clipper blades dull already??

[Brandi]

ok, this grooming thing is pretty new to me. I have 2 dudes, my one sister has 2, my other sister has 1 and my bestest friend has 1, with a total of 6 dudes in the family we all decided to go in together and purchase a nice set of clippers and start grooming our own to save money.  The clippers we purchased were recommended by a few people.  I purchased the Wahl Stable Pro 8886. They have been used approx 5 times and now they are dull.  Being new to the clipper thing, is this normal?  Are they supposed to go dull that quickly.  Just wondering if I had gotten a "lemon" clipper.  If its normal then Im gonna be stocking up on clipper blades lol.  They do work wonderfully and have had no problems till now.  Thanx in advance for any information :)

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

How long the blade lasts is variable.

Things that shorten the life of a blade

wet coat

unwashed coat

thick coat

wiry coat

curly coat

cutting at the wrong angle.

To get maximum time from a blade, you need to wash and blow dry the coat while brushig it. Technique has some effect. Based on the use of your blade, it might need sharpening.

I have 4 size 10's. I save 2 for clean coats. Then I can switch blades when they get hot and I have 2 I use for coat prep before a bath.

[Brandi]

Thank u Barb for the reply. When I wash my dudes, I don't blow dry them.  I let them air dry for several hours usually about 4 to 5 hrs and then brush them out real good to make sure they are dry to the skin.  Is blow drying them easier on the blades??  I had no idea there was so much to learn in the grooming area.  Practice makes perfect right?? lol

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

Guess that's why it takes 4 to 6 months full time school. I think many of you are doing a great job taking on a difficult subject.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

where do you get blades sharpened?  And how do you know when they are dull?  do they just stop cutting?

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

They start to miss patches and the coat gets 'split ends' like the coat was tearing instead of cutting clean.  The split ends show up a while later when the coat is growing again.

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

Barb thank you for commenting of this question.  I have also wondered about the angle thing.  What is the correct

angle to use.  When I watch groomers at the shops they often hold the blade on what looks like a 45 degree angle.  I usually cut on a flat, parallel to the skin angle, afraid to nick my dogs skin.   Thank you for any response.