BillinOregon,from what I have read there are sheep-shear knives in museums and private collections.They date from the 1800's mostly late 1800's.Most were re purposed by the Indians but ranchers-farmers turned them into knives too.Some have better steel than others,the self-sharpening ones not as good a steel.But most will hold a good edge.The older ones were hand-forged the newer ones were stamped out.The 2 I made you can see the forge lines in them.They are simple and fun to make.