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Why do my clipper blades drag walkthrough

Are the clipper blades sharpened

One of the things I check when I'm inspecting clipper blades is whether or not they just need a fresh grind to restart their performance.

If you’ve been using the same blades for several months, especially during pre-shaves then the chances are they’re dull - and a dull blade will drag fur. It’s just not getting around it.

Is the blade drive or blade lever still in good condition

Worn-out blade drives or blade levers cause clipper blades not to cut properly. We recommend with the Andis every 4-6 weeks. Everybody else recommends every 2-3 months. They’re just a few dollars and save you many headaches.

Is the clipper blade well-lubricated with oil

If your blades had been sharpened, and you know that you've got a good blade drive or blade lever in there.

Then the next thing you should look at, is oil.

If the blade isn’t being oiled regularly:

• it will get hot
• it will seize up
• and it won’t make a fast enough stroke to cut the hair.
  

Is there proper tension in the clipper blade

If you know you’ve been oiling your blade a lot and it’s still not doing that, we would look at tension.

You should be able to take your cutter blade and push it out to the side with your thumb.

It shouldn’t hurt your thumb but it shouldn’t slide out super easily.

If it does slide out super easily, it probably didn’t have enough tension which will cause it to drag.

Or if you can’t move it at all it’s probably over-tensioned which is causing higher friction it’ll cause it to seize up and not make a full stroke to cut the hair.

Is the Hinge of the clipper blade still working?

If the tension on your blade is good, and the blade lever is good, and you’ve had the blade sharpened, and you’ve been oiling it. The next thing you should look at is the hinge.

Take your hinge - any kind of hinge - and if it’s closed and you can open it at all with your fingernails, then it’s worn out, and time to replace it.

That means it’s not holding the blades securely against the clipper which will cause it to drag hair.

Also, make sure your screws are tight on your hinge.

A lot of times the screws will back out and once again it’s not holding the blades properly on the clipper which will cause it to drag.

Clipper Repair Services

If you're having trouble with your clipper blades and they're not cutting properly, head to our Clipper Repair Service page and fill out the form and we'll be more than happy to help you get back to what you do best in no time. 

Jessie Jaggers

Growing up in a family-run grooming business, Jessie Jaggers saw firsthand the need for reliable tool sharpening.

In 2017, he launched Sharp Edges, emphasizing quality tools and top-tier materials.

With a commitment to fast delivery and top-notch service, Jessie ensures that every Sharp Edges product meets the highest standards, reflecting his passion for excellence in the grooming industry.

With Jessie at the helm, customers can trust in the expertise and dedication of Sharp Edges.