How do you keep your blades sharp and/or how do you Sharpen Them?

[MYT Farms]

Hi all,
I was wondering how you guys sharpened your blades and what you did to keep them sharp and undamaged. My very favorite super blocking blade got one of the teeth chipped out of it and now I have to get a brand new one.  So I wanted to know what to do in the future to keep and sharp, fault free blade.
Thanks

 

[shortyjock89]

You have to get new ones if they get chipped? Lol I've clipped a lot of calves with dinged up blades. Best thing I can tell ya is to be careful and don't drop them or bang them against the chute. 

We take ours to a place that makes a business of sharpening things...knives, mower blades, and even clipper blades now.  Either that, or we take them to Sullivan's and they send them back if they're not done by the end of the show.

 

[ROMAX]

You can get by with chipped or broken teeth as long as your not doing a show job,just skinning them out at home etc. Itake my blades to a sharpening and repair place and have had good luck so far,but thats just with flat head and shearing blades. I have not done any of my ANDIS blades yet i was kinda wondering how many sharpenings before thy have to be replaced?

 

[ROAD WARRIOR]

Blade covers are a good investment for the blades you have on your clippers when not in use. I sharpen my own blades except for the blades that fit the andis. After I'm done sharpening the blades I make sure they are very clean and I wrap them individually in oil socked towels. I have a tackle box that has many compartments in it that I store the blades in. Store in a clean dry place to prevent damage and rusting. RW

 

[kfacres]

I sharpen my own blades.. have a two sided wheel.. One for flatheads, the other side is bevelded for sheep heads..  Of coarse being mainly a sheep kid that side gets used much more often...  I also have a 20 tooth sheep comb, that I usually use on the cattle, due to it being so much easier to sharpen.. Rarely do I use anyother kind of blade.  But then again,  I don't clip the cattle for much more than a county fair here or there...  And typically our cattle are the only ones clipped.  Basically I just peel the front end, level the topline, and do the tail... Just rough cut outs... Also, our cattle are the hairyest creatures on the planet, nor an I the worlds' greatst cattle fitter...

But put my agains anyone with a set of hand trimmer, electrics, and a sheep trimming stand....  Bout as good as anyone..

 

[MYT Farms]

OK, thanks, I guess I'll get along with the chipped blade for now. I'll be able to grab a new one when they get in stock at the Co-op. It leaves a trail of hair a little longer than the rest of the blade, but I reckon going over stuff twice won't be too bad.  ;D I think I will use my clipper box for storage only now I'll be sure to wrap them in an oiled cloth!!!

 

[braunvieh]

I use my blades to trim 4-5 head for several shows over a  4-5 months period and then once a year have them sharpened when we go to a show like Ft Worth or Denver. Sullivans or someone like them usually has a sharpening service. I can usually tell they cut better after a sharpening but IMO after time I think they need replaced. I had a pair of flat heads that even after sharpening was not cutting easily and was clogging.  Got a new set and they run like a dream. Those blades had lasted 10+ years of occasional use.

 

[inthebarnagain]

The trick to keeping them lasting longer is to keep them clean and lubed with good quality stuff.  There is a lot of junk out there that will not help keep a set cool and that is what will ruin a blade quicker than anything.

 

[MYT Farms]

The trick to keeping them lasting longer is to keep them clean and lubed with good quality stuff.  There is a lot of junk out there that will not help keep a set cool and that is what will ruin a blade quicker than anything.

Nice to have that warning. What are some good quality running lubes and some good quality storage lubes?

 

[inthebarnagain]

IMO, the Laube products are the best.  There is a product called blade wash that is purple and comes in gallon jugs, you put a little bit in the bottom of a bowl and dip the blades as you are clipping or clean them when you are done clipping for storage.  In an aerosol there is Dr. Slick, that stuff will actually form ice on the bottom side of the blade when you spray it on it cools so quickly.  Never been a fan of Kool Lube.