Clipper maintenance

Oil Em clipper spray will help in your blade maintenance regime

Clip Top Condition: How To Look After Your Clippers by Simply Sharp

Clipper maintenance takes so little time out of the day, but it’s amazing how many people prefer to skip it! Not keeping up with your clipper maintenance means your expensive equipment will wear out much faster. Plus, dull blades can pull your client’s hair and even cut their skin - good luck getting that client back! Just following a few simple steps after each use will keep your clippers in top-notch condition for years to come.

The best thing you can do for your clipper is to brush, spray, and oil it after every use. Cut hairs left between the teeth will blunt your blades, as will any dust from your environment. Start with a large, soft brush to remove most of the debris, then follow up with a small stiff brush to get the rest – something like an old toothbrush works wonders.

A good blast of clipper spray will rid you of the last of the hairs – but there are other reasons that it’s an essential for your kit, too. Clipper blades heat up during use and risk burning your client, plus they pick up plenty of bacteria. Spraying your blades with Oil’Em® Clipper Spray will cool and disinfect them – among other benefits! It also lubricates and prevents rust, prolonging the life of your clipper blades. For good hygiene, you should also be sterilising your blades frequently using a blade wash solution.

A lack of oil means your blades will create too much friction, causing them to dull and become damaged. It’s quick and easy to oil your blades – with the clipper turned sideways, simply apply a few drops of oil on the teeth and allow the clipper to run for 10 seconds to disperse it. Too much oil will attract dirt, so wipe away the excess using a paper towel (with the clipper off). Make sure to use specialist clipper oil for this – WD-40, motor oil, and olive oil are all too thick and will cause damage to

the clipper’s internal components. If you’re still not getting a nice, smooth cut after all that work, it’s time to get your blades sharpened!

You might wonder how often you should be throwing out and replacing your clipper blades, and the answer is – not very often if you’re maintaining them properly! Ideally, you’ll only need to dispose of a clipper blade if it’s damaged or if your sharpener advises you to. It’s best to buy an extra blade when you purchase your clipper – dropping a clipper can break the teeth, so it’s good to always have a spare on hand!

Unfortunately, even perfect maintenance can be undone if you store your clipper incorrectly! Be sure to store your clipper in an indoor environment, where the damp and cold of the great British weather won’t cause corrosion and damage. Coil your cord rather than wrapping it around the clipper, and store blades separately to prevent damage – give them a good oil beforehand to protect against rust. If your clipper has been in storage for a while, we’d recommend a thorough clean before you use it.

If your clipper is damaged, or just not running as well as it should, sending it to be serviced may be your answer! Even if you never skip your daily maintenance, a professional service once a year will extend the life of your clipper significantly. Simply Sharp offer nationwide clipper servicing, repairs, and scissor and blade sharpening via post – and at only £15 for a full service of your grooming clippers, it’s an investment that’s well worth it for perfect performance.

Oil’Em® Clipper Spray is sold in a 400ml can for £6.50. Place your order today at https://www.simplysharp. co.uk/

Bringing together a team with many years of collective experience, Simply Sharp was founded in 2019 to meet the diverse needs of customers in a number of industries, including pet grooming, equine care, and hair dressing.

Contact Kyle Hyde at enquiries@ simplysharp.co.uk for more information about Oil’Em® Clipper Spray.

Pooch Perfect Winner

The final of Pooch Perfect saw Kelly Davis, Georgia Ashton Fuller and Lakhi Thindal go head to head to impress judges, Colin Taylor and Verity Hardcastle.

Kelly D was crowned the winner of the first season of Pooch Perfect

After an intense finale with some spectacular grooms, only one contestant could take home the winning title of Pooch Perfect.

Kelly D was crowned the winner of the first season of Pooch Perfect on BBC One.

In the final, Kelly groomed a continental clip on a standard poodle for the first time ever during the breed standard challenge.

For her last-ever dog walk challenge, Kelly groomed her Miniature Poodle for a Red Carpet and took her inspiration from Cher. We interview Kelly to find out more:

How did you feel about winning Pooch Perfect?

winner of Pooch Perfect and I am still on cloud 9. It is such a surreal feeling!

Your view of the series?

The series was incredibly well organised, it was a true portrayal of the love we all have for this industry and the challenges we are sometimes faced with. It was amazing to be part of something that aimed to educate (and entertain) the general public as I am an avid fan of promoting the work that we do.

The impact it has had on you?

I am overwhelmed with the response from winning the competition. The support and kind comments from my staff, customers, friends and family has been absolutely amazing. I have been inundated with requests to attend events, cut ribbons, appear as a guest celebrity, attend interviews etc however I do not want to lose track of what is most important to me and that is my grooming studio and training school. My Business means everything to me and I take pride sharing my knowledge with future generations so I am trying to strike the balance as best as I can.

How were you chosen for the series?

I am always looking for new challenges so I put myself forward during the lockdown in March. The audition process was nerve wracking so I was so pleased (and surprised) to have been chosen to take part in the series.

One of the most challenging parts of the process was keeping the news from everyone because I was so excited!

The importance of your family’s/husband’s support?

Without the support of my husband and children this would never have been possible. They have always supported me throughout my career, enabling me to gain tonnes of experience and knowledge. I am grateful to have such a caring and supportive family! They really are the best!

How did you start in you grooming and how did your business develop

I have been grooming since 2002, starting my career as a work experience student in a well-respected grooming and training school, Canine Design,in conjunction with an animal care course. Three months into my work experience I was offered a full time job. I went on to complete my Level 3 in dog grooming, teacher training and from there I gained my LCGI (Licentiate of the City & Guilds Institute) and my Higher Diploma in dog grooming. After nine years in my well-loved job I opened my own Studio. I am proud to have received many awards over the years for the studio, training school and yearly dog grooming competition.

What were the biggest challenges you have had to overcome?

The hardest thing to overcome was starting my business from scratch in a new area with no clients or students. Over the years I have successfully built the business through word of mouth and I now have very loyal customers and students. It is hard work but I am so glad that I did not let anything get in the way of my dream.

What are the greatest lessons you have learned from grooming?

The greatest lesson for me and something I often say to people is to never stop learning. It is easy to fall behind if you do not continue to improve your skills. I believe that education is the key to success!

Kelly has become a household name!

What elements give you the greatest satisfaction?

In terms of grooming I get the greatest satisfaction from building a bond with my furry clients, grooming and caring for them to the highest standards.

With the student, it is teaching others to pursue their dreams and sharing my knowledge.

What are your views on training for groomers entering this sector?

It is imperative to research the training centre before committing to a course. Check that the tutors are all fully qualified and that the course will provide you with enough professional experience to be able to succeed on your own. If it is worth doing, it is worth doing it right (the first time!). You would be surprised at how many students retrain with us.

What are your views on competing in grooming shows?

I adore competing in competitions around the world. Competitions provide me with the chance to test my skills, learn from others and most importantly network! There are so many amazing people in this industry and these events give us a chance to share our knowledge and share our love for the industry.

What plans/aspirations do you have for the future?

I look forward to being able to host my annual dog grooming competition again. I have missed this event dearly because it attracts the most wonderful people from all over the country!

What is your favourite dog to groom and why?

Oh no, don’t make me choose! I absolutely love grooming all dogs however if I had to pick I would probably choose a Bedlington Terrier because they are one of my favourite breeds!