The Ultimate Guide to Clipper Blades: Everything You Need to Know

Everything There Is to Know About Your Clipper Blades

For individuals who are enthusiastic about animal grooming, barbering, or DIY haircuts, selecting the suitable clipper blade is of utmost importance. This decision can significantly impact the outcome of your styling efforts, and prevent unsatisfactory results for either yourself or your clients. However, with an extensive selection of clipper blades available in the market, choosing the appropriate one for a specific task can pose a challenge. Thankfully, we provide an ultimate guide to assist you in making informed decisions, enabling you to achieve exceptional outcomes in your clipper blade selection process.

Types of Clipper Blades

Let's dive into the world of clipper blades, where we have two primary types: detachable and adjustable, each with their own unique features. Detachable blades are easy to swap in and out, providing flexibility in choosing a specific blade to achieve a desired hair length without using additional hair guards or combs. Plus, detachable blades are universal across brands, so it's easy to compare different models. This makes them a popular choice among professional animal groomers and barbers who need to change blades quickly and consistently. They come in various sizes and styles to accommodate different hair lengths.

Adjustable blades, on the other hand, have a lever attached that allows you to modify the blade's size for a customized hair length. They're a great choice for at-home users and barbers, as they offer the versatility of using a single blade for different hair lengths without needing to purchase multiple individual blades. For even greater length options, you can use clipper blade guards/combs that snap onto the top of the blade. These guards/combs are often made of plastic and are a convenient accessory, especially for at-home users. However, professionals may find them more challenging to maintain over an extended period, and there's a higher risk of improperly installing them and causing damage to the blade. Clipper blade guards/combs are also available for detachable style blades, but we recommend using them with a #30 blade for the most consistent results.

As you can see, each blade type has its own pros and cons. We suggest trying out both and sticking with the one that works best for you. Ultimately, time is money, and having the right blade that offers efficiency and consistent cuts is critical for professionals. For those looking to groom their own animals, there's plenty of helpful information online to determine which blade number to use for a particular coat and style.

Blade Materials

Clipper blades can be crafted from various materials, each with its unique merits and demerits. For now, we'll concentrate on the two commonly encountered clipper blade materials by average users: steel and ceramic. Both materials are utilized in producing clipper blades and possess their respective advantages and disadvantages. Let's narrow down to what's essential to know for everyday use.

Steel blades are a versatile clipper blade that you'll likely find in your toolkit. It can handle almost any condition, but it's equally susceptible to wear and tear like ceramic blades. However, ceramic is a stronger material than steel, but it's more prone to damage because it's brittle, especially the blade's teeth. Therefore, you should avoid using ceramic blades in the same conditions as steel blades. Ideally, use a ceramic blade on a clean coat since hair contains dander, cleaning products, skin, etc., which ultimately causes blades to lose their edge faster. Ceramic is a robust but delicate material, so using it consistently to cut dirty hair poses a risk of damaging the blade. Blade maintenance plays a crucial role regardless of which material of blade you decide to use. If you take care of your equipment and keep your blades consistently oiled, you should be able to learn to use both blades effectively and for you and your clients benefit.

Blade Maintenance

Keeping your clipper blades in good condition is essential, and there are some useful tips to help you achieve this:

Regularly cleaning your blades is key to maintaining their sharpness. It's not the hair itself that dulls the blades, but rather the build-up that accumulates within the hair. By keeping your clipper blades free of debris, you'll have a smoother running surface that reduces resistance and extends the lifespan of your blades.

One of the best ways to keep your equipment in top shape is to oil your blades regularly. This simple step can save you a lot of money in the long run. Clipper blade sharpening can be costly, and buying new equipment can be even more expensive. By oiling your blades, you'll reduce the frequency of both, saving you money and time. Always keep in mind that cooling spray is not a replacement for blade oil.

When your blades become dull, it's important to sharpen them promptly to ensure a clean cut. Continuing to use dull blades can cause more damage, leading to additional expenses. We understand that sharpening your blades a few times a year may feel like an added responsibility, but it's ultimately in your best interest. Keeping your blades sharp is safer, saves time, and puts more money back in your pocket on an annual basis.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, selecting the right clipper blades for your hairstyling needs is crucial for achieving the desired results. Detachable or adjustable blades, as well as carbon steel or ceramic ones, offer different advantages depending on your preferences. However, the most important aspect is to take proper care of your blades to maximize their lifespan and performance. Regular cleaning and oiling, as well as proper storage, can make all the difference in the longevity and effectiveness of your essential hairstyling tool. So, invest in high-quality blades, choose wisely based on your needs, and take care of them properly to achieve the best results every time you use them.