Buying task · Clippers and blades
Clippers and blades
How clippers, detachable and 5-in-1 blades, blade numbers and guard combs fit together, which coats need clipping, and how to avoid clipper burn.
Short answer
Clippers are for coats that keep growing, such as Poodle and doodle coats, and for trims between groomer visits. They are not a shedding tool for double coats. Choose the blade system first, detachable (A5-style) or adjustable 5-in-1, because blades and guard combs only fit their own system. Keep blades clean and oiled, and check their heat often: a hot blade can burn skin.
What clippers and blades do
A clipper drives a blade back and forth. Andis defines SPM, strokes per minute, as how fast the blade moves.[1] The blade number sets the cut length, and higher numbers cut shorter. On Andis' chart:[2]
| Blade | Leaves about |
|---|---|
| #40 | 1/100 in (0.25 mm) |
| #30 | 1/50 in (0.5 mm) |
| #10 | 1/16 in (1.5 mm) |
| #7FC | 1/8 in (3.2 mm) |
| #5FC | 1/4 in (6.3 mm) |
| #4FC | 3/8 in (9.5 mm) |
Other brands' charts can differ slightly. A guard comb clips over a short blade to leave the hair longer. Wahl says its stainless guide combs must be used with a #10, #15 or #30 blade and work best on a #30.[3] The full chart is in dog clipper blade sizes explained.
Choosing a blade system
- Detachable (A5-style) blades snap on and off. Oster says its Turbo A5 takes all Oster A5 detachable blades, and Andis says its AGC2 works with its own blades and with Oster A-5 blades.[4][5] That documents fit for those models only, so treat "A5 compatible" in a listing as a claim until the blade maker names your clipper.
- Adjustable 5-in-1 blades click between several lengths on one blade. Andis' ProClip 5-in-1 has stops for #9, #10, #15, #30 and #40.[1] Wahl sells separate guide-comb sets for its detachable-blade and 5-in-1 clippers, so check which set your clipper takes.[3]
- Wide blades need matching wide combs.[2]
The trade-offs are in A5 vs 5-in-1 clipper blades. On power: a corded clipper never runs flat, and Andis specifies its US AGC2 at 120 V / 60 Hz with a 14 ft cord.[5] Cordless runtimes are maker claims, such as up to 2.5 hours for the ProClip and up to three hours for Wahl's Motiva2, which can also run corded.[1][6]
Which coats need clipping
- Curly coats that keep growing. AKC says a Poodle in full coat must be brushed and combed to the skin or it mats near the roots, and many owners keep a shorter trim with a professional groomer every four to six weeks.[7]
- Wire coats. AKC says clipping eventually softens a wire coat and changes its color and texture, while hand-stripping preserves it. Most pet Miniature Schnauzers are clipped by a professional every five to eight weeks.[8][9]
- Double coats. Do not shave them. AKC says shaving a double coat does not cool the dog and removes the insulation that protects it from overheating and sunburn.[10] Single-coated dogs that are clipped should keep at least an inch of hair, AKC advises.[11] More in should you shave a double-coated dog.
Close-clipped coats are slow to return. A veterinary dermatology handbook says hair clipped close usually regrows within three to four months, but some dogs take 12 to 24 months.[12]
Heat, burns and care
AKC's professional grooming standard tells groomers to introduce clippers slowly and to watch for clipper sensitivity and burns.[13] Blades warm up with use. Andis claims its ceramic cutter stays up to 75% cooler than steel; that is a maker claim, and a cooler blade can still get hot.[2] Groomers commonly check blade heat by touch; do it often, and swap or cool the blade when it feels warm.
Care matters as much as the blade. Wahl says to brush out hair after each use, oil across the teeth and at the heels, and run the clipper for a few seconds.[14] Andis says its cooling spray does not replace blade oil: oil before and after use, and whenever the blade feels warm or dry.[15] Step by step: how to clean and oil clipper blades.
How to choose
- Decide what you will clip. Paws and face only? A small paw or precision trimmer may be enough. Full-body trims on a curly coat need a full-size clipper.
- Choose the blade system, then check that the blades and guard combs you need are sold for it.
- Check the power. A corded clipper or charger must be rated for 120 V US outlets.[17] In Canada, Health Canada says to use only chargers with a CSA, cUL or cETL mark.[18]
- Budget for upkeep: blade oil, spare blades and guard combs.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- How to clean and oil clipper bladesPuts the makers' own cleaning, oiling and battery-care instructions in one place, so you can keep a clipper in working order between grooms.
- Why clipper blades get hotExplains why blades heat up and what the makers say to do about it, so you can keep a clipper session from turning into a burn.
Common questions
How often should I oil clipper blades?
Wahl and Oster say after each use. Andis adds a few drops before use too, and again during grooming if the blade starts to feel warm or dry. More in How to clean and oil clipper blades
Where do the oil drops go on a clipper blade?
Wahl's method is three drops across the top of the teeth, at the left, center and right, and one drop at the heel on each side. Then run the clipper for a few seconds to spread the oil. More in How to clean and oil clipper blades
Can I use coolant spray instead of blade oil?
No. Andis markets its Cool Care Plus spray as a coolant and lubricant but says it doesn't replace blade oil. More in How to clean and oil clipper blades
Do clipper blades need disinfecting?
Wahl's care guide says to disinfect daily and to store blades clean and dry. Use a product sold for clipper blades and follow its label. More in How to clean and oil clipper blades
How should I charge a cordless pet clipper?
Health Canada advises using the charger that came with the device, charging at room temperature where you can see it, not charging longer than recommended, and never using a swollen or dented battery. More in How to clean and oil clipper blades
How hot is too hot for a clipper blade?
No source we found sets a temperature limit; AKC's groomer standards warn about clipper burns but give no test. Treat any blade that feels warm on the inside of your wrist as too warm to keep using. More in Why clipper blades get hot
Does coolant spray replace clipper blade oil?
No. Andis says its Cool Care Plus spray doesn't replace blade oil; add a few drops of oil before and after use, and again if the blade starts to feel warm or dry. More in Why clipper blades get hot
Do ceramic clipper blades stay cool?
Andis says its ceramic cutter stays up to 75% cooler than steel. That is Andis' own claim, without a published test method, and cooler is not cold, so check a ceramic blade the same way as a steel one. More in Why clipper blades get hot
Questions
What length does a #10 clipper blade leave?
About 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) on Andis' blade chart. Higher numbers cut shorter: a #30 leaves about 1/50 inch (0.5 mm) and a #40 about 1/100 inch (0.25 mm). Other brands' charts can differ slightly.[2]
Will any A5 blade fit my clipper?
Only if the maker says so. Oster says its Turbo A5 takes all Oster A5 detachable blades, and Andis lists Oster A-5 blades for its AGC2, but that covers those models only. Check standard versus wide blades too.[4][5][2]
Can I use detachable-blade guard combs on a 5-in-1 clipper?
Not unless the comb maker lists your clipper. Wahl sells one guide-comb set for its detachable-blade clippers and another for its 5-in-1 clippers, and says its stainless combs must be used with a #10, #15 or #30 blade.[3]
Can clippers burn my dog?
Yes. AKC's grooming standard warns groomers about clipper sensitivity and burns. Ceramic blades are marketed as running cooler, but cooler does not mean they cannot get hot: check the blade often and stop when it feels warm.[13][2]
Should I clip my double-coated dog short for summer?
No. AKC says shaving a double coat does not cool the dog and removes the insulation that protects it from overheating and sunburn. AKC also notes that shaving does not stop shedding.[11][10][19]
Does a cooling spray replace blade oil?
No. Andis says its Cool Care Plus spray does not replace blade oil. Add a few drops of oil before and after use, and again whenever the blade starts to feel warm or dry.[15]