Dog clippers (shears?)

[Richard]

I've got an electric Wahl clipper/shears. I've got 4 dogs from 15 pounds with fine hair (American Eskimo) to an 80 lb who has hair as thick as a black bear.

The Whal I've got taught me a lesson... first the blades dull fairly quickly, even though we try to bathe the dog(s) before they're shaved. with their thick undercoat, we can never get all the grit out (ESPECIALLY with the 80 pound dog who's outside 95% of the time unlike the others)

Second lesson... there are different cutter widths and I evidently ordered medium and fine the last time I ordered two replacements. Now I know I really need a wider opening to hack through the thick and sometimes matted undercoat.

So, I'm looking for suggestions on a GOOD pair of cutters that I can use on dogs.

Is the Wahl already as good as any? Do I simply need to go get some new blades? Is the Wahl a 'disposible' brand, relative to others?

We cut our dogs in early spring and will do again midsummer as it helps keep the furbleweeds (fur tumbleweeds) in the house to a minimum.

I've done a search on TBN for animal cutters/shears and didn't find much.

Thanks for any thoughts

Oh... we're on a farm so I'm not necessarily concerned about making my dogs cute or pretty. If I can do so as a side benefit that's great but my main concern is just make them more comfortable during summer as well as cut down on some of the flying hair inside the house.

 

[OKnewguy]

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that Oster 2 speed is THE way to go. They have an "old" feel, like great old time fans. They have replaceable brushes and you can get tons of different blade sets. Then you can get them sharpened. We have a mut that has fur like sheeps wool, and the normal pet groomer would go about 1/2 inch before they would bog down. With this baby, you can get the coarse clipper, which cut her hair like butter. Word of Caution, on the coarse blades, you can get a crease or an ear edge, so be very carefull. They are expensive, but they are so worth it!
Good luck
Dave

PetSmart - Oster A5 Clippers

 

[czechsonofagun]

I shear our airedale(s) about three or four times a year using Oster 5A. The important thing is to have blades professionally sharpened - but I am very happy with the shear. The result depends on my skill too much to be too happy with it, but thats not the shears fault

 

[texbaylea]

Just a note. Most AKC Confirmation Dog Shows of reasonable size (1000 dogs or more) will have a sharpener present who knows what that use needs. A good place to find where Dog Shows are would be a Superintendents web site. One such superintendent is at Welcome to Jack Onofrio Dog Shows.

Vernon

 

[jwnge]

I believe Oster is the best , we have had 2 to 5 dogs our whole married ''40 years'' life and most were groomed by Oster. My wife was a pro groomer and nothing compares to Oster. We have her first A5 from 30 plus years ago and a newer 2 speed. We also recently bought the small one, forgot the # but they are all great. You can sharpen them yourself by honing but they don't last as long as a pro sharpener, unless you want to spring for the $1500 Oster sharpener. Wahl is not even close, we have tried those also. good luck, John

 

[Bird]

Now I've never sheared a dog, so I didn't realize clippers got dull that fast. But I wonder what kind of maintenance is done/not done/required. All my own personal haircuts have been done for over 7 years (since 1/12/00) with Wahl clippers. At one time, I thought they might be getting a little dull and took the blades off only to find hair in there that had not been removed with their little brush and blowing them off just with my mouth. So now, every time they're used, I blow them out with the air-compressor, and after 7 years they still work just fine with no sharpening or replacement parts. I do apply a couple of drops of oil about every second time they're used.

 

[Richard]

I do apply a couple of drops of oil about every second time they're used.

Is that what gives you that slicked back cool look?

 

[KAB]

Check out these sites -
GroomerTALK and MobileGroomerTALK Community
Groomers BBS Look in the Pet Owners Sections
The Blade Guyz - Look at the clipper maintenance section - videos
Welcome to PetEdge - Professional Pet Products & Pet Supplies at Wholesale Prices - good prices for pet supplies

Before doing any trimming bathe the dogs.
Even a second time is helpful.
Dry the dog, completely.
Dirt and water will dull blades fairly quickly. (from what I can tell)

I use a car wash nozzle from lowes Car Wash Soap Nozzle
I partially fill the reservoir with Double K Industries - Grimeinator add some water mix well and apply. Rinse and repeat. If dry skin is an issue I have also used an Oatmeal based shampoo or conditioner.

I have the Wahl KM2 clippers. Keep them lubricated, cool, and clean. Andis and Luabe are other highly recommended clippers. I should note that there are different quality of clippers, the better clippers that will last and have power will cost in $100+ range. Don't concentrate on blade width as opposed to number of teeth. The first 2 websites can help you figure out which blade.

There are also shampoos that help to demat the fur, I have not used them but here there seem to work pretty good.

Good Luck

Kurt