control in both dry and slightly oily conditions.

This is not the most durable or protective glove on the list. Its thin construction means it will wear out faster than heavier options, and its cut resistance is minimal. Its purpose is to eliminate the clumsiness that comes with bulky gloves. You can easily adjust the tension on your handpiece or handle small tools without ever taking them off.

Choose the MaxiFlex when you need to feel every wrinkle and contour of the skin. It’s ideal for fine-wool breeds where a smooth, second-cut-free fleece is the goal. For experienced shearers, the unparalleled dexterity translates directly to higher quality and faster work.

Kinco 1927KW Pigskin: Durability vs. Lanolin

For those who prefer a traditional leather glove, pigskin is the only real option for shearing. Unlike deerskin or cowhide, pigskin has a porous structure that helps it stay softer and more flexible even after being saturated with lanolin and repeatedly dried. The Kinco 1927KW is a classic example of a tough, no-nonsense work glove.

The tradeoff is significant. Even the best pigskin glove will eventually stiffen from the lanolin, and it offers far less dexterity than any synthetic-coated option. The grip is decent but can’t compete with nitrile on truly greasy wool. Its main advantage is raw, long-lasting durability against general farmstead abuse.

This glove makes sense if you’re only shearing a few sheep and need a single pair of gloves for all your farm chores, from fencing to stacking hay. It will protect your hands from blisters and scrapes, but it is not a specialized shearing tool. Be prepared for a break-in period and a noticeable lack of tactile feedback.

G&F Products 1519M: All-Day Shearing Comfort

Shearing, especially on a warm day, means sweaty hands. The G&F 1519M, made with a bamboo fiber liner, directly addresses this issue. Bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking and breathable, keeping your hands cooler and drier over a long session than a standard nylon or cotton glove.

Comfort is its defining feature. A dry hand is less prone to blisters, and a comfortable shearer is a more focused and efficient one. The light nitrile coating provides a reliable grip similar to other coated gloves, making it a solid all-around performer. It doesn’t have specialized cut resistance, but it’s more than adequate for general shearing tasks.

This is the glove for shearing the whole flock in one go. If you find your hands getting sweaty and uncomfortable after just a few sheep, switching to a breathable bamboo glove can make a huge difference in your endurance and overall experience. It’s a choice that prioritizes sustained comfort for marathon sessions.

Ironclad General Utility: Reinforced Protection

Sometimes, shearing involves more than just the fleece. For particularly difficult or large sheep, you need a glove that can handle wrestling and positioning as much as cutting. The Ironclad General Utility (GUG) glove offers robust protection with its synthetic leather palm and reinforced high-wear areas like the saddle between the thumb and forefinger.

This is the least dexterous glove on the list, and it’s not designed for the fine art of shearing. The thicker material means you lose almost all feel for the sheep’s skin. Its purpose is maximum hand protection in demanding situations. The rubberized knuckle protection can save you from a painful impact against a wall or gate post.

Consider this glove for the non-shearing hand—the one holding the sheep—especially if you’re working with rams or an unruly flock. It can also serve as the primary glove for crutching or dagging, where the work is rougher and precision is less critical than just getting the job done without getting hurt.

Choosing the Correct Glove Size for Shearing

A poorly fitting glove is more than just uncomfortable; it’s a safety hazard. A glove that is too large can have loose material at the fingertips that can get caught in the comb and cutter of the handpiece. A glove that is too tight will restrict blood flow and cause your hand to fatigue and cramp in minutes.

Finding the right size is straightforward. Most manufacturers provide a sizing chart based on a hand circumference measurement. To measure your hand:

• Use a flexible tape measure.
• Wrap it around the widest part of your palm, just below the knuckles, excluding your thumb.
• Compare that measurement to the manufacturer’s chart.

When you try on a pair, it should feel snug but not constricting. You should be able to make a tight fist without the material pulling uncomfortably across your knuckles. There shouldn’t be more than a quarter-inch of extra material at the end of your fingertips. Taking a moment to find the perfect fit is a small step that pays huge dividends in safety and performance during the shear.

Ultimately, the perfect shearing glove is a personal choice that balances your need for grip, protection, and dexterity. Don’t just grab any old work glove from the shed. Investing in a pair suited for the unique challenge of greasy wool and sharp cutters will lead to a safer, cleaner, and far more enjoyable shearing day.