How to Sharpen Clipper Blades: 7 Steps to Restore Your Cutting Edge (2024)

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As sharp as a tack—that is what your clipper blades ought to be. Tired of working with tugs and uneven cuts? You’re about to become a blade-sharpening master in no time.

In 7 easy steps, learn how to professionally sharpen clipper blades and give them their cutting edge back. This guide will walk you through it—from gathering the required tools to troubleshooting any possible issues.

Practice a little and you will master the trick of keeping your clippers running so that you can take smooth and accurate cuts, always.

Get ready to take control of your grooming game.

How to Sharpen Clipper Blades?

To sharpen clipper blades, you’ll need a whetstone, water, and some basic tools. Start by disassembling your clippers, carefully noting screw locations. Clean the blades thoroughly, removing any debris or rust.

For sharpening, soak your whetstone and use the coarse side first, maintaining a consistent angle. Apply firm, even pressure in up-and-down, side-to-side, and circular motions. Move to finer grits for polishing.

Once sharpened, dry the blades completely and reassemble your clippers. Don’t forget to oil the blades for smooth operation.

With these steps, you’ll breathe new life into your dull clippers and achieve a precision cut. Dive deeper to master the art of blade maintenance.

Tools and Materials Needed

Ready to sharpen your clipper blades? Let’s gear up! You’ll need a few important things while you sit down to begin.

First of all, get yourself a good whetstone; this will be the center of your whole sharpening process. Take one which has multiple grits on it for a precise job. Keep some water in a bowl near you to make sure you’ll be able to dampen the stone from time to time.

You’ll also want a towel and some paper towels ready for cleaning. You never know when you might need to disassemble, so have a Phillips head screwdriver handy.

Don’t be cheap on the clipper blade oil; it’s maintenance. In choosing an oil, avoid heavy, dark types since they tend to clog the blades.

Having proper tools makes all the difference in shaving blade maintenance. From here, with these items at hand, you’ll be ready to take on those dull blades and get those hair clippers back in working order!

Disassembling the Clippers

Now, after having gathered all your tools together, you do need to get your clippers apart. First, determine the right screwdriver needed—usually a Phillips head. On your workspace, you want to place a clean towel where all the small parts can keep their order.

You’ll find there are different sizes to the screws; therefore, take note of their location. On the bottom of the clipper blade, you have unscrewed two screws in order to gently unscrew the bottom section. As you take out each part, name it and place it, in sequence, on your towel. This will enable you to merely reassemble the clippers later.

When you can’t pull apart the top two pieces, it isn’t necessary. Some clippers have a small blade which doesn’t pop out easily to separate. If this occurs, then introduce tweezers carefully between the big blade and small one, grasp the small blade, and pull it out.

The proper disassembly is the key to effective sharpening; therefore, don’t rush and make sure you note how everything fits together.

Cleaning and Removing Debris

Now that the clippers are apart, it’s time to take care of the grime. Doing this will maintain the sharpness and rustlessness of your clipper blades. Hair and dirt are whisked away by scrubbing gently with a wire brush or toothbrush. Let the blade wash or cleaning product sit for stubborn rust and then clean the blades off by wiping them with a fresh, clean towel. Do this again if there’s more than the usual amount of rust buildup or replace the blade if too large an area is damaged.

To evoke emotion in clipper enthusiasts:

• Feel satisfied when you can once more experience the satisfaction of putting your trusty tool back to its former glory.

Sharpening the Blades

Now it’s time to restore your clipper’s cutting edge. Begin by prepping your sharpening stone – soak it for 5-40 minutes, depending on the type. Start with the coarse side, maintaining a consistent blade angle of 30-45 degrees. Apply firm, even sharpening pressure as you move the blade across the stone. Use three motions: up and down, side to side, and circular. Keep an eye on your progress, checking blade cleanliness regularly.

For stubborn blades, you might need to increase pressure or adjust your angle slightly. Once you’ve tackled the coarse grit, move to finer stones for polishing. Remember, less is more with finer grits – use lighter pressure and fewer passes.

If your blades aren’t improving after sharpening, consider repair options. Sometimes, blades are damaged beyond DIY fixing, and replacement might be your best bet.

Reassembling the Clippers

Now, since you sharpened your blades to razor-like precision, you can reassemble your clippers. First of all, dry the blades real good to prevent rust from catching on. Place the small blade on top of the big one; their teeth lock together as if it were a perfect smile. Keep in mind the mental picture that was taken when you were disassembling. Use it to your advantage and piece back up the top pieces, readjusting with screw holes, once more using that picture in your head.

Now it’s time to bring out the mechanic within you: ensure those screws are tightened with caution. Too loose, and your clippers fall apart in the middle of the haircut. Too tight may lead to a damaged part of your clipper. Get it into that Goldilocks zone of tightness for the screw.

Everything is in place, so now you’re almost ready to attack that mane. Hold your horses! There’s still another very important step to take before you can finally let those clippers loose again.

Applying Maintenance and Oiling

Now that you have put your clippers back together, let’s turn to service and oiling. You’ll be keeping your blades in the best condition possible for long life if you do. Here’s what you need to know:

Apply a few drops of clipper oil after every 2-3 uses.

Troubleshooting Issues

Even if your clipper blades are sharpened with the blade guide properly, many things come into play, and you can still run into issues.

First, check your sharpening angle, as it can impart dullness or be the main cause of damage. The next factor is the pressure applied while sharpening; inadequate pressure won’t deliver excellent results, but too much pressure can also cause significant damage.

Did you level the stones first? If stones aren’t level, the blade will be sharpened at different angles.

It’s very important to adequately wash the blades both before and after sharpening. Dirt affects the operation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)