The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

How often should clipper blades be replaced? We've had ours for about 18 months and use it to trim not only our own dog but the fosters and a friend's dog. Can blades be sharpened or do we need to buy another one?

Also exactly what is the difference between a #10, #7 and #4?

Thank you!

Hey Naomi,

You can have your blades sharpened if they seem dull, but have you cleaned all the hair out really well? I use a blade rinse that is a cleaner and an oil, so it's an all in one process. I've also noticed that if i use an air compressor on my blades after a trim, it gets a TON more hair out than just wiping/brushing them off. (You certainly don't need to replace them yet!)

A 10 blade cuts: 1.5mm
A 7 blade cuts: 3.2mm
A 4 blade cuts: 9.5mm

so basically the higher the number the blade, the shorter the hair is cut. I personally like a 4FC or 5FC for shaved backs and tummies if you are doing false skirts. I use 7FC on nubbies and rear ends. 10's i use on faces, ears, and necks. For a total shave down, i like the 3 3/4 blades as it leaves a little fluff on the legs. Unless a dog is matted, i don't/won't do shaves in 7 or 10 ... it's just too short and seems to irritate the skin.

Sorry, i elaborated a bit on your question!

there's a great booth at Silver Bay vendor row in February (Del Mar Fairgrouds) - I take my scissors every year for sharpening while I play at the show. Good prices and superior sharpening work ...

I was wondering the same thing about my blades. I groom our 3 dogs often as well as our foster dogs and a few others that have come into the rescue.

I have a friend who has been grooming for years and she doesn't recommend getting them sharpened. She's had issues with them nicking the dogs after they have been sharpened so she recommends getting new ones.

I think I'll try cleaning them really good before I replace mine.

Also, does anyone use Kool Lube and would you recommend it for extending the life of your blades? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000143KM0?tag ... Y26HF03D9&

I get my clipper blades sharpened when I notice they are not cutting like they should. I try to take them along to the dogshows when I know my favorite sharpening guy is at the shows. Otherwise here is another good place to send them to be sharpened-
https://php2.secure-shopping.com/theedg ... p?pageid=6
Not sure why anyone wouldn't want to just get the blades sharpened. I have been grooming my own dogs for close to 20 yrs and have never had issues with a blade that I had sharpened. It usually costs $5-$7 to have one sharpened and much more to buy new. When mine are returned its just like having a new blade again!

I agree Karen. Been grooming not only my dog but thousands of others and never had a problem with sharpening. Sometimes I've had bad sharpeners and the blade will bunch and not work, but a well sharpened blade is just like new.

Naomi after 18 months you shouldn't need your blade sharpened yet. I had most of mine done before summer and though I'm needing a few sharpened again, most are working fine. I do between 8-14 dogs every day five days a week.

About the lengths Dani posted keep in mind those are going against the grain. Going with the grain you'll get a longer cut.

Ahh thanks Julie! i couldn't remember if those were against or with.

Don't be sorry, Dani! Your info was really helpful. For one thing when I shared it with my DH, I found out he doesn't always oil/brush out the blades before trimming the dogs.

I have used compressed air to blow out hair from the clippers and find it works better than brushing. Luckily my husband has an air compressor so we don't have to use the canned stuff.

Thanks everyone for sharing your expertise! It's one of the reasons I love this forum!

I usally use my "Metro" dryer to blow the hair out of the blades Works great and is right there just waiting to be used!

Naomi,

I, personally, wouldn't oil blades right before trimming .... then you end up with oil on their coats, and hair stuck to the blade. I clean my blades after i'm done trimming. I blow them out with the air compressor, and then use the blade wash (which has an oil in it, and sanitizes the blade at the same time) Once i've done that, i let the blades air dry.

This is what i have http://www.petedge.com/product/Top-Perf ... /43634.uts

How often should I get my blades sharpened if I'm doing 3-8 dogs a week? I used to ask the sharpeners when I sent them off to let me know whether the blades had actually needed sharpening, but they never told me so I gave up. I can sometimes feel my blades aren't cutting as well and then I send them for sharpening, but it's more often than 18 months. I do oil and brush out after grooming. Also how about the scissors, how often to sharpen them please?

IMO it would vary by each person's individual care of the blades/scissors and usage. When you feel it is no longer cutting the way you think it should, then that would be the time for sharpening.
I cut 12 cockers regularly plus I also do a friends Cavashon and I honestly can't remember when I sharpened a blade. Its been well over 1 1/2 yrs for sure. I have several blades and change them out while grooming so I guess that would pro-long the cutting life of each individual blade too.

Ah, care and maintenance are not my forte....