How to best keep blades cool during haircuts

[Karina]

I groom my Rosie and I noticed how hot the blades get. I try to change out the blades, but since I don't have 2 of each blade I have to do the whole haircut in jumps, 2 feet, jump to body, etc. keep all blades oiled...

 

What is better to have 2 of the same blade to do all of the feet first, and then do the rest with 2 blades that get interchanged when one gets hot and may be cool the hot blade in cold water? do professionals have multiple shavers and multiple blades per shaver? also, what do groomers wear. after a haircut I look like a light apricot bear myself and the hair always flies onto my face and eyes.

 

Since I got my new blades last month my haircut time has been cut in half. I used to be proud of a 7 hour haircut, now I am down to 3 hours and then of course the face touch ups spread to a few minutes every day for a week.

 

I would appreciate any tips to make the haircut faster and more comfortable for my Rosie.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Karina...I got on line one of those nylon zipper smocks (with paw prints) with pockets for grooming.  I know well the apricot bear look!!!!  I do think that the professionals do use several clippers for the cooling. There is also a spray that is called a blade coolant that you can spray on the blade but I don't think it is all that great.  I did find that my Oster A5 2-speed clippers got really hot and my new Andis Ultra clippers don't get nearly as hot and are lighter weight and much quieter!  Do you use comb attachments?  I never take the straight blade to Gracie.  I always use a comb...even in the sanitary area.  I don't want to give Gracie razor burn so I will use the closest comb attachment they make.  The comb attachments keep the haircut cool.  The heat of the blade never transfers to the Doodle.  This is how you can get through a 3 hour cut without changing clippers or blades.  I just work with a #10 blade or #15.  The blade number isn't as critical if you are using comb attachments.  You can only get as close to the skin as the attachment will allow.  Though not all size blades are compatible with the attachments.  You are always safe with the #10.  For feet I have a little Oster mini clipper that is battery charged.  Though I usually end up using scissors mostly.  Just remember...the comb attachments are the key!!

[Karina]

thank you so much for the info. i just checked my shaver type and it is Andis. darn...i guess the warm is always going to be a factor.

 

awesome tip about the blade guards...i have a few and will use them now. thank you!!!

 

my favorite new blade is the 5/8 for the feet. i go really fast before it gets hot and it does feet really well.

[Sandra Griffith]

The spray is called Kool Lube.  In my shop I had multiple blades and checked them on the inside of my wrist for heat regularly.  It really doesn't matter if you just switch out what you are doing or not.  One thing though- do not put your clipper blades in water as they can rust.  I would oil mine regularly to prevent rusting.

[Stella]

I spray my blade with a cooling spray.  If you have a comb on though, the blade shouldn't be touching the dogs skin so it shouldn't burn them.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Yep...the comb attachment keeps the hot blade off the Doodle.  I have never had to stop grooming because the blades got too hot.  They do too because I have touched them myself when holding my clippers.  We do take breaks during grooming so that helps too!