Shop FAQ's

General Equipment Maintenance (GEM) Facebook page

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Blades that CAN be sharpened/serviced.

A5 blade sets, any brand, standard or wide steel blade sets ie Buttercut, Wahl, Heiniger, Andis, Joyzee, Diamond Cut, Oster, Laube etc. 

A5 ceramic blade sets - note that the COMB ONLY is sharpened, whilst the ceramic cutter is replaced, as ceramic cutters cannot be sharpened.

Horse or livestock steel blade sets

Adjustable blades (5-in-1, 4-in-1 etc) - For all adjustable blades, only the comb is sharpened but the cutter has to be replaced, as they are not designed to be sharpened as per manufacturer’s guidelines. Replaceable cutters are currently only available for Wahl Bravura, Wahl Arco, Wahl Creativa & Wahl Figura and any other brand that uses compatible blades to these makes/models. For any other brands please check with us first.

Midi Trimmers - any brand of ‘Midi’ sized trimmers.

Note although cheaper softer metal blade sets can be sharpened, they don’t sharpen well and are prone to being temperamental after being serviced.

Note while midi trimmers can be sharpened they don’t sharpen well, and are actually not designed to be sharpened as per manufacturer’s guidelines, so are prone to being temperamental after being serviced.

Why can’t I sharpen my own blades?

This is a very specialist service, using machinery specifically designed for animal or hairdressing/barber clipper blades, combined with extensive training and knowledge.  Blades do not have flat surfaces. To ensure they cut instead of 'chew' or fold the coat, blades are hollow ground (allowing blades to cut like tiny scissors), and set to the correct tension. This ensures blades perform their best, run cooler and quieter, and won't put the clipper blade drive or motor under extra strain. Your blade will retain a sharper edge for longer, resulting in more uses between sharpens.

Hollow grinding can only be done on equipment designed to create a hollow in the blade, it is not something you can do at home. Good hollow grinding machines cost thousands, so buying a ‘cheap’ alternative isn’t going to help you and may ruin your blades completely. 

Why can’t I just replace the cutter?

Both the comb and the cutter need to be sharpened and they both need to be adjusted to ensure they work together. If you are only replacing the cutter, only one half of your blade set will be sharp therefore the blade may not perform effectively. The cutter also needs to be the exact size, thickness etc of the cutter you are replacing. Lastly, if the rails on the comb are too low, ie. the blade is beyond sharpening and should go to blade heaven, a replacement cutter is negligible. 

Which clipper blades CAN be sharpened?

Blades that CAN be sharpened/serviced.

A5 blade sets, any brand, standard or wide steel blade sets ie Buttercut, Wahl, Heiniger, Andis, Joyzee, Diamond Cut, Oster, Laube etc. 

A5 ceramic blade sets - note that the COMB ONLY is sharpened, whilst the ceramic cutter is replaced, as ceramic cutters cannot be sharpened.

Horse or livestock steel blade sets

Adjustable blades (5-in-1, 4-in-1 etc) - For all adjustable blades, only the comb is sharpened but the cutter has to be replaced, as they are not designed to be sharpened as per manufacturer’s guidelines. Replaceable cutters are currently only available for Wahl Bravura, Wahl Arco, Wahl Creativa & Wahl Figura and any other brand that uses compatible blades to these makes/models. For any other brands please check with us first.

Midi Trimmers - any brand of ‘Midi’ sized trimmers.

Note although cheaper softer metal blade sets can be sharpened, they don’t sharpen well and are prone to being temperamental after being serviced.

Note while midi trimmers can be sharpened they don’t sharpen well, and are actually not designed to be sharpened as per manufacturer’s guidelines, so are prone to being temperamental after being serviced.

Which clipper blades CAN'T be sharpened?

Blades that CANNOT be sharpened.

Any blades that have plastic components on the comb or cutter, even if the bulk is metal, cannot be sharpened. 

A5 Ceramic cutters - whilst the metal comb can be sharpened, the ceramic cutter cannot. When sending in these blade sets for servicing the cutter is replaced with a new one.

‘Mini’ trimmers - any brand. Anything smaller than a ‘midi’ trimmer size cannot be sharpened as the metal is too thin and are actually not designed to be sharpened as per manufacturer’s guidelines.

Adjustable/trimmer ceramic blade sets - ie. Codos etc cannot be sharpened.

If we receive any blades that cannot be sharpened for any reason, we will let you know why and it will be refunded back to you. We will return it to you, with any other blades you have had serviced.

Clipper Blade Maintenance and Blade Anatomy

How to reduce the tension on your A5 clipper blades.

How put back your cutter if it pops off your blade set when cleaning