I have a toy poodle mix that I clip myself. Any recommendations for good clippers? I bought the first set from a pet store when I found her but the blades dulled in a few months and I could not find replacements. I want something not too expensive that I can just get new blades for when needed.
Thanks, Bopper
I believe I have Andis dog clippers? That’s the only brand that pops into mind and I’m fairly sure it’s the one. AG may be the model… Anyway I have had them for over a year now I believe and really like them. I need to get my blades sharpened but never think of it until I’m about to start clipping! They aren’t too dull yet but they could use it.
I bought the 10 blade (maybe it came with the clippers?), 7 and 7fc blades, 4, and another blade that only has 1/3 the width of blade area for the legs (forget the name of that one). I have two dogs I shave down, poodle mixes. The boy has a pelt instead of a regular coat (lol) so I get him with the 10 blade in the summer. It’s pretty short, but his coat is so thick it looks fine. The little girl has a really thin, fine coat and the 7 blade is the shortest I use on her. I really like the fc blade as it cleans up the look a lot. I reserve the 4 blade for ears, tail and the girly during the winter.
The investment of the initial purchase and the blade sharpening is well worth the price! I originally had a cheapy pair that I got for 40 bucks but they only had blade covers that snapped on… Useless! It’s really nice to have a set of clippers that work well!
buy horse clippers. much sturdier than dog clippers. I have a wahl rechargeable clipper that has been going strong for years. cordless clippers are the way to go.
[QUOTE=wendy;7147040]
buy horse clippers. much sturdier than dog clippers. I have a wahl rechargeable clipper that has been going strong for years. cordless clippers are the way to go.[/QUOTE]
They’re mostly the same clippers marketed different - if you look at non-grooming supply places like Petco you can find the REALLY crap flimsy dog clippers, but those aside they’re all exactly the same.
Pretty much anything under $100 with non-A5 style blades is meant for light, light duty, like trimming a dog’s sanitary and face. Easy stuff. Ask any more than that or ask it too often and they’ll probably die.
If you want clippers that last, you’re looking at $100+. In that price range you can get clippers that use the A5 style blades, so you can buy whatever blades you want. Even the good cordless with non snap-on blades that are nice for clean feet, clean faces etc are over $100.
These are a sturdy clipper for the price-http://www.ryanspet.com/andis-2-speed-ag-clipper-w-10-blade-pz-AND22215.html
They’re about as cheap as you can get and still have a decent clipper. I have a pair as a back-up in case my main pair is out for repairs (love, love how easy my wahl switchblades are on my hands but the damn things break every time I look at them wrong). They hold up to a pro groomer so they should last a home groomer doing 1 dog a long, long time - if you take care of them.
(No one takes care of their clippers. Ask 10 horse people when the last time they changed the blade drive was and you’ll be lucky if only 9 look confused and ask what a blade drive is.)
Whatever you get, read up on what maintenance is recommended and follow it. Keep the clippers up, keep the blades cleaned and oiled.
I have an Oster A5 that I’ve been using for about 15 years or more…they last forever and I think Oster will repair them too if you have maintenance issues.
My breeder is a professional groomer and she prefers Andis because they are a bit lighter (or at least they were when i bought mine, she wished I had gotten an Andis). I suspect there are a variety of choices to choose from…mine are probably closest to these: https://www.petedge.com/zpetedgemain/catalog/productDetail.jsf?area=PMCB-01&sort=TA&wec-appid=PEDM_WEBSHOP_TR&page=72A214C22827430A9795247F1BF064D6&itemKey=005056A633791ED2B586435850024FB3&show=12&view=grid&wec-locale=en_US&filter=Brand%3DOster
I’d probably not go lower in price; obviously you can go higher but not sure what more you get for the extra money…more power, probably, which may not be necessary for you.
I was thinking Oster A-5 as that is what my vet uses and hers last FOREVER. I just wanted to get suggestions before I spend the $$$. I am careful to keep the blades oiled and cleaned after every use as they last so much longer that way.
Thanks, Hilary
Last weekend Mr Bauhaus & I used my A5 to clip our small corgi using a 40 blade. (No idea why I even had a 40 blade but they were on the clippers when I took them out of the bag). I think a 10 would have looked a lot better, but this elderly corgi has been peeing on himself in his sleep & we really did need to take the hair down as close to the skin as possible so we used them. It was fine even through his double coat. I think if you have good horse clippers small enough for the face, they can do double duty for your poodle with the right blades. FWIW my Oster A5 single speed pair is at least 15 years old & runs like new.
My new Oster A5’s were junk. The old models were awesome, the newer ones really suck. If you can find a pair from 10 years ago you are set for life.
I use the Andis clippers now. They go from poodle to horse with no problems at all. You can use Oster or Andis blades on them. They are lighter to hold than the osters and I find can run through matted poodle hair better.
[QUOTE=SquishTheBunny;7147554]
My new Oster A5’s were junk. The old models were awesome, the newer ones really suck. If you can find a pair from 10 years ago you are set for life.
I use the Andis clippers now. They go from poodle to horse with no problems at all. You can use Oster or Andis blades on them. They are lighter to hold than the osters and I find can run through matted poodle hair better.[/QUOTE]
Oh really? Good to know. I was wondering when I wrote that if the new ones were as indestructible and thinking that along with most things today they probably weren’t. 
Oster A5s tend to be louder and the housing longer than the equivalent wahl or andis clippers. They are good clippers but I never recommend them for people grooming dogs. I have 2 pairs that are gathering dust because I’ve found I get better performance from my cheaper andis clippers even on the horses.
OP, in case you are not aware, you can get clipper blades sharpened. You can send them out (lots of places you can find online), and most cities have places that do them as well.
Petedge is having a sale on their Andis clippers, if you or anyone else is interested. I tried copying the link but my browser is being finicky right now. Anyway it’s the Andis ag (and ag plus) two speed with 10 blade for 99 bucks. I got my clippers, blades and several other things from them, all good experiences shopping. (they will send you a buttload of emails if you check yes, FYI, which is how I found out about this sale!)
Your dog is the only living being on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. But if you want that everyone else should also become a fan of your paw friend then you need to groom it. Dog clippers are the best grooming tools that make your dog healthy and tidy.
Here we have a beginners’ guide for you to use dog clippers for grooming:
Take your dog for a walk before start grooming session. Use good medicated shampoo and conditioner to make dog’s coats soft and silky. This can also help you to remove their tangles.
Buy the right dog clippers according to the quality of your dog’s fur. Remember there is a slight difference between a clipper and a dog’s trimmer. Dog clippers are used to cut longer fur whereas a trimmer is for touch-ups.
3. Make sure that dog clipper is cordless and of good quality so that it won’t stress your dog while grooming.
All new dog owners can follow this beginners Guide to groom your adorable furry friend at home.
No need for cordless clippers. Some are great, others not so much. The cord is not a problem for most dogs. Not sure if this is just spam, though.
The Poodle Forum has some awesome owner-groomers, as well as pros who lend advice. The grooming forum can be as expert as COTH. Have you checked it out? As much as I enjoy grooming, I don’t know if I could successfully manage to groom a Poodle without at least a couple yearly interventions from a pro :lol:.
The right product$, a good comb and brush ($$), work surface at a comfortable height for you, sharp blades, and an HV dryer (maybe a stand dryer for a Poodle) seem like starting requirements.
From a former dog groomer get the Andis UltraEdge two speed clippers hands down. Don’t get the Oster A5 heavy, loud and get very hot. Key to a good cut is clean dry dog and clean sharp blades.
Get a bravura style clipper with metal comb attachments. I’m a pro groomer and it’s almost all I use (except when doing matted shave downs). Gives you a lot of options for lengths without having to buy a million blade lengths. Quiet and light. The blade can be sharpened/refurbished or you can buy new, but properly taken care of and used on clean hair it should probably last at least 30 grooms.
I got a set of Conair clippers at an auction. They were in good condition and equipped with ceramic blades. Those blades cut beautifully during numerous dog trimming sessions. I was pretty amazed at their longevity! My dog tells me when blades need replacing. They are similar to other A5 blades, interchangable on the Conair clippers. Nice having all my blades fit all the clippers! I found more ceramic replacement blades doing a search for A5 ceramic blades. A bit more expensive, but sure are long lasting! They may not survive well after a trip to the floor though.
Blade life depends on dog having clean hair, lubricating blades often. I use the big sewing machine oil bottles. Sewing oil is made for precision parts going at high speed, getting hot during long use. Never got any skin reaction from animals because it is such a clean oil to begin with. Not runnimg hot blades very long is another factor in blade life. Hot blades “lose their temper, (hardness)” and won’t stay sharp as long. Won’t stay sharp as long after getting resharpened either. Kool-lube spray on only works a very short time. I trade clippers when the blades get hot. Better for blade life, with horse/dog being happier too.
I also clip using use my A5s, have found them powerful on thick hair. They go from dog to horse, do a good job on both. The local clipper sharpener will also repair my Oster clippers, large and small. Those little levers that move A5 blades do wear out, blades won’t move, levers need replacing. Never liked Andis after so many problems with them years ago. Not willing to give them another chance.
I get Oster clipper comb/blade guards from Sally Beauty supply. I can buy only the length needed, as a single. Blade guards are a pain at times, but do give the dog a more even cut, prevent getting too short/bald, on the back of hind legs, or places like under the tail. Dog is an outside dog most of the day, don’t want any frozen places!!
I agree that the new A5s are junk compared to the old ones. I have to fiddle with mine to get them to catch the blade when I’m prepping for use.
This is a very old thread, but in case anyone is shopping now… Definitely try to use a pair of A5s before you buy them, I despise them - really heavy and clunky and just didn’t fit well in my hand at all, and I have big man hands. For cordless I still have and love my Wahl Moser with the adjustable pop-off blade head, it’s been over 15 years. I think they call them Arco instead of Moser now. I use them for feet and sanitary and any detail clipping and I have a pair of corded Andis for main body grooming, except I don’t anymore since the Cocker passed. I’ve been very happy with them.
Biggest thing is to have 2 or 3 blades of each size you use so that you can swap when they’re hot and so that you can ship them out on a rotating basis to be sharpened. And keep your blades clean and oiled, and your animal as clean as possible.
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