Clipper help....

sillysally

 Not for my dogs, but for a co-worker's.  She has two poodle mixes and also grooms her mom's lhasa at home.  She has been using $25 people clippers but says they are not working well.  What sort for clippers would be good to use on both of these coat types at home?

I've used a variety of cheap clippers over the years, and they've never worked well for me.  Tell your co-worker to invest in some Andis 2-speed clippers, or a pair of Oster A5 clippers.  (I think both run between $120-150)  They are well designed clippers that will last a loooooong time with proper care.  These clippers use detatchable blades.  (Most come with a #10 blade, which is good for sanitary areas and can also be used with attachment combs, though a #30 blade is best for this purpose).  You don't specify what lengths of coat your friend would like to leave, so I will just mention that Oster and Andis make top notch blades as well.  They run between $15-30 a piece.  Petedge.com is one of the many places where you can order Oster and Andis clippers/blades.

Hope this helps.

Personally, I prefer Andis to Oster. (I have an A2, and I've had it now for 3 years with no problems). I have found that Oster clippers are heavier and louder than Andis, and I have bad carpal tunnel, so I need something that is good for my hands (the good thing is though, the blades are interchangable between Andis and Oster)

I also prefer Andis.

willgroom4chocolate

sillysally

 Not for my dogs, but for a co-worker's.  She has two poodle mixes and also grooms her mom's lhasa at home.  She has been using $25 people clippers but says they are not working well.  What sort for clippers would be good to use on both of these coat types at home?

I've used a variety of cheap clippers over the years, and they've never worked well for me.  Tell your co-worker to invest in some Andis 2-speed clippers, or a pair of Oster A5 clippers.  (I think both run between $120-150)  They are well designed clippers that will last a loooooong time with proper care.  These clippers use detatchable blades.  (Most come with a #10 blade, which is good for sanitary areas and can also be used with attachment combs, though a #30 blade is best for this purpose).  You don't specify what lengths of coat your friend would like to leave, so I will just mention that Oster and Andis make top notch blades as well.  They run between $15-30 a piece.  Petedge.com is one of the many places where you can order Oster and Andis clippers/blades.

Hope this helps.

how long does a #30 blade leave the hair? 

 A #30 blade is WAY short.  Almost surgical site short.  If you are using it for normal grooming, it is used with a guard that keeps it a certain length.

sweetbon

how long does a #30 blade leave the hair? 

The chart says 1/50".  This is pretty much bald, so I only use it on small areas to avoid irritation.  It's good for attachment combs, foot pads, shaving inside of ears, and "scooping out" the hair in front of the eyes on breeds with shorter muzzles, like Shih-tzus and Lhasa-Apsos.  The next shorter blades (#40 and #50) are commonly used to prep for surgery and shave the "clean" areas on Show Poodles, though some groomers will use a #40 for the above tasks with extra caution.  I think jennie_cd uses a #40 on some Chinese Crested show specimens, though I'm not %100 sure.

Hope this helps.

I do, I do. I also shaved Miss Emma Nems with a #30, in reverse, last hair cut. I generally shave her with a #10 in reverse, which should leave the hair about the same length as a #40.

Show Pooooooodles are also done with a #30 or #40. Various parts of other breeds (Spaniel ears, terrier ears, etc) are done with short blades, as well.

jennie_c_d

Show Pooooooodles are also done with a #30 or #40.

Is there an echo in here?

Yes, that's why they're ooooooooodles

LOL, can you tell it was a few minutes between me reading the post and me posting?  

 so, the higher the number the shorter closer the clip?  What number would leave the hair about 3/8"?  Right now I am using a cheap wahl clipper from Walmart and am using a #1 guard in the direction of her hair growth.  Its not doing a good job at all, and I have to go over and over the area and its still on even.  I like the length it leaves tho.  of course, her sanitary area I do as close as I can.

What do you suggest for me? 

sweetbon

so, the higher the number the shorter closer the clip?  What number would leave the hair about 3/8"?  Right now I am using a cheap wahl clipper from Walmart and am using a #1 guard in the direction of her hair growth.  Its not doing a good job at all, and I have to go over and over the area and its still on even.  I like the length it leaves tho.  of course, her sanitary area I do as close as I can.

What do you suggest for me? 

Technically, a #4 blade is supposed to leave 3/8".  And on Poodles and Bichons it pretty much does.  Shihs/Lhasa/ Maltese etc. have drop coats, and like you say, it's hard for the clipper to "pick-up" the coat and make a nice even cut length.  A #4 blade is more likely to leave 5/8" or 3/4" on this type of coat.  Same thing with attachment combs, though they are even harder, IMO, when used with the grain.  There are three things I suggest:

1.  Back-brush, (toward the head) and clipper over again. 

2.  Buy a $300+ clippervac unit.  LOL, Just kidding, though they ARE totally awesome! 

3.  (My best suggestion).  Use a LONGER attatchment comb in REVERSE.  If you want about 3/8", try using a 3/4" or 1/2" comb in reverse.

Investing in some higher-quality clippers would also save you some time and bother. 

willgroom4chocolate

2.  Buy a $300+ clippervac unit.  LOL, Just kidding, though they ARE totally awesome! 

*coughchoke* Seriously? I can get a clipper vac for $300?????

*shopping* 

I definitely  want to get a decent clipper.  Just a matter of time and money.  Thanks for the tips.  I have brushed the hair up against the grain and gone over it again, but like you said, with the type of coat she had it is difficult.  Sure is more difficult than cutting human hair! 

jennie_c_d

*coughchoke* Seriously? I can get a clipper vac for $300?????

 

*shopping* 

Well, more like $400 total.  The laube iVAC clipper has gone up about $100 since I last looked at it.  It runs about $350, though I saw one on ebay for less.  You supply the vacuum, a shop vac is between $30-100+ depending on the size and where you buy it.  I'm actually in the process of building my own unit, for substantially less than that.