Sheep shearing is one of the world’s toughest jobs and most challenging sports, so reliable & comfortable tools are essential. Starting in 2006, I helped create an all new range of ‘handpieces’, working closely with shearers and with Lister’s in-house manufacturing team to optimise the design & engineering. I even learnt to shear sheep so that I could empathise with the end user.
For more than a decade after that, I lead the design and engineering upgrades across multiple generations of handpieces. The key to success was partnering with some of the worlds best shearers and industry experts, most notably Sir David Fagan (the greatest shearer of all time) who had a huge influence on the later designs. This culminated in Lister handpieces being used to break multiple world records for shearing.
Skorpion & Outback – 2017 to 2018
For this fourth generation of handpieces, I designed a new handle casting and fork casting which integrated ergonomic changes proposed by David Fagan alongside various design-for-manufacturing improvements. These handpieces are still in production today (May 2025).
DF642 & LS201 – 2015 to 2016
For this third generation of handpieces, I helped to reduce running temperatures by testing & introducing new specification ball-bearings, and by developing a metal-injection-moulded ball-joint socket.
Nitro / Nitro-X & Tallygrip – 2011 to 2013
For this second generation of handpieces, I designed a new handle casting by reverse-engineering a hand-crafted model created by David Fagan. I also implemented a more robust bearing layout, as well as a smoother tensioning system with patented features.
Mamba & Python & Cobra – 2006 to 2009
For this new product range, I designed several investment-castings and their machined equivalents. I also redesigned the articulating cogs to reduce noise and vibration. I also designed a machining fixture, as well as the logos and packaging.
