Types of blades

There are a variety of different types and shapes of blades used for clipping a wide variety of both hair coated (Cattle/Horses/Donkeys/Deer/Goats/Cats & Dogs) and fibre coated animals such as Alpacas Sheep and Angora goats.

Before clipping every effort should be made to ensure you are using the right blade for the particular clipping task you are undertaking.

• Horse blades
• Cattle blades
• Sheep blades (Cutter & Combs)
• Goat blades
• Dog blades
• Trimmer blades

Probably someone will think of a few others - but we are concerned with the main type!

Blades styles

Traditional type blades

Commonly used with most heavy duty and light duty machines they comprise of two separate items - the cutter and the comb. Some manufacturers refer in their literature to the “upper and lower plates” - same thing! (As a guide the comb is the bigger of the two.) The comb/lower plate is either set into two lugs as on (Hauptner/Wolseley) and a good few others, or slotted in and held tight by two fixing screws, as in the case of (Aesculap/Heiniger) The cutter/upper plate is the blade “driven” by motor (via a “crank head”) and usually requires to be fitted over a “drive” block.

Traditional type blades may require to be aliened in some cases and virtually all need to be first tensioned to clip smoothly. Re -tensioning can be necessary on more than on occasion during a single clipping operation.

“Snap on” type blades

A type typically used by professional Dog Groomers and beginning to be seen occasionally in horse and cattle clipping circles. Generally this type of blade is fitted to the smaller clippers - either mains or cordless.

When fitted with this type of blade the clipper head is at an angle roughly between 35 and 55 degrees angle to the body, which at first sight may appear odd but is soon discovered to be a very acceptable way to clip with many advantages over the traditional style head.

The blade set comprises of the lower plate/comb and the upper plate/cutter. The two parts of the blade are held in place by a tension spring, which will have been designed, to the correct tension at the factory. To ease the smooth running of the cutter the head of the spring is capped with a "nylon“ sleeve. The tension spring is fixed down to the bottom blade/comb by two screws, which you do not undo!

The principle advantage of “snap on” type blades are that they:

1. Do away with the need to screw on and alien the comb with the cutter
2. Remove the hassle of having to keep tensioning blades whilst clipping

"Snap-on" or Detachable type blades are not designed to be normally taken apart, nor is it recommended, as once unscrewed you end up with a collection of various "parts" which initially you may find a little bewildering when you attempt to re-assemble. Whilst it may be necessary to remove the cutter blade (see fig 5) so as to clean both blades and remove trapped hairs, it is not necessary to take the whole blade set apart!

However, should for whatever reason, you unscrew this type of blade or it comes apart, the following diagrams may prove useful in the re-assembly process.

Fig 1

Here you can see there are two sizes of detachable blades, the wide blade - the type regularly fitted to clippers used for full body horse clipping and the narrow blade - the traditional style of blade used for cat and dog grooming as well as a number of veterinary tasks. The blades are featured showing both blade sides - the cutting face, and the side of the blade, which snaps shut against the blade drive lever of the clipper.

Fig 2

The component parts which make up the assembled blade!

Take the blade apart and these are all the bits, which you have to re-assemble, in order to get it all back together again. Note especially the nylon sleeve, this is important, as you will see in subsequent diagrams. The component parts are arranged in the order you would re-assemble.

Fig 3

Shows in closer detail the nylon sleeve and how it should be fitted on to the metal bar of the spring. You will find it "slips" over the metal to fit snugly. Also note the "latch assembly" fitted on to the spring with the screw holes aligned and in position for the fitting of the screws when the comb blade is in position

Fig 4

The "spring" and "latch assembly" have been screwed in position on the "comb blade". Having done this it is important to make sure before you finally tighten the screws that the edge of the spring (including the nylon sleeve which should be fitted in position) is parallel and of equal distance for the whole of its length with the "recessed" edge of the comb. (just in front of the tooth row).

Fig 5

Lastly, you need to insert the cutter blade with the "groove" sliding under the "nylon sleeve". In order to effect this it is best to gently raise the "spring" by inserting a small screwdriver between the comb blade surface and the "nylon sleeve" and slightly raise upwards, sufficiently to allow the cutter blade to slide under and into a central position.

You should now have successfully re-assembled the "detachable blade" and it is now ready to be fitted to the clipper. With most clippers using this type of blades, they are best fitted with motor running, if you have a speed choice select the slower speed. Apply oil to the blade before fitting on to the clipper and running.

Trimmer type blades

The majority of trimmer blades follow the same procedure as “traditional blades” as described above. However some of the new models are adopting the “snap on” style as with the (Wahl Pro Series.)

Other types of blade sets

There are a few odd types of blades, which are found in use on several older type trimmers such as the Oster “top liner”

Some are of a type where the bottom blade is molded to plastic and other are held in position by a wire spring not too dissimilar to the concept of a washing peg! Avoid taking apart if at all possible, as they are difficult to put back again if you are inexperienced.

Blades, which are molded to a plastic casing usually, cannot be re sharpened.

PEASRIDGE

Repair & service all makes of clippers and trimmers
and professionally sharpen all types of blades

Tel: 01424 882900 or E-mail info@peasridge.co.uk

Whilst every care has been take to ensure the accuracy of the information given both in the written text and pictures created, neither PEASRIDGE nor any of its staff can accept any responsibly of any type for injury or damage inflicted by or caused to persons or animals by any operator or a third party who has made reference to this web site. Owner/Operators of all such appliance should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any statements made, and if they are unsure on any point consult the manufacturer direct.