How Are the Blades on Dog Grooming Clippers Sharpened?

Blade Assembly

Dog Grooming Costs

Having a dog groomed by a professional, especially a dog that requires attention every few weeks or more, can be expensive. So, many dog owners purchase a clipper and do the job themselves. The blades in clippers can get dull and you might think you can sharpen the blade yourself, but, in fact, only a professional should sharpen clipper blades.

Keeping the Blade Sharp

The best process for keeping your blade sharp is to keep the blade clean.

Make sure the assembly is oiled often with a special oil that is very light and designed for blades. Most clipper sets come with a small tube of oil to get you started, You should oil the blade during the grooming if you sense the blade is pulling on the fur rather than cutting it.

With a small brush, clean the clipper between the teeth often, even during your grooming session.
To do a good job of cleaning after use, remove the blade assembly and soak the whole thing in the oil and then brush the fur from the assembly.

Blade Allignment

If you find your blade is not cutting or is pulling on your pet's fur, it is time to have it sharpened. Clipper blades must be aligned correctly in the assembly to work properly. If a blade is not aligned correctly, you may hurt your pet. Gary Hartwell, a professional blade sharpener with Ryan's Pet Supplies in Phoenix, AZ, explains the process he uses: "There are umpteen types of blade systems. You should detach the assembly, which usually slides off the clipper, and send the whole assembly in. There, the blade is removed and sharpened on a hollow grinder. This grinder is a big spinning disc or ring, which has a magnetized holder for safety. The blade is then reattached in the assembly and realigned properly."

Profesional Sharpening

Ted Eserby of TJ's Sharpening Services in Carson City, NV, says when he sharpens a blade he watches how the sparks fly off the blade. "You must see the sparks," he says. "If more sparks fly off one side, you know that the blade is not sharpened evenly and you must change the pressure you are using."

Having a Mobile Sharpener Come to Your Home

Hartwell mentioned that there are also mobile blade sharpeners who can come to you. He says usually a flat grinder is used in a mobile situation because flat grinders are lighter than hollow grinders so they are easier to transport. But he doesn't think the flat grinder does as good a job of sharpening.

Eserby will transport his grinder and come to your home, but he charges a minimum to do that. He says unless you have several blades (clipper, knife, and mower blades, etc.) to sharpen, it is not cost effective for you.

Conclusion

So, remember to oil and clean your blade assembly often. As soon as you notice the blade is not trimming your dog's fur without pulling it, replace the assembly or take it to a professional to have the blade sharpened. You might find one under "Sharpening Service" in your local telephone directory or search the Internet using "blade sharpeners." Many sharpening services offer same-day service, but you might want to keep an extra blade assembly handy.

References

• Gary Hartwell; Ryan's Pet Supplies, Phoenix, AZ
• Ted Eserby; TJ'S Sharpening Service, Carson City, NV