Best Clipper Blade

[Stacy, Bruno, Molly and Gracie]

Good Morning,

My goldendoodle is needing another cut! I do all of his grooming myself and love what I am learning and the relationship it is building between Bruno and me.

I use the Andis AGC Super 2 speed and it came with a #10 blade. I use the attachable combs to leave his coat longer. I like his coat to be about 3/4 inch in the summer and the combs are always falling off etc. I am looking at a blade that I could use without the combs.

Does anyone have a recommendation? Are there blades that leave the coat 3/4 inch? Are there ones that leave it 1 in? I see some are "slip tooth" and am unsure what that means.

Any wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Wendy and Sully]

I recently purchased an Andis UltraEdge clipper. My old clipper (different brand) had plastic guards that always fell off after getting caught in the hair. My new clipper has metal blades. When you want a different length, you have to remove the blade and replace it with a blade of the desired length. I really prefer this to the guards that snap on. The longest guard I could purchase was one that left the hair at a 3/4 length. I also purchased one that leaves it at 1/2. My dog's hair is a very thick wooly fleece. I was having a difficult time with both these blades due to the thick coat - or perhaps my inexperience. I spoke with an Andis rep yesterday who recommended that I purchase a skip tooth blade to do a rough cut and then finish it off with the finish coat blade (which I already own). The longest length for the skip tooth is 1/2". I ordered one yesterday and am anxious to get it so I can try it out. I'm fairly new at this too and am learning as I go. I don't know if this has helped at all, but I find that if you stick with it, the process becomes easier and I'm sure my dog prefers being groomed at home - so it's all worth it. Good luck!

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I just want to let you know what a professional groomer told me.  You really have to be careful using a skip-tooth blade if you are new at grooming.  I am sure Barb (our Grooming Great ) here on DK will (hopefully) chime in here, but I have avoided using a skip tooth blade ever since I was cautioned about it. 

The no. 10 blade is one of the few blades that works well with attachments, longer blades don't accept and work with attachments as easily. 

I have been using plastic attachments that  clip under the base of the snap-on blade and they do not fall off.  The stainless steel clip on attachment I purchased seems to leave lines or paths when I used it, which I don't like.

I have called PetEdge for advice when I purchase blades and find they are very helpful and will spend time answering questions even without a purchase being made.  I personally recommend them; I had a back order with them for a product they were unable to obtain and they actually called me to tell me they could not get it.  They seem to be a company that really does care about its customers.

I also have the Andis 2 speed and have used it now for several years and love it. 

[Wendy and Sully]

I'm a little concerned now about the skip tooth blade I purchased. Can you tell me what you were cautioned about?

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I think, not too sure to be honest, that it could nick the skin if used on a close cut, I also have had poodles that we kept trimmed short.  But there was also the possibility that it left uneven lines on a coat that would be difficult to finish smoothly.  (Again, I hope Barb steps in here for better info.)  Barb, where are you??????

[Cynthia and Magic]

Barb recommended the 3/4 skip tooth for my doodle when I couldn't get through his thick wooly coat. It works great. I can't use the plastic attachments at all - they just pull right off and get tangled in his curls. The skip tooth should only be used on areas where there isn't loose skin (don't use on the armpits and under the neck) but they work fab on the back - and that is where most of the thick curly hair is. I also find it helps to scissor it a bit shorter when his hair is too long before using the clipper.

Barb is the expert - she will fill in the details!

[Bonne Bouche]

I purchased the 3/4 inch blade (NOT skip toothed) and it does NOT work on my doodle. Good thing it works for my DH or I'd be out the $20 bucks...

I used the 4fc which is just under 1/4 inch. Its quite short, but the fur grows fast and its easy to manage.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I find Quincy had to be brushed really, really well, if not the plastic guard tends to pop off easily. If it happens to pop off I just go back and brush that area again until the guard goes through easily.