The stainless blades can also have other materials infused into the steel. Ceramic blades will break if dropped, so unless you are extremely careful, ceramic blades may not be a good choice. These aren’t recommended for beginners andĬlipper blades can made with stainless steel or ceramic. When you shop for blades you may also notice that bladesįinish Cut or FC is the most common and means it gives a If you plan to use snap on combs, you will also need a Number 30īlade 15 is a good alternative for close clipping between toe pads and under the eyes. You can also trim paw pads with a number 10 blade.īlade Number 4 leaves about 3/8 to ½ inch For the Shih Tzu, I recommend a number 3, 4,ģ will leave the most hair, but if your dog is matted, a number 5 or even a 7 may be necessary to get through the mats.īlade often comes with most clippers and this size is good for sanitary clips,Īrmpits, and under the eyes if you choose to use the clipper instead of a pair The higher the number the shorter the hair. Smaller the number, the longer the coat when finished.
These clippers tend to be inexpensive and you will not be happy with the results.īetter, professional clippers do not need to brag, normally comes with one blade and a small sample of oil.Īt a minimum, you will want to purchase: Clipper Bladesīlades come in different sizes and numbered. Don’t be misled by the flashy boxes that boast how much more you get if you purchase their brand. Some clippers come in a kit that includes the clippers, a blade, some clipper oil and perhaps a comb or two. Accessories For Your Dog Grooming Clipper You will find that most of your time is spent on cleaning, disinfecting, sharpening and lubricating the blades. Most clippers have the same amount of maintenance so this is normally not a factor in choosing the one for you.Įventually, with heavy use your dog grooming clipper can last for years. Take that into consideration as some brands are better than others in the need for maintenance. Blades need to be cleaned and oiled and clipper parts can break. There is a bit of maintenance that goes along with owning your own clippers. For example, if you invest $300 in a pair of clippers, grooming supplies and accessories, and you normally pay $50 a visit, your tools will have paid for themselves in six months. The initial cost of the clippers and accessories can be high, but calculate the eventual cost savings. Grooming needs to be done every 6 to 8 weeks and depending on the number of dogs you own, a cheap clipper will not last. CostĪssuming you are going to be doing the majority of the grooming in your home, you will want to purchase a professional style clipper. The most popular brands of dog grooming clippers (and blades) are Andis, Oster, and Wahl. Look at the specs which are usually provided if purchasing on line, or on the packaging if you buy in the store. Assuming it is likely to take you about 30 minutes to do a complete clip, longer if you need to stop for breaks or interruptions. People with large hands may be able to manage a larger clipper and not feel comfortable with anything else.īut if your hands are smaller, a smaller size clipper will feel better. Manufacturers in the past have not addressed ergonomics of their products, but that is changing.Ī comfortable clipper will fit in your hands – You will be holding the clippers like you would a pencil, but pointed down towards the floor. If you plan to do much clipping, you will want to have a clipper that fits comfortably in your hand. Size and Shape of the Dog Grooming Clipper The weight of the clipper is usually provided on the specs or on the packaging. The ideal weight may differ for different people so it is best to experiment before purchasing. Heavy clippers can cause you fatigue, your arms, wrists and hands can be affected. Some lighter weight clippers can be very powerful. The lightest weight clippers may not be the best, but don’t assume the opposite is true. This is especially important if you already have a dog that doesn’t like to be groomed. Dogs have sensitive hearing and the hum of clippers can be an annoying sound. You may not care how loud or soft the clippers are when running at high speed, but I’ll bet your puppy or dog will notice. Clippers differ in weight, size, and sound so each deserve an explanation.