How to Sharpen Wahl Clippers

Many breeds of dog, including poodles, cocker spaniels, and schnauzers, are routinely clipped to help maintain a neat, clean appearance and reduce shedding. Wahl clippers are known for their reliability and ease of use. Sharpening Wahl clippers is not difficult, but is necessary for proper clipping.

It's relatively easy to maintain and care for clipper blades, and takes very little time and effort. The steps are generally the same for most brands, but it's always a good idea to read the instructions before you start, just in case.

Remove the blades from your clippers by loosening the screws on the underside of the blade. Wahl clippers have an upper blade and a lower blade, so you will need to remove both. Brush any loose dirt or hair from your blades with the clipper brush. The clipper brush is small and made with stiff bristles so it will remove the majority of debris from your blades.

Pour a small amount of blade cleaner into a bowl and place your blades inside. Allow them to soak for 10 minutes to loosen any grime that remains in between the clipper blade teeth. Set them on a clean towel and wipe them completely dry.

If you want to save money on commercial clipper blade cleaners, there are some good recipes online for homemade cleaners.

Turn your blade sharpener on, and apply a small amount of Wahl clipper blade oil to the sharpening disk. The disk lies horizontally on the base and moves gently to sharpen the blades, and the oil makes the blades glide evenly across the disk for even sharpening.

Light oils are more desirable if you're looking for a homemade blade oil option, and mineral oil is best. Heavier oils may interfere with the sharpening action.

Attach the magnetic holder to the front of your bottom blade and run it in small circles over the sharpening disk. The circular motion helps to evenly sharpen each blade tooth without wearing them down too quickly. Repeat the sharpening process with the upper blade, adding a couple more drops of oil if the grinding disk becomes dry.

Realign your blades on the body of your clippers, replacing the screws and tightening them firmly. Turn the clippers on and apply a little more oil to protect and lubricate your newly sharpened blades. Allow the blades to run for a minute or two then shut the clippers off and store them properly in the case.

Never use a hot set of blades on your pet. The heat from the metal can easily burn delicate skin. If your blades get hot, spray with a blade coolant and turn them off for a few minutes to allow them to cool down.

One set of clipper blades will need to be sharpened approximately every six months if used for frequent grooming such as shaving schnauzers or poodles. A good indicator that your blades need to be sharpened is an uneven trim. Dull blades will also heat up faster than sharp blades.

Replacement clipper blades are available through most pet retailers, either online or in-store, or from your favorite shopping website.