Peasridge, the home of animal grooming and electric clipping - your UK grooming mail order specialist


	A BUYER’S GUIDE TO OBTAINING A SUITABLE CLIPPER


	Clipping an animal is both an art and a skill! With professional instruction most people can achieve this craft. Understanding the mechanics of the clipper, how to tension the blades to give peak performance, knowing the various blades and how each will perform on varying coat textures is all part of the learning curve! As with any skill there is a "learning curve." Practice makes Perfect! This section of "Clipper Advice" is devoted to trying to simplify the confusion, which often arises when attempting to select one of the many types of animal clippers available with a possible view to purchase. To those contemplating the "first time" purchase of a clipping machine, it will hopefully give guidance and advice, which will aid direction towards the correct selection. With the exception of a few, PEASRIDGE stock virtually all the clippers and trimmers available. (The "few" are usually - although not always - the ones we don't rate!) We have first hand experience of most. We understand the frustration (from personal experience), which arises when a machine fails to perform correctly - especially when in the middle of clipping a difficult animal. However, if one blames the machine without questioning why the situation has arisen then one may never find the answer to the problem. Until a positive cause has been established an "open mind" should always prevail! After all it just might be you and not the clipper, which is at fault! Hopefully this information will help to enlighten and improve your clipping experience! If you have found this so, please tell your "clipping" friends - they may well find it useful also! There are many types of "clipping" machines, ranging from a few pounds up to several hundred pounds. The object should be to buy once! Always seek a clipper, which will adequately meet your needs. Whilst the cost is an important consideration, don't let it control your final decision. Far better to purchase the right machine even if it exceeds your planned expenditure, rather than end up with something inferior which at the end of the day you ditch in order to get the better model! A "cheap" clipper is invariably what it is - "cheap and usually ineffective." One would also suggest caution regarding second hand machines, some are fine, but you always need to be cautious of the one which is not! Be also aware of the "discontinued model!" Now days many clippers can be found on offer on several of the Internet auction houses. Before becoming elated by the opportunity to secure a machine at a "bargain" price one might dwell a moment on the question "is this truly a bargain" Each year one receives "cries of help" from an increasing number of unhappy purchasers. The backup of a reputable retailer can be valuable in times of trouble!



	WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A LIVESTOCK CLIPPER (Cattle/Horses)


	As a simple, but brief guide if you have a herd of cattle (beef or dairy) or clip a number of various horses of different breeds, or are a clipping contractor you really need a "heavy duty" machine.

1. BLADE TENSIONING
The one single factor which can cause problems for the end user is "tensioning" the blades. In reality it is very simple, but in practice it may cause considerable problems with some operators. Read the manufacturers instructions, which are a good general guide, but be mindful every animal has a different coat texture and you often have to "tweak" the tension adjustment several times during the clip. Some machines have locking nuts, which secure the tensioning once you have set it to the correct tension. Practice the tensioning frequently. Practice makes perfect!

2. BLADES
A vital part of any clipper - these do the work! Always check the blade range available. The more blade types available, the more versatile the machine! Blade prices will vary according to the manufacturer. A key factor to clipping is the quality of the blade sharpening. Different blades can leave more or less hair depth, and the number of teeth on both the cutter and comb blades can be an important factor for certain coat conditions.

3. OILING POINTS
In order to maintaining the optimum performance of the blades and their cutting edge it is vital that regular and frequent oiling is given to all areas as indicated in the manufacturers manual. Blades, which are metal, tightly pressed together under tension and moving at several thousand strokes per minute, will quickly overheat if not frequently lubricated. Overheating leads to the "dulling" of the blade edge and may cause damage to the machine. Oiling of the drive block should also be frequently undertaken on certain clippers.

10. CLIPPER HEAD
Ideally lightweight, and of a slim shape. Some machines can have rather bulky and cumbersome heads, which may prove awkward to operate in confined areas. Often such heads give the impression of an "unbalanced" feel. The design of the cutter blade drive mechanism may vary according to the manufacturer. Easy access to the "drive block" if fitted is valuable. Most "heavy duty machines will accept an interchangeable head unit for the purposes of sheep shearing. Light duty clippers however normally cannot be fitted with a sheep head.

9. BATTERY PACK UNITS
There are two forms of batteries; the type that which connects to the rear of the handpiece, the other a separate type battery normally worn on your waist belt. Clip times and re-charge times are important factors, one hour is usually not enough for a full body clip. Battery care when not in use or during storage is important to prolong the working life. Replacement and second batteries can be expensive.

8. ON/OFF SWITCH
Instant accessibility to the on/off switch, without having to take either your eye off the animal or change over hands can be of the up most importance in a moment of crisis. Ideally all on/off switches should be centrally positioned and in easy reach of the thumb of the hand holding the machine.

7. AIR FILTERS
An important part of the in take of air to both cool the motor and in some machines to provide a cooling effect on the blades. Air filters, of which there are often two per machine, need to be cleaned regularly as they are given to becoming blocked with hair during the clipping process. A useful tool for cleaning away blocking hair and dirt is a stiff toothbrush. Air filters should be cleaned on both sides. Failure to keep the filters clean can lead to overheating of the motor.

6. IDENTIFICATION PLATE
This gives information about the wattage rating of the machine, the correct running voltage, and details of the various electrical standards to which the machine has been tested. Usually the serial number of the machine is stamped on the plate.

4. THE HANDPIECE
Ideally slim, not too long and lightweight. Clipping most horses takes at the least an hour during which few operators want to be holding a bulky heavy machine. The handpiece should be well balanced and comfortable to hold with easy access to the on/off switch. Many cordless machines can feel unbalanced and heavy as a result of the battery accommodated in the rear of the handpiece. Check the positions of any air vents - these can sometimes blast hair clippings all over you! Many machines may have a re-set switch at the rear.

5. RE-SET BUTTON
Most good quality clippers have an overload switch or re-set button which will cause the clipper to switch off in the event of an electrical fault. As a "sensitive" feature it can be "tripped" out by power surges in the same way as the househol

	Owners of a few horses or small herds of cattle should consider a "light duty" machine. For very nervous horses, or those which hate clippers, you can often perform "miracles" using one of several of the machines found in the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" (Moser Max 45 especially good!) section. However it should always be borne in mind that when using what is essentially a dog groomers machine, the use of the professional mains or cordless dog clippers, on horses requires a different approach to that which may be adopted when using the more traditional heavy or light duty machines intended for large animals. The reasons are two fold. First, most dog clippers will be of a lesser power output, and more important will be the effectiveness of the blade to cope with a wide range of hair textures found on horses. Another contributing factor will be the build up of grease and dirt associated especially with horse coats. Of the wide blades commonly used for clipping horses, the most effective appear to be either the Moser wide#10 - 2.3mm steel blade or the Moser wide#10 - 2.3mm CeraBlade - a ceramic coated version of the steel blade which is said to have a more superior performance. These blades seem to perform well on a number of differing horse coats, with only a few cobs and several native breeds, especially the Shetland, being the exceptions. Commercial cattle being cleaned up for slaughter or husbandry purposes, such as winter housing are often best clipped out with a sheep-shearing machine using a cutter and comb. These blades are totally different to traditional horse/cattle blades and will not fit such machines. The Lister "Laser" (heavy-duty machine) is the exception; it can be used for sheep as well as horse/cattle using the same blade. This blade is known as a "wizard" blade.


	WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A DOG OR SMALL ANIMAL CLIPPER

1. CLIPPER HEAD
Ideally lightweight, and of a slim shape. Most clippers intended for dog or small animal clipping have a slightly angled head (usually about 30 degrees) The design of the cutter blade drive mechanism may vary according to the manufacturer although most machines have a drive blade lever which moves at speed from right to left. Professional dog clippers have blade hinge assembly or blade "tongue" on to which a "detachable" blade is fixed, before being snapped back against the clipper head to close in readiness for use. Regular cleaning is important as a build up of hair can soon occur.

2. THE HANDPIECE
Ideally slim, not too long and lightweight and comfortable to hold and work with. Professional groomers may spend many hours per week clipping cats and dogs and few want to be holding a bulky or heavy machine. The handpiece should be well balanced and comfortable to hold with easy access to the on/off switch. Many cordless machines can feel unbalanced and heavy as a result of the battery being accommodated in the rear of the handpiece. Some machines can be operated at different cutting speeds

3. BLADES
A vital part of any clipper - these do the work! Always check the blade range available. The more blade types available, the more versatile the machine! Blade prices may vary according to the manufacturer. A key factor to clipping is the quality of the blade sharpening. Different blades can leave more or less hair depth, and the number of teeth on both the cutter and comb blades can be an important factor for certain coat types and conditions.

8. AIR FILTERS
Not all small animal clippers are fitted with air filters, however a few of the German made machines do fit them and they have an important role allowing an in flow of air to both cool the motor and in some machines may provide a cooling effect on the blades. Air filters need to be cleaned regularly as they are given to becoming blocked with hair during the clipping process. A useful tool for cleaning away blocking hair and dirt is a stiff toothbrush. Failure to keep the filters clean can lead to overheating of the motor.

4. OILING POINTS
In order to maintaining the optimum performance of the blades and their cutting edge it is vital that regular and frequent oiling is given to all areas as indicated in the manufacturers manual. Blades, which are metal, tightly pressed together under tension and moving at several thousand strokes per minute, will quickly overheat if not frequently lubricated. Overheating leads to the "dulling" of the blade edge and may cause damage to the machine.

7. ON/OFF SWITCH
Instant accessibility to the on/off switch, without having to take either your eye off the animal or change over hands can be of the up most importance in a moment of crisis. Ideally all on/off switches should be centrally positioned and in easy reach of the thumb of the hand holding the machine.

6. IDENTIFICATION PLATE
Usually found on the underside of the machine, this gives information about the wattage rating of the machine, the correct running voltage, and details of the various electrical standards to which the machine has been tested. Serial numbers are not normally given.

5. BATTERY PACK UNITS
There are two forms of batteries - the type that which connects to the rear of the handpiece, the other a separate type battery normally worn on your waist belt. Clip times and re-charge times are important factors. Battery care when not in use or during storage is important to prolong the working life. Replacement and second batteries can be expensive. Some dog clippers when fitted with a wide blade can be used on horses; in such situations battery clip time is important.

Those involved in the business of dog grooming need a "professional mains or cordless dog clipper" You need the type of machine which accepts the A5 type "detachable" blade range, so that you can cope with every breed.

Pet owners with dog or cat breeds, which require a fair degree of clipping (Terriers/Spaniels/Poodles/Persian cats) should ensure that they buy clippers which are at least "semi-professional" or if you have several dogs/cats go for a "professional machine." These machine use the "detachable" type blades which are most important for the job in hand. You won't regret it!

Pet clippers are invariably a poor choice, despite the appearance of an attractive price, and a number of images on the packaging suggesting the clipper can cope with larger animals, which is often found not to be the case.

Persian cats and a number of longhaired cats are prone to matts (nasty balls of matted fur), which as a rule can only be removed by clipping. The use of a comb or type of de-matt tool can be painful to the cat, which is less than likely to enjoy repeat sessions! To effectively remove matts you will often need a size #40 blade - surgical. (Preferably of the detachable type)

If you have a family pet dog or hairy cat, which just requires to be generally cleaned up in small areas, but no serious clipping, then the "Pet clipper type machine" is a reasonable choice. However longhair/fur may defeat these machines and their blades. For those with rabbits and other hair coated pets again, unless it is very small areas and just superficial tidying up these machines may not live up to expectations.

In the case of sheep you need to forget all about cattle/horse machines. You need a proper "sheep shearing machine" These clippers have a different "clipper head" design and use different types of blades, which are also sharpened in a different way to cattle/horse/dog. Most heavy duty clippers however can be fitted with a sheep head (usually a simple - few minutes operation) thereby extending their operational range.

Those with show sheep who want to do show facial tidying up and cleaning legs, should look at the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" You will invariably need a size#40 detachable blade for this type of work. Whilst not recommended, some of the Rare Breeds of Sheep can be successfully clipped or dagged with some of the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" Choice of blade is very important! Seek advice before you go further!

If you are a Veterinary Surgeon you should consider "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" certainly for mobile or surgery work, which involves large animals, or dog clipping. Vets requiring a clipper for small animal work either surgery or mobile might consider some of the "cordless trimmers" (Wahl Pro Series is a good choice)

Owners of just a few Alpaca, Lamas, or Camels can find excellent machines within the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" sector at reasonable prices. Moser 2.3mm wide blades seem to cope well with the dense fibres, but always have a spare blade to hand. Those with larger studs (6 animals and upwards) should seriously consider one of the "sheep shearing machines." (Premier 3000s being a good choice for both male and female end users,) In situations involving clipping in desert conditions, a 12-volt machine especially if you do not have access to a generator is the preferred choice. One manufacturer produces special "Camelid" blades for such breeds. Those wishing to leave a greater depth to protect against cold weather should consider using a "Comb Lifter" attachment with the blade.

Special blades are also available for breeds of sheep, other specialist blades are available for breeds such as Merino, or for Mohair clipping, and for the clipping of Angora and other goat breeds. If you want to leave added length of wool for "winter shearing" you can fit a "Comb Lifter" under most comb blades and this has the effect of increasing the distance between the cutting edge of the blade and the animal skin.

Small numbers of Angora Goats can be clipped using machines from within the "professional mains or cordless dog clippers" range with selected blades. Good choice is the Aesculap Favourita II fitted with a GT 746 blade.

Lastly several of the "Heavy-duty" machines are suitable for light industrial purposes, such as Carpet repairs and renovations, Clothing modifications, and Broom length trimming. Invariably the blades used will need to be modified to make the operation successful. You will need to consult with us on both the types of blade and the modifications necessary.


	VARIOUS TYPES OF CLIPPERS & THEIR USES.


	Clippers & Trimmers - mains, 12v or cordless. In the beginning it helps to appreciate the difference between a “clipper” and a “trimmer”. A clipper clips! A trimmer trims! (See Fig. 1 & 1a) In the case of the clipper, there are "heavy duty" and "light duty" clippers. Most are electrically mains powered, some battery operated, and a few can be operated from a 12-volt system. One used to go some way to determine the difference between heavy and light duty machines by the "wattage" (the amount of electrical current passing through the motor.) Heavy-duty clippers had a wattage rating of usually 150 watts and upwards, where as light duty appliances started from 45watts and progressed to around 120 watts. Today with the appearance of the "new generation" motors wattage is not always such a reliable indicator (for example the Hauptner 2000 if often quoted as 50 watts, yet is clearly a heavy duty clipper.) Most heavy-duty machines boast wattage ratings of 300 and more. Another way to gauge a clippers performance is to note the number of "cutting" strokes. The cutting stroke is the times the "cutter" (upper) blade passes across the stationary comb (lower blade) Many of the two speed machines dog clippers operate at the faster speed at up to 6000 cutting strokes per minute. (Some can go beyond this rate) Average ratings for many traditional large animal clipper range from 2400/3600 spm. Cordless machines are usually more expensive than mains clippers, and whilst often more convenient, they are not always as powerful. Generally one recommends using mains powered machines unless your needs positively dictate going cordless. Cordless machines are available both in large (cattle and horses) and small sizes (dogs cats and domestic pets.) Many of the traditional sized cordless machines have a "clip time" of around one hour before a re-charge is need. This can be a "bit tight" when doing a full body clip say on a horse! Several of the newer and smaller clippers have improved battery times - up to as much as 3 hours. The smaller dry battery powered trimmers are used for the lightest of trimming tasks on heads, faces and legs.


	Heavy Duty - mains powered


	Aesculap Econom Plus German - great quality clipper! Ideal for those who clip horses for a living. A “contractors” machine as well as for the individual end user. Perfect for the dairy/exhibitor. Excellent blade range. Hauptner 2000 German - a fine machine! Light, nice slim handpiece, power combined with low noise level - Ideal for lady users - built for the "smaller" hand. Tensioning seems to trip up a few however, it can be very fine, and frustrating when to correct. Produces a nice clip when correctly tensioned. Heiniger Delta Swiss - the only three-speed machine! Very well engineered, touch heavy. An awesome clipper ideal for a wide range of clipping tasks. Excellent blade range. Liscop 1300-2-TD German made machine, very well engineered to reliable performance. The powerful motor producing 30,000 rpm when not under load gives produces smooth low-level sound A sheep head (optional extra) can be fitted with ease within a few minutes, giving the machine extra versatility. Liscop 3000 German - good solid commercial machine. Robust and built to last! A touch loud and a bit on the bulky side, but nicely engineered. Could do with upgrading and becoming more user friendly. Lister Laser English - well engineered, been around for a few years and stood the test of time. Against more modern machines it is noisy, heavy and bulky. Due for an upgrade and reduction in noise and weight! Premier 3000c Made in Germany and modelled on the outstanding Hauptner 2000 but with a number of improvements. Whilst appearing almost identical to the Hauptner 2000 there are important differences, in weight, noise level and power. An important feature of this machine is its ability to use Lister blades, in addition to its own range. A great machine for ladies, light and slim and produces a great finish on horses and cattle. Stewart Oster American - nice clipper and well engineered but rather an awesome size. Good blade range. Wolseley Falcon English - well engineered, solid and reliable, and has stood the test of time. Against its more modern peers it comes across as rather noisy and bit bulky. Due for an up grade! Wolseley Harrier English - Reliable and well engineered but rather like its stable mate the Falcon - bit long in the tooth! Heavy-duty clippers are intended for use on large numbers of animals - usually cattle (dairy or beef) herds or large horse yards and stables. (See Fig. 2) One exception is the Premier 3000c, which has considerable appeal to all due to the unique design of the hand piece. This machine has captured a large section of the light duty horse market due to it popularity with lady operators.


	VARIOUS TYPES OF BLADES FOR HEAVY & LIGHT DUTY CLIPPERS


	Blades for both the heavy-duty and light-duty clippers comprise of an upper and lower plate and require to be sharpened as a pair. (See Fig. 3) The upper plate (cutter) is usually "seated" on the head, the lower plate (comb) secured with screws or a tension bolt. Almost all such machines require the blades to be "tensioned" in order to cut correctly. Tensioning blades results in applying the correct degree of pressure to both the upper and lower plates (cutter and comb) this causing the two to cut correctly. With some machines (especially sheep shearing machines) the lower blade (comb) is fixed to the clipper head with two screws. The exact position relating to the alignment of the comb blade with the cutter blade is crucial. Then pressure is applied to the cutter, using the tension knob, screwing/pushing it down on to the comb. Tensioning is critical to the cutting performance! Far to often when clippers (meaning blades!) are said not to cut it is tensioning which is at fault and not the blades! Tensioning is not difficult! However if you only clip occasionally you will need to put in plenty of practice to gain perfection. Tensioning the blade is achieved by twisting the "tension nut/knob by a certain number of turns as per your clipper instructions. (See Fig 4.) Frankly, if you listen to the motor of most clippers as you turn the tension nut it will give you a pretty good idea when the blades are under the correct pressure. Like most things it comes with experience, the more you clip the better you get at it! Remember to oil blades - often! Regular oiling is very important! Failure to do so affects the clipping! Blades are important - after all they do the cutting! One should learn the various types of blades that fit individual machines and the differences between the "cuts" of the various blades. Most of the heavy-duty machines can be fitted with a sheep head for the purposes of shearing sheep. However to shear sheep you will need special blades. (See Fig. 5) These are different to cattle/horse/dog blades in that they have fewer teeth and as such are more" open" spaced. Sheep heads can also be used for shearing Alpacas and Lamas for which there are specially designed blades, as well as being a popular method of clipping out winter housed cattle. Blades as used with cattle/horse machines are not suitable for sheep and should therefore not be used!


	Light duty - mains powered


	Heiniger Handy Swiss - exceptionally well engineered. A popular machine with many “single” horse owners. Very good selection of blades available. Liscop Equi-clip 1400 German - well engineered and smooth running. The clipper head looks a bit like a sheep-shearing machine, which can put a lot of folk off. Forget the looks this is a nice clipper! Lister Neon English made - lightweight therefore popular, but rather noisy! Rather a "plastic" feel about it" Wahl/Moser "Artiko" German made and created from a highly successful mains powered dog clipper this machine with the "improved" blade technology, has proved highly successful on many horse breeds and is often the difference between clippings or not on many a nervous animal. With a very low and acceptable noise level it is almost vibration free. Wahl/Moser Max 45 German - Small, lightweight 2 speed and with a powerful 45watt motor. Detachable blades so there are no tensioning problems. Another good choice if you have a nervous horse and want a full body clipper. Limitation on wide blades as above although the two Moser wide blades are the best yet made. Wahl/Laube 503 American - Innovative design, lightweight, 2 speeds. Uses detachable blades so there are no tensioning problems. Another good choice if you have a nervous (horse) animal. Currently a limitation on wide blades. Wahl/Laube 513 American - as 503 model but variable speed, uses detachable blades so there are no tensioning problems. Another good choice for a nervous animal. Currently a limitation on wide blades. Wolseley Swift English - well engineered. Off the list now but you may find a few still around. Compact and easy to handle. Light duty machines (See Fig. 6) are best suited for individual horse owners with say up to 3 animals, small dairy or show cattle herds. Such clippers are intended for lighter work and usually have a lower wattage compared to the heavy-duty appliances. Blades are supplied in the form of an upper and lower plate and are inter-changeable with heavy-duty machines. They need to be sharpened as a pair. Blades are fitted in the same way as on the heavy-duty clippers. Almost all machines require the blades to be "tensioned" in order to cut correctly. Regular oiling is also very important! N.B. Light duty machines are not suitable for the fitting of a sheep shearing head.


	Cordless professional clippers - cattle, horses and dogs (See Fig. 7)


	A variety of battery powered traditional sized cordless machines are available with most offering an average clip time of one hour. Supplied with a charger they usually re-charge within an hour. Most are bulky, rather long in the handpiece, and noisy. In recent years new and smaller machine have appeared, and are proving very successful. For innovation, slim and lightweight design, plus low noise level the Moser "Avalon" has fast become one of the most popular with many lady users, and is way ahead of many other clippers of its type especially with its use of the Moser ceramic coated wide 2.3mm CeraBlade. With a clip time of two and a half hours on a single charge and a competitive price it has many reason to be a first choice! Laube 555 has enjoyed considerable appeal, unfortunately however it also seems to suffer rather more than the usual degree of problems. Like a number of similar machines it has the benefit of using "detachable" blade, and as a result there is no tensioning of the blades to undertake both before and during clipping. The Laube wide blade is perhaps not completely comfortable with all breeds of horses, and a better choice would be either of the two Moser wide 2.3mm blades. For horses the Moser "2.3mm wide blade" gives a professional full body clip if it has been correctly sharpened. (Use the Wahl size #9 blade 2mm for head and legs to compliment cutting depth.) Exhibition cattle clip out well with Laube 505 and 515 models when the Oster "Groom Master" blades are used. Andis AGR + Another neat and compact clipper, but this one is very well balanced and a pleasure to operate all day. Has innovative charger with facility to "refresh" your battery every month thereby extending the battery life. Recommended especially for Vets or dog groomers/owners. Not powerful enough for cattle or horse full body clipping in our opinion. Clip time of 60 minutes. Re-charge time on the hour. Detachable blades. No tensioning problems! Best for dogs and small animals. Heiniger Cordless Swiss - very well engineered. One-hour clip time. Fast re-charge in one hour. Very good selection of blades available Liscop Equip clip 1600 German - a very well engineered and smooth running machine. One-hour clip time. Re-charge time about one hour Laube 555 Highly innovative slim and compact two-speed clipper with considerable appeal amongst ladies clipping horses. 75 minutes on the fast speed and up to 3 hours run on the standard speed. Fast re-charge of one hour. Detachable blades - no tensioning to worry about! Improve the blade range and this must be the way to clip cordless in the future! Suitable for horses and show cattle. Laube 505 The same as the Laube 555 but with an angled (30 degree) head. Clipping angle can put some folk off, Try it! Has many benefits, (Dog groomers do it all day long! - Good for them!) Suitable for show cattle. Laube 515 The same as the Laube 505 but instead of being two speed this one has the variable speed facility. Suitable for show cattle. Liscop Equip clip 1600 German - a very well engineered and smooth running machine. One-hour clip time. Re-charge time about one hour. Suitable for horses and cattle. Lister Showman Great battery! One of the best for clip duration up to 2.5 hour on a single clip - some we have tested have gone on for almost double that time. Battery worn on your belt clipper attached by telephone type cable. Good for Dairy parlour work. On the down side: Noisy and expensive! Suitable for horses and cattle. Moser "Avalon" An evolution of the already established and popular two speed Moser Max 45, but in cordless mode which will be of immediate attraction to many horse owners. Innovative, lightweight, with a two an a half hour clip time, from a powerful battery pack intended to be worn off your waist belt plus the facility of "detachable" new Cera ceramic hardened blade with a longer clipping life - thus removing the necessity to tension - this machine will appeal to many. Suitable for horses and show cattle. Oster Power Pro Compact clipper, but the short heavy battery gives the effect of the handpiece feeling badly balanced. Would not want to be clipping all day with one of these! Good tool for Vets. Two batteries supplied, each with a clip time of 30 minutes. Re-charge time 20 minutes per battery. Detachable blades, thus no tensioning problems! Suitable for show cattle.


	Cordless semi- professional clippers- cattle, horses and dogs (See Fig. 8)


	Lister Meteor Compact and supplied in neat carry case. Detachable blades. No tensioning problems! Can be used in both mains and cordless mode. Clip time 45 minutes. Good for head, faces and certain types of legs. Wahl Pro Series re-chargeable A highly popular and versatile semi professional clipper with excellent blade range. Can be used in either mains or cordless mode. Ideal companion clipper for horse/cattle folk for use on heads, faces and legs. Suitable also for many dog owners, and great for the mobile vet! Detachable blades. No tensioning problems! Plus… it comes at an economic price! Moser Adelar A new introduction of what to many will appear an identical clone of the "Arco" - Principle improvements are the newly introduced CeraBlade, said to be 4 times harder than conventional blades, each blade being coated with a ceramic finish, the process of which improves blade penetration, cutting effectiveness and the cutting life! Supplied with two 60 minute clip time batteries - recharge time being 90 minutes. The angled clipping head is fitted with a "snap on" detachable blade. (No more tensioning or blade alignment!) The innovative blade design has built in adjustment giving five cutting adjustments from 0.1mm to 3mm. Moser Arco A mighty impressive clipper! At first glance you might be forgiven for dismissing as just another “little” trimmer! German made with a very innovative blade, adjustable from 0.3mm to 3mm, and which the manufacturers claim remains sharp for “two years!” Attachment combs provided. Great for heads and faces of horses and cattle, or cattle udders. Excellent on all breeds of dogs as a full body clipper. Ideal for vets. Two batteries supplied, each with a clip time of 60 minutes. Fast re-charge around 45 minutes per battery. Low noise and vibration levels. Detachable blades. No tensioning problems.


	Cordless trimmers - cattle, horses and dogs


	Wahl Pet trimmer (See Fig. 9) Neat little pet trimmer powered with two dry AA batteries. Limited uses but useful for tidying up faces or for small pets (rabbits) Wahl Pocket Pro Similar to the one above but even smaller and cheaper!


	12Volt Clippers


	These are ideal for those who clip away from "home" or who do not have the facility of mains power. Most will operate satisfactorily from any good quality car or Land rover heavy-duty battery. Generally they are identical to mains powered machines except that instead of a plug at the end of the cable they are fitted with two "crocodile" clips (See Fig 10) Lister Laser 12 volt Identical to the mains powered "Laser" model, the 12-volt offers the flexibility of being able to clip "in the field". You can clip anywhere you can get a vehicle or generator to, which offers great scope for those with stock in remote areas, or away from mains power supply The powerful motor produces a very efficient heavy-duty clipper, which will afford the operator many hours of reliable and effortless clipping, (depending always on the condition of your battery.) Features such as easy maintenance, 5 meters of hard-wearing two core rubber sheathed cable, double insulation and built in thermal over load gives added safety and peace of mind. A sheep head can be fitted to this machine - alternatively fit a "wizard" blade, which will clip both sheep and cattle. This blade is especially useful for dirty store cattle. Heiniger 12 volt. A precision made Swiss 12-volt machine noted for reliability and incorporating the latest components and engineered to a high standard. The powerful motor producing a good cutting speed, which compares quite favourably to a mains type motor. The relatively slim design of the handpiece gives well-balanced handling for a machine of its size, with a low degree of noise level.. Features such as easy maintenance, and the ability to be able to use both the Aesculap, Stewart-Oster, Supershear, DeLaval full blade range extends widely the clipping capabilities of this product both in the cattle and horse fields thus make it the "superior" 12 volt machine. An attachable sheep head can be purchased which is interchangeable with the cattle/horse head, thus extending the use of the machine for shearing and dagging sheep.


	Professional Dog clippers - mains powered (See Fig. 11)


	The vast majority of these machines use a "detachable" blade. This type of blade you do not need to unscrew, cleaning can be undertaken with out separating the two blades. Blades are usually best fitted with the motor running. (use the lower speed if the machine is a two-speed model.) Mains powered clippers are usually either rotary driven (the blade drive lever moves at speed from side to side) or magnetic (the drive shaft rotates round.) Several of the mains powered models have a "two speed" (fast - slow) facility, and a few are supplied with a "variable" speed option. (A knob, at the base of the machine is turned to increase the cutting speed to the desired amount.) Two speed machines are useful for precise show work or for use on nervous animals. Most professional dog groomers work in "fast" speed mode. Dog owners with breeds such as Terriers, Spaniels and Poodles involving a fair degree of clipping, will find they are better advised to select one of the professional mains powered machine, either single or two speed. The reason being that they are then able to use blades best suited to clipping their animal correctly.


	Starting with the rotary type products:-


	Aesculap Favorita II. German made - top of the "quality tree". Beautifully engineered, this is a clipper for the professional. Expensive, but like most German products you are getting pure quality! The Favorita only accepts blades from its own range, and these are not cheap either, but they are very good! Andis AGC Models Both single and two speed are some of the slimmest machines and very lightweight, and are becoming increasingly popular with many professional groomers. Andis MBG AG Worthy of consideration by those looking for a slightly less expensive model but who want the benefits of the "detachable" blades. Good machine for the family dog owner. Laube range The American Laube Models include Mini Micro (v/speed) Laube 503, (2 speed) Laube 513 (v/speed) and the horse model Laube 555 (2 speed) offer a range of mains, two speed and variable speed, as well as cordless. American made, they have proved very popular with dog groomers, horse owners and cattle exhibitors. Past history records a number of problems, suggesting the need for design refinements, many of which have now been duly addressed. Moser Max 45 German made with its 45 watt motor is the most powerful of the two speed machines. This machine is equally at home clipping horses and is well worth considering when a nervous horse is involved. (For full body horse clips use the Wahl wide 2.3mm blade) Oster Golden A5 has a long record of being popular clipper with groomers, but has a history of overheating. Available both as single or two speed. The Thrive 50 50 watt motor is rather too new to evaluate at this stage. Not a comfortable hand piece to hold compared to many others.


	Professional Dog clippers - Cordless (See Fig. 12)


	Popular machines include the: - Oster Power Pro Andis Super AGR+ Laube 505 (2/speed) & Laube 515 (v/speed) Moser Arco As these are commented on above - please refer. BLADES for these machines are referred to as "detachable" blades. (See Fig. 13) The "detachable blade is supplied as one piece, the cutter and comb being secured by a factory tensioned spring. Unless you have past experience do not undo the blade screws! Also it is unnecessary to do so. (For information on how to reassemble - if you have taken them apart - and cleaning - please click here) It is very unwise to attempt to try to sharpen blades yourself- they need special skills and machinery! Principally the leading clipper firms, Andis, Oster, Moser and Wahl manufacture the popular blades. They vary considerable, starting at size #50 (Wahl Competition Series) with a cutting depth of 0.6mm (surgical) to size Ultra Edge 3/4 (Andis) at cutting depth 19mm. The higher the blade size number the closer the cut! Unfortunately few if any of the various manufactured blades share exactly the same cutting measurements, so one does need to be aware of the differences although it may only be a few "points of a mm" Attachment combs may be fixed either to the under side of the comb blade or by sliding onto the side of the comb blade. Their purpose is to increase the cutting depth. Most attachment combs can only be used on blade sizes #50, #40, #30, #15, #10, #9 and #8.5. From blade size #7 and downwards they will not fit due to the thickness of the comb portion of the blade. The most popular blade used in dog grooming is the size#10 - a good general-purpose blade used on many breeds. Size #7F blades are also popular as a body blade. Blade size #40 is a recognised "surgical" blade as used by vets or for dense matts in dog coats. Whilst manufacturers claim that their "detachable" blades are "compatible" with most of the professional detachable blade type machines, experience proves it is not always the case. The advice is "if you buy an Andis clipper stick with Andis blades!" likewise if you buy a Wahl/Moser machine use Wahl/Moser blades. If you have a "heap" of Oster or Wahl blades and switch to a different make of machine, the blades usually work perfectly for two or three months before adjustment may become necessary. This can usually be put right by a competent service centre.


	Domestic Pet clippers (See Fig 14)


	Moser Rex The German made with an impressive history over almost two decades. Popular for years with many horse owners for heads and faces. Good machine for cleaning up the family hound! Adjustable blade lever allows you to select cutting height. Attachment combs supplied. Screw on blades - alignment important! Downside: Rather limited on blade selection for any serious dog clipping Wahl Multi Cut Clipper American made. Popular for years with many pet owners for clipping out the family dog. Adjustable blade lever allows you to select cutting height. Several blades available. Attachment combs supplied. Screw on blades - alignment important! Economy clipper/come trimmer at an economic price, not suitable for serious work. In the magnetic category you find medium priced and cheaper machines. Often described as "clippers" these are little more than "trimmers" and usually have blades, which require being both screwed on and aligned. (The alignment being critical to the cutting performance!) Moser Rex is a fine example of a quality trimmer with almost clipper potential, and is definitely the best of this group. Such clippers are often attractive by price; they are not always suitable for clipping some of the hairier dog breeds, due often to motor power and the limitation of blade selection.


	Dry battery powered Trimmers. (See Fig 15)


	Small compact trimmers ideal for small cats and dog breeds, pet rabbits or horses faces. They are really for tidying up whisker and odd hairs rather than any form of serious clipping. Not suitable for hairy horse socks. Blades require being both screwed on and aligned. (The alignment again being critical to the cutting performance!) (See Fig 15)


	After Clippers then there are the Blades - these do the cutting!

	Remember the importance of the blades in respect of the finished job! They are the "bits" which actually do the cutting! It is valuable to learn the difference between blades. There are many different types of blades, each cutting to a different "finished" height, which will affect your animal's coat appearance. In the case of cats and more particularly dogs there is a very considerable range of different blades each with a particular purpose. The coat length can also be increased with the use of "attachment" combs fitted to the blade The cat or dog groomer will need to appreciate the difference between the "full tooth" and the "skip tooth" blade. The "full tooth" blade will give a more "velvet" effect and due to the smaller gap between blade teeth it is safer to use in more sensitive areas. "Skip tooth" blades can offer easier entry into denser coats and are useful for "roughing off" before bathing.


	Lastly an important note about blades.


	Blades have an infuriating habit of going blunt! Now they don't always perform this trick as you finish clipping you animal. It is far more common for it to happen half way through the task on a Sunday! To avoid the embarrassment of the half-clipped animal, the trick is to always have two sets of either new or freshly sharpened blades before you start! Saves a lot of red faces and embarrassment not least if you are clipping a friend's animal! Finally……… a few words of wisdom! Never lend your clipper to a friend. Least of all your best friend! Clean your clipper every time after use! If it is the type that has a tension nut/knob, slacken the nut off when putting it away. Do not leave the blades under tension - in time you may weaken the tension spring! After using your clipper clean it, oil it and store it in a dry and secure place! Not in damp stables, tack rooms, or show boxes. Further advice and information on Clippers and blades can be obtained by telephoning 01424 882900 during business hours (Mondays - Fridays 0900hrs to 1700 hrs.) We are always happy to discuss your requirements or give advice.

Fig. 1 Clipper (Aesculap Econom Plus)

Fig. 1a Trimmer (Wahl Pet Trimmer)

Fig. 2 Heavy duty clipper

Fig. 3 Cattle/horse blades

A: Comb (lower plate) B: Cutter (Upper plate)

Fig. 4 Clipper head showing tension nut

Fig. 5 Sheep Shearing machine

Fig. 5 Sheep Shearing machine

A: Comb (lower plate) B: Cutter (Upper plate)

Fig. 6 Light Duty Clipper (Heiniger Handy)

Fig. 7 Cordless Clipper (Laube 555)

Fig. 8 Semi-cordless clipper (Wahl Pro-series)

Fig. 9 Cordless Trimmer (Wahl Pet Trimmer)

Fig. 10 12-Volt Clipper (Heiniger 12volt)

Fig. 11 Dog Clipper - Professional mains powered

Fig. 12 Professional Cordless Clipper (Andis AGR+)

Fig. 13 Professional "detachable" grooming blades

A: Moser 2.3mm wide blade for large dogs or horses

B: Oster #40 blade

C: Oster 7F skip tooth blade

Fig. 14 Domestic Pet Clipper (Wahl Horse Clipper)

Fig. 15 Dry battery powered Trimmers Wahl Pet Trimmer