How to sharpen Dog Grooming Scissors?

Regular Sharpening of Dog Grooming Scissor is key to their performance and longevity!

To ensure that each dog grooming scissor has a long-lasting sharp cutting edge, keeping them sharp is an essential part of any dog groomer's business as dull scissors, when used, can cause untidy trims and fatigue, making it harder to get the best results when cutting every time. Sharpening the dog grooming scissors on time, will make a big difference in their performance and longevity.

There are additional vital practices which it is advised a dog groomer follow in order to maintain and preserve the dog grooming scissor's longevity.

These are;

• holding the scissors correctly, 
• cleaning the dog grooming scissors,
• oiling the scissors,
• checking and correct the scissor's tension,
• storing the scissors safely
• Sharpening each grooming scissor as and when it starts to feel dull.

One of the most frequently asked questions is 'How often do dog grooming scissors need be sharpened?' The general rule on how often dog grooming scissors should be sharpened is approximately between every 4-6 months. This does depend on the individual scissor itself and how often the dog groomer uses that particular scissor. 

So what are the signs that a dog grooming scissor may need sharpening?

In the following cases a pair of dog grooming scissors should be serviced and sharpened:

• If the scissor feels dull and pulls the hair rather than cuts;
• If the scissor does not cut along the entire blade;
• If you have to use excess pressure on the blade to cut;
• If the scissor has been dropped (on the ground or grooming table);
• If the tension screw is no longer able to turn left or right;
• If the tension screw falls out and the parts of the tension system are missing. 

It is highly advised that a dog groomer should NEVER attempt to sharpen their own dog grooming scissors with a knife sharpener or similar. It is very likely that they will cause permanently damage to the cutting edge of the blades and the scissors themselves.

Dog grooming scissors are made from various types of metal and there is specific engineering involved in their designs. In order to sharpen properly and safely, a dog grooming scissor sharpener requires in-depth knowledge of scissor engineering and the specific equipment. It is recommended for a dog groomer to opt for a professional dog grooming scissor sharpening service for best results. 

How to choose a Dog Grooming Scissor Sharpener?

When researching a trustworthy dog grooming scissor sharpener, it is highly recommended to considering the following:

• Level of the sharpener's experience and skill.
• Their knowledge and understanding of the metals used and how to sharpen these different types of metals.
• Their knowledge and expertise of working with different blade edge types.
• Their knowledge and understanding of the unique scissor design and their individual grooming tasks.
• If you are a left-handed dog groomer with left-handed scissors, does the scissor sharpener have the knowledge and expertise to sharpen them? Sharpening left-handed scissors has a very different technique compared to sharpening right-handed dog grooming scissors.
• Reviews and recommendations. It is advised to check their reviews before committing to a scissor sharpener.
• Do they have respect for dog grooming scissor, what task the individual dog grooming scissor performs and the scissor's design?

A dog groomers collection of dog grooming scissors is an expensive part of the job, so to ensure that the scissor sharpener which is chosen, understands all dog grooming scissors, respects them and knows how to sharpen them according to their specific tasks.

A Dog Grooming Scissor and Blade Sharpener recommendation.

At Abbfabb Grooming Services Ltd, we work with Andrew Rattray, owner of The Gay Blade Professional Sharpening Services. This is a professional sharpening service for all domestic and professional dog grooming scissors, pet grooming scissors, clippers and clipper blades. All dog grooming scissors and clipper blades are also fully serviced and are returned safely and sharper than before.

Andrew is always more than happy to answer queries you may have, so if you do have any questions, please either contact our sharpening engineer, Andrew Rattray on 07939363800 or message Andrew at  The Gay Blade.