How do I prevent blade teeth from breaking?

As damage to blade teeth is not covered by blade or comb manufacturer warranties, we recommend taking extra care when using any length or brand of blade with a comb attachment on. Very short blades in particular, like the #30 and #40, have even finer teeth, so can be more prone to damage.

Take extra care to never drop or knock your blade. Although the metal that blades are made of is hard and durable, the teeth are sharp and fine, and can be damaged by a knock or drop, even from a small height, or when placed down without care, or on the wrong angle.

When sending blades for sharpening, always wrap them well and wrap each individually.

Only use comb attachments on the blade lengths they are rated for (comb attachments do not fit all blade lengths). We recommend using #10 or #15 blades under most comb attachments rather than a #30 to reduce the risk of damage to blade teeth (most comb attachments fit on #10 #15 and #30 blades but do check the product information or packaging first). 

Check comb attachment teeth regularly. Comb teeth can become distorted, bent, or go out of alignment over time from normal use, or due to a knock or drop, causing comb teeth to hit the blade teeth. This is the most common cause of blade teeth breaking. Also regularly check your combs securely fit on your blades. If a comb moves or slips during use this can also knock or break blade teeth. Old combs may not fit new blades as securely, so take extra care when using new blades to check combs fit well, are straight and secure, before use.

Keeping blades well cared for will also help reduce teeth damage.

Blades are rust resistant not rust-proof. Any blade can rust – and surprisingly quickly - but with correct care you can prevent it.  Always oil blades before and again straight after use. If storing blades for a long period of time, check and oil them every so often. Only store blades in a dry environment, ideally in a protective blade case.  Moisture in the air can quickly rust blades, even if oiled.  Do not store blades in humid or wet areas.

After every use: Remove grit, dander, dust, product build-up and fur after use.  Use an old toothbrush or clean towel.  Move the blade far left and far right.  Brush any obvious hair off the cutting surface.  Using spray or oil while the clipper’s running, or a blade bath (but only dip the blade, never wet the clipper), wash any remaining bits of fur from in between the teeth.  Once clean, always oil blades before storage.

Avoid taking clipper blades apart. It’s time-consuming and may stop the blade working if not put back together just right. Store with only a light, thin covering of oil. Always wipe off excess oil before storage. Search our help section for 'how to oil'.