Wool samples from 125 Barki and Ossimi ewes were used to assess some objective and subjective wool traits, which are related to the carpet wool manufacture. The effects of breed and clipping times (once or twice a year) were investigated. The fine fibres of Barki wool had significantly (P < 0.05) less number of scales/100µ (8.03) than those of Ossimi wool (8.36), but no significant difference in number of scales/100 µ was detected in case of the coarse fibres of both breeds (7.14 in Barki vs. 7.00 in Ossimi). Two main types of scales, i.e. coronal and imbricate, were observed in the wool of the two breeds. Wool wax % was significantly (P< 0.01) higher in Barki (14.8 %) than Ossimi (8.48 %) fleeces. Barki wool was found to be significantly (P<0.01) more bulky (28.2 vs. 24.3 cm³/g) and resilient (9.74 vs. 8.44 cm³/g) than Ossimi wool. Barki and Ossimi fleeces did not significantly differ in yellowness and brightness. Concerning subjective appraisals of wool, kemp score, greasy colour grade, scoured colour grade, and lustre grade showed no significant difference between the two studied breeds, but handle grade and bulk grade were significantly (P<0.01) different.  Handle of Barki wool was better (average) than that of Ossimi (slight harsher than average-to-average).  Barki wool was nearly of medium compressibility, while that of Ossimi wool was less compressible than average-to-medium compressibility. Once per year - shorn Barki fleeces proved to be significantly (P<0.01) more bulky, had more number of scales in fine and coarse fibres, contained higher percentage of coronal scales in fine fibres and less wax content. Twice year - shorn fleeces were brighter (P<0.01) and contained (P<0.01) more imbricate scales in fine fibres.