{"id":1020,"date":"2020-09-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daysmart.com\/pet\/blog\/sharpening-shears\/"},"modified":"2024-12-24T13:26:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T13:26:29","slug":"sharpening-shears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysmart.com\/pet\/blog\/sharpening-shears\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Practices for Sharpening Your Grooming Shears"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Maybe you\u2019ve been there. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been a busy day, your pooch has been washed, dried, and you\u2019re moving in for the most epic cut. A few snips, and, literally nothing happens. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dull grooming shears are a total drag. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We all know that keeping your shears nice and sharp is an important part of having a good grooming experience. Both for you and your client. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what\u2019s the best way to go about caring for and sharpening your shears?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you DIY-it? Should you shell out some cash to have it done professionally? Should you just cut it out and buy another pair? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a few breaths, we got you. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s have a look at the ins and outs of some of the best practices for sharpening shears. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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You Gotta Know When to Sharpen<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Good shears are a groomer\u2019s best friend. Whether you are a novice or a professional dog groomer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With <\/span>proper care and maintenance<\/span><\/a>, a good pair can last upwards of 20-years. Plan on sharpening your shears at least once a year. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from once a year, here are a few signs your shears are ready for a good sharpening. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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The Fur is Bending <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible that the tension is too loose. If you\u2019ve made adjustments already and the fur is still bending, your shears are likely dull. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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There Is Pinching or Pulling<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your furry client will likely make you aware that this is happening. From your perspective, if fur seems like it\u2019s pinched you may have nicked your shears. Possibly from dropping them or some other sort of impact. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time to sharpen. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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There\u2019s a Crunch<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you actually hear a crunching sound when you\u2019re snipping, or the shears get caught up when you close them, this is another sign you\u2019ve nicked your shears. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You guessed it, time to sharpen. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Improperly Sharpened \u2013 Dull Quickly<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shears that had an edge when new should stay sharp for a long time after sharpening.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you had them sharpened, or went the DIY route, and find your shears seem dull after a few services. It\u2019s likely they weren\u2019t sharpened properly. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Your Hands Hurt <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you find your hands are tired or hurt after a few cuts, it could be because your shears are dull. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Inconsistent Results<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your cuts are not coming out how they normally do. Or you are getting wildly inconsistent results, it could be time for a sharpening. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of it this way, the more frequently you use your grooming shears, the more frequently you\u2019ll need to sharpen them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Sharpening Your Shears DIY Version<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a lot of hacks out there on ways for dog groomers to sharpen their shears on a dime. Most of those hacks, you, and your shears, really want no part of. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Don\u2019t Use Aluminum Foil<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some places online suggest folding some foil and cutting through it a few times.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not do this. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your shears will become rounded and will require more work to sharpen. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Don\u2019t Use Sandpaper <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sandpaper is good for many things, sharpening grooming shears is not one of them. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your shears may not recover if you choose to go this route. We recommend you do not. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Home-Sharpening Equipment <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Good shears often require multiple steps, with different kinds of abrasives and polishing techniques. Most home-sharpening kits aren\u2019t worth it and will end up damaging your tools. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is one device we\u2019ve seen that does seem to stand up to the needs of professional grooming shears. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shear Savers are a small piece of equipment that requires minimal investment and may save you time and money in the long term. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can sharpen grooming shears up to 10-inches, however, it does seem like the device only works with straight shears. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Bottom line, DIY Is Risky<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the day, most of the DIY hacks for sharpening shears are OK for run-of-the-mill scissors, but grooming shears are made from various metals and you will likely <\/span>do more damage than good <\/span><\/a>if you go the DIY route. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moral of the story, invest in your shears and they will give you the best years of their lives. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Bring in the Pros<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So we\u2019ve pretty much covered why most DIY hacks aren\u2019t the best for your grooming shears. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> you do then?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Invest in Equipment and Training <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is not the cheapest option but it does put you at a potential advantage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will never have to worry about <\/span>sharpening your shears<\/span><\/a> again. You\u2019ll be able to take care of it in house, ensuring quality control, and adding value to your professional grooming business. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even add sharpening shears as a service you provide to clients who like to cut their pups mane\u2019s themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Sharpening Shears by Mail <\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a few companies that have done the work of investing in professional sharpening equipment so you don\u2019t have to.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you do is select your favorite, safely package your shears, and ship them off. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shear Precision <\/span><\/a>has been around since 2008. Short, long, curved, straight, serrated, corrugated, and pinking they can, and do, sharpen it all. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Precision Sharpening<\/span><\/a> is another industry favorite. They guarantee all of their work and are authorized to sharpen Chris Christensen and SharkFin Shears without voiding their warranties. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frank Rowe and Son Inc. <\/span><\/a>has 40-years of shear sharpening experience. Ship them your blades for inspection and they\u2019ll get back to you with your best maintenance options. Most orders can be completed in 1-3 business days. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In Between Sharpening Shears<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Taking good care of your grooming shears is the number one way to ensure they last. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In between professional sharpening sessions:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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