A hair clipper can be a good investment. It will save you the cost you’d have spent on a professional haircut and is convenient since you can use it whenever you want. However, like any other self-care device, it must be adequately maintained.
The most effective way to get the perfect cut is by using sharp blades for hair clippers. Find out how you can sharpen your hair clipper blades to get an excellent cut every time. There is a “right tool” for every task. For specific haircuts, the tool is a high-quality set of clippers for hair.
The steps below will show you how to sharpen your hair clipper blades. Making sure your clipper blades are sharp. It will make cutting hair much easier.
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How often should you sharpen Your Blade for the Clipper?
There’s no simple answer, as every person uses their clippers differently. It would be best if you sharpened them every six months.
If you use your clippers for a long time, such as in the barbershop or a dog grooming salon, you’ll have to sharpen them more often. Some barbers use their clippers to cut many hairs, so they require regular sharpen their clippers every couple of months.
One way to know whether your clippers require sharpening is when they tug hair or scratch skin. However, you must sharpen your clippers before when that happens, particularly if applying them to people.
The best method is to sharpen the blades when the performance is lowered enough to make you notice. Remember how fantastic they were when you first purchased them? They’ll perform that way each when you turn them on.
Tools You’ll Need Before Sharpening Your Blades
The most important purchase you make will be the whetstone. It is highly suggested to purchase one. Remember that taking your blades to a store will cost you about the price that one whetstone costs. A good whetstone will last for years.
It’s indeed there’s a lot. However, it’s not. The majority of the items on this list are typical kitchen appliances.
1. Screwdriver
Any screwdriver can be used. Make sure that it is sized to fit the screws of the clipper. It’s not a good idea to strip them, as this could lead to an entire array of issues.
2. White Vinegar
White vinegar is more useful than a blade cleanser. Though vinegar is more effective, it is linked to certain cancers. Beware of it.
Small bowl with warm water and vinegar to wash your blade.
3. Rag or Paper Towel
Anything that isn’t abrasive can be used. Microfiber clothes are the best choice. If you are using paper towels, make sure you have enough.
4. ToothBrush
The toothbrush I use is an old toothbrush to remove the gunk that is between the blades of the clipper. A regular brush is well, as does the scoring pad.
5. Marker
Ideally, a permanent marker could be black or red. The marker will be used to determine the amount of surface area the whetstone has taken away.
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6. Whetstone
Water, Oil Diamond: There’s a wide range of sharpening stones to choose from. I could write a complete guide to sharpening stones by itself. If you plan to sharpen the blades of your clippers, then a 3,000-grit and 8,000-grit set is all you require. It is also possible to utilize the stone for kitchen knives, so it’s definitely worth it.
7. Container and water
The container and water must be soaked in the whetstone before you use it. Go through your kitchen to find an empty bowl or Tupperware container to put the whetstone inside. I use a casserole dish. Fill it with room temperature water, but not enough to completely cover the stone.
Simple Tips for Sharpening Hair Clippers
1. Clean the Blades
It is necessary to take off the blades from your hair clipper before you sharpen them. Most blades are attached to clippers using two screws on the bottom of the blades. Use the screwdriver of your choice (Philips or flathead) to loosen the screws. After that, you can remove the clipper’s blades.
2. Prepare Your Whetstone
The different types of whetstones don’t have the same characteristics. There are various options, including diamond, water whetstones made of oil, diamond, and. Diamond whetstones work well with ceramic blades, and water-sharpening stones can be most common and suitable for standard steel blades. If you own water whetstones, prepare them by immersing them in a pot of water for about 10 minutes. It’s done when there aren’t any more bubbles appearing.
3. Connect the Blades to the Magnet Holder
A magnet holder helps keep the blades of your hair clipper in position while sharpening. It also protects against injuries to your fingers while sharpening. You don’t own a holder for magnets and want to use your fingers to hold the blades to sharpen them. It is recommended to wear gloves that are surgical to prevent injury.
4. Clean the Blade
Unsealed areas of the blades of your hair clippers are likely to build up a significant amount of hair and oil, mainly if you employ your hair clips to make shorter haircuts. Clean them with your blade wash and the toothbrush, and then dry them with cloths or the rag you used to clean earlier. If you don’t have a knife wash, combine white vinegar in warm water and apply the solution to wash the gunk.
Be aware that this gunk can occasionally make your clippers feel sharp even when they’re not. Therefore, after cleaning, put together the hair clippers and see if they perform well. If not, you need an appropriate sharpening of the clipper blade.
5. Add Drops of hair oil Clipper Oil
After assembling those hair clippers, apply a couple of drops of oil for hair clippers on the clippers’ blades. This is the same oil you apply each time you perform a few cuts you perform. The oil assists in preventing the blades from becoming overheated. The oil also decreases friction, which can cause damage to the blades over time.
6. Run the Hair Clippers
When you’ve reassembled the clippers for hair, make certain to run the clippers for a couple of minutes. This will sharpen the blades. They’ll be ready to cut the next time.
7. Mark Blades
Using a marker, you can highlight the flat area on the blade. It is that of the blades which join and cut hair. By marking the side of the blades you’re preparing to sharpen, you’ll know whether you’ve worn down the blade sufficiently using the whetstone. It will also let you know which areas require more sharpening.
8. Change the Grit
Then, you can dip the whetstone. Then flip it to the 8,000-grit side, and repeat the whole process. Take 15 passes, turn, and make fifteen more passes.
Rinse the stone in between the various blades. Also, check if your marker is lifted off the blade’s surface. Do a second pass if any markers remain stuck to the blade.
Tips for maintaining your Clipper
There’s no secret to keeping your blades sharper for longer. It’s just common sense maintenance. The process of sharpening the blades you use is the most difficult aspect of the care.
Two other methods to ensure it last longer include cleaning and oiling.
Make sure you grease your cutter after each use and don’t apply more than you’ll need. If you’re excessively liberal using the oil, it will damage the clipper, and it will be unable to run properly. Two drops of oil are enough.
Cleaning your clippers shouldn’t be difficult, but it can be frustrating. I employ the brush included with my clipper and then wipe the hairs off the surface of the comb’s blade.
Then, I use an even smaller brush and sweep whatever I can beneath the blade. Clean the clipper prior to and after running it. Also, ensure that your teeth are protected by using the guard. If a tooth is chipped or damaged, you’ll require a new blade.
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FAQ | Frequently Asked Questions
1. How often should I change the blades of my hair clipper?
Much of it is contingent on the grade of the blade. If you utilize your hair clippers on an average of between 10 and 15 times per day, you should be able to replace the blades every 4 to 6 months.
2. Are you able to make use of different oils with your clippers?
A specific oil to use with those clippers would be the ideal alternative. If you don’t have it available, you can replace it with different oils. Pick a carrier oil that is lightweight and can withstand extreme temperatures. The generic olive oil brand is an excellent choice.
3. Do blades on clippers need to be sharpened?
Some clippers add an auto-sharpening feature. However, you can stop unwelcome cuts and sharp edges by sharpening your clippers once every few months.
4. Can you sharpen your clippers using sandpaper?
Sharpening your clippers by using Sandpaper is an effective method of sharpening your clippers at home. Start by placing the blade of the clipper on an even surface. Next, hold the sandpaper gently and move it forward and back over the blade several times.
5. Should you sharpen or change the blades on your clipper?
If you notice that your clippers tug at your hair and your skin. It is the right time to work on sharpening the blades. If it’s difficult to create a neat cut or edge, this is an indication to sharpen and change the blades. The replacement of the blades is something you must do if the sharpening process isn’t helping them to perform better.
6. Are blades of clippers sharpened by using salt?
It is a tried-and-true method to sharpen clipper blades, but it is best used only in the last instance. For this, put the blade in it until the salt has broken down.
7. Do clippers sharpen themselves?
Many clippers come with an auto-sharpening function. When you notice that your clippers are becoming dull, you must sharpen them.
8. How much will it cost to sharpen the blades of a clipper?
Sharpening your blades need not be cost-effective. This is especially true when you employ methods like the use of rock salt and sandpaper. But, having professional sharpening them isn’t an easy option. If you’re unable to make them sharp enough with the tools you have at home, you might consider replacing them.
9. Can you sharpen your clippers at home?
Making your own sharpeners at your home is the cheapest and most efficient method of sharpening your clippers. There are many methods to sharpen them. Some of them include rock salt, sandpaper, and sharpening stones.
Conclusion
The most challenging aspect of maintaining your hair clipper is sharpening. As you can see sharpening is not rocket science. If you’ve learned the best way to sharpen your hair clippers, enjoy the best haircut every time without spending more.
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