MAINS POWERED MACHINES

Heavy Duty

Aesculap/Oster/Laube503/513/KM1/MoserMax45/Andis/Thrive

These clippers are used in large numbers in grooming parlour were they are required for prolonged use and need to have the ability to cope with a wide variety of coat textures. To this end they need a good range of suitable blades.

The most popular are top of the range – both price and quality the Aesculap – pricey blades put many off! Never the less a cracking machine - the sort of “Mercedes” of the dog clippers, engineered to German perfection!

Oster/KM1/MoserMax45/Andis are the market makers. Oster once highly popular and ruled supreme in dog grooming circles. Given to “overheating” when asked to do a hard days work! Still around in large numbers but needs to watch some of the competition!

Laube 503 two speed model is an innovative designed clipper from the US of A, cool running and really quiet. The two clipping speeds are useful for certain styles of dog clipping. Laube Clippers have had a few silly and unnecessary problems which should have been sorted back at base long before they ever reached the UK! (please take note Mr Wahl!) Laube is now part of the Wahl organization - so we expect thing to be done properly from now on Laube 513 is a vari speed version of the 503 - the same beast except instead of two switches you get a knob for the extra price and can as you may have guessed – vary the speed! One gaining in popularity is the Laube Mini Micro slim as a broom handle (nearly) and very effective. Making a name for itself north of the border we are told. Handles well, nicely balanced and up to the job power wise.

The KM1 is German made and is a good workhorse, which will toil away all day keeping beautifully cool. Great machine as one would expect from the German - makes of some of the best clipper and trimmers and a good few other products! This little clipper takes on the world and come out smelling of roses every time. Has fast become a popular clipper in many a parlour. The MoserMax45 - the more powerful version of the KM1 is new to the UK clipping arena but should be a good ‘un based on past experience with Moser products. Mr Moser England expects! Andis - always had a following - interesting to see the new two speed up against the MoserMax45 two speed – at this stage we wait to see!

Thrive never really got to grips with Dog Groomers, a few got about, but it never set “the world a light” Looked a bit like the Oster in many ways.

Professional bodies such as the Military and Police, Dog Kennels, and breeders of certain clipped breeds use these type of machines to keep their dogs in top coat condition. Veterinary practices find this type of clipper preferable for a lot of work they have to perform both in and out of surgery.

Generally these machines all accommodate the “snap on” type blades which are usually interchangeable within the various clipper models. A full range of sizes of “attachment” combs are available, which can be fixed to the blade allowing for an extra depth of coat to be left when clipping. For the best results dogs should be bathed, shampooed and thoroughly dried - preferably with a blower - before any clipping is started.

Light Duty

Such machines are more commonly used for domestic dog trimming within the “family pet” concept. These clippers are generally used with “traditional” styles blades – an upper and lower blade which require aliening” Blade choice and selection for various breeds is generally limited with such machines – most only offering two blades “standard or fine”.

The exception is the Wahl Multi Pet Clipper, which sports several different blades. A standard blade 30/15/10 which it is supplied with (this offers by way of the adjustable blade lever “fine-standard–course” cuts in the one blade. Then obtainable to purchase as extras are

Coarse blade (code: 1038)

Surgical blade (code: 1026)

Paw blade (code: 1032)

A blade lever at the side allows for increasing/decreasing” the depth of cut as desired. Combs are often supplied with the clippers, which can be attached to the blade allowing for extra depth of coat to be left.

NB. Certain breed (Spaniel/Poodles + others) depending on the finished style, may require to be clipped in such a way as to need certain sized blades which are only available to the heavy duty clipper range

CORDLESS BATTERY POWERED MACHINES

Professional duty

Not so many contenders in this field. The serious market makers are Oster Pro Cord and Laube 505 & 515. Thrive introduced one a few year ago called the 800AD. Funny thing the German’s who make some of the best clipper in the world never trod to deeply in this water! Is there a message!

Used either in the grooming parlour, by mobile dog groomers or by many Veterinary practices some machine are able to offer continuous clipping with the use of two supplied batteries (Oster Pro Cord). Clipping periods of three hours at standard speed with just over one hour at the fast speed (Laube 505 & 515) either in “two speed” mode or “vari-speed.” Most models accommodate “snap on” type blades which are usually interchangeable within the various machine models.

TRIMMERS

Battery/mains powered Machines

Domestic pet use

A wide range of models exist ranging from the top end of the market (Moser D9 cordless with two batteries for continuous clipping. A nice machine, produces a super cut (especially on cattle heads!) Moser D5 with adjustable blade has a clip time of 30/40 mins. Both are slightly limited on blade scope, suggesting they have been clone off the human hair market.

The Wahl ProSeries/Lister Meteor are the middle market makers. The Wahl ProSeries - a cordless and/or mains trimmer, offers really good value for price and is, to our mind currently the best buy in this category on an all round basis of “value-quality-blade range and attachment. It offers a really fine blade range and fulfils many roles both for cattle/horses owners, vets, and dog owner as well as many smaller pet owners.

The Moser Rex is a main trimmer with low noise level, which has stood the test of time (some 20 years or more) and still sells by the hundreds especially to the horse folk for head and legs. (We still meet a few who do a “full body” horse job with a Rex – amazing - but true!) A blade lever at the side allows for “increasing/decreasing” the depth of cut as desired. Combs are often supplied with the clipper, which can be attached to the blade allowing for extra depth of coat to be left. On the down side – only two blade types available.

Lastly to some of the nifty little jobs (Wahl Horse/Dog/Pet Trimmer or the Pocket Pro) both designed for “skinning” your ferret or to clip out your bunny for summer nudity! Some of these machines are ideal for pet’s paws, delicate ears, head or facial work. Not really suited to larger domestic pets where serious clipping is required. In most cases power is supplied from the use of either one or three dry batteries depending on the make/model. Usually these trimmers support “traditional” style blades as discussed above.

There are several other trimmers not mentioned, but the ones highlighted above are the main market players used by both professionals and domestic user alike.

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.