Frequently Asked Questions

We are often asked about the best use and care of scissors and blades. We hope the following information below helps, but please contact us if you have any further questions or need to have your grooming tools serviced.

Scissors are the most personal tool a groomer owns, and it takes a little time for groomers to get used to the feel of each scissor they use. These tools require special care from storage at your place of business to protection during transportation to where they are serviced.

It is a good habit to replace the scissors in this sheath and blades into a case at the end of your workday after wiping your scissors and blades clean. Applying a light coat of petroleum based oil to the scissor blades and pivot screw, and a dab of oil to your blades will lessen wear and will prevent rust, giving you longer use of your tools.

Scissors:

Q: How many times a pair of scissors can be sharpened?

The answer depends on several factors:

1) Blade Thickness

2) Scissor Use

How dull scissors are allowed to be become between sharpening If the blades have nicks or chips Sharpening techniques used

1) Blade Thickness

Whenever a pair of scissors is sharpened, some of the metal from the blade is removed. There is no other way to sharpen scissors. Blade thickness is important because the thicker the blade, the more material that can be removed over time.

A thicker blade offers more stability at the scissor tip. As the scissor blade is ground down during sharpening, there is less metal near the tips of the blades, causing them to flex and "skip" over hair. There are three ways to correct this problem. One is to shorten the scissor blade to a point where they no longer flex and will cut through hair to the scissor tip. The second is to re-curve the blade so there is more pressure applied at the scissor tip. The third is to replace the pair of scissors.

2) Scissor Use

Take the time to adjust the tension properly or have it adjusted for you. Your scissor should open and close with little effort and feel smooth during the process. If your pivot screw is set too tight, there will be excessive wear on the inside of the blade and pivot area as well as extra stress on your scissoring hand. If your scissors are too loose, you exert side pressure on the blades to make them perform. By adding pressure to the inside of the blade, pushing the thumb guard of the scissor away from your wrist while pulling the finger guard towards your wrist, the inside edge of the pair of scissors is rounded off, requiring additional removal of metal to make the scissor work again. This reduces the working life of the tool.

Your scissor has a simple fulcrum and lever. The further your work is from the pivot screw, the more pressure is needed to make contact with the opposite scissor blade. Each scissor blade is curved to enable this pressure to be applied so you can cut through to the tip of the pair of scissors. Each manufacturer uses a varying amount of curve in their blades, depending upon the length of the pair of scissors and its style. When you hold your scissors up to the light, a gap should be visible between the blades when they are closed. There should be no gap between the scissor tips when they are closed.

Q: When To Sharpen

A pair of scissors is a very personal tool. What works for one person may not work for another. A good rule of thumb is to service your scissors when they start to feel like they are not cutting properly and are slower in giving you the results you want. The longer you use your scissors without having them serviced means that more metal may have to be removed to bring them back into working shape. We suggest retiring a pair of scissors that has had 1/4 of its blade depth ground away by sharpening, for this tool can no longer give you the service needed to perform your work efficiently.

Nicks, Pits and Chips

Those annoying little dings on the inside of your scissor blade can be a real problem. This may cause added damage to the blades if you continue to use a pair of scissors that has a nick. Each time the pair of scissors is opened and closed, it adds depth to the nick on both blades. The deeper the nick, the more metal must be removed to get to the clean steel below. The corresponding metal must then be taken from the opposite blade to insure the scissor remains balanced. Unfortunately, this extra metal removal shortens the life of the pair of scissors. Nicks should be dealt with as soon as possible.

Blades:

Q: How often should clipper blades be sharpened?

A: Clipper blades should generally be sharpened every 3 to 6 months, depending on usage. If you use them frequently—like in a professional grooming setting—you might need to sharpen them more often. For home use with less frequent clipping, you can stretch this timeline a bit longer. Key signs that your blades need sharpening include tugging, pulling, or uneven cuts.

Q: How can I tell if my clipper blades need sharpening?

A: There are a few indicators that your blades might be dull:

• Uneven Cutting: If you notice patches or unevenness in the hair cut.
• Pulling or Tugging: If the clipper is pulling at the hair rather than cutting smoothly.
• Dullness or Noise: If the blades seem less sharp, or you hear more noise than usual during operation.

Q: How many times can clipper blades be sharpened?

A: The number of times clipper blades can be sharpened depends on the quality of the blades and how well they are maintained. Typically, high-quality blades can be sharpened 5 to 10 times before they need to be replaced. However, excessive sharpening can eventually wear down the blades, so it’s important to monitor their performance and replace them when they no longer function effectively.

Q: What are some tips for extending the life of my clipper blades?

A: To prolong the life of your clipper blades:

• Clean Regularly: Remove hair and debris after each use.
• Oil Blades: Apply clipper oil before and after each use to keep blades lubricated and reduce friction.
• Avoid Overheating: Allow the clipper to cool down between uses to prevent overheating.
• Store Properly: Keep blades in a dry, clean place to avoid damage.

If you have any more specific questions or need advice tailored to your particular clipper model, feel free to ask!