Q&A for How to Sharpen Hair Clippers

Your clipper could be pulling because the blades are dull or misaligned, or it could just be that your hair is tangled or that you are moving the clipper too quickly.

Yes; you'll need to disassemble the clipper and clean the blade, then use a whetstone.

You should only use clipper oil. Other oils may corrode the blade. You can find professional clipper oil at any beauty supply store.

You'll need to loosen the screws that hold the blades together and align the teeth of the blades so that they're parallel, then retighten the screws.

The video appears to be incorrect. You want to move the blade forward because the fine grinding will sharpen from the edge toward the blunt end (similar to a knife, chisel, or mower blade).

Yes, that is the case sometimes.

Yes. You can buy new blades online or at hair supply stores.

Yes, you can.

Yes, it's the same thing.

There are a number of sharpening stones available on Amazon.

The oil won't sharpen the blades on its own, but applying it regularly does prevent rust and helps blade stay sharper longer by creating a lubricated edge.

Yes. After each use, brush the excess hair off, dry them if necessary (if clipping wet hair), apply some oil to the blades, and turn them on for a few seconds to work the oil in.

Even blades are a finish cut, they leave a smoother finish. The staggered blades cut through thick hair, removing more at a time. Dogs with under fur can more easily be trimmed with the staggered tooth blade, and finished with smooth if you want. Those dogs without under fur will be served well by the fine-toothed blade only.

You should oil your blade before, during, and after you use it. You can NEVER over-oil a clipper blade. Doing this will extend the life of both the blade and the motor.

You can use a few drops of clipper oil; it doesn't take much.

You may have flipped the adjustment lever on the clipper that retracts the blade to greater than the recommended distance.

Sharpening both sides ensures a level plane when they are flush. But if you do decide to sharpen the comb, do the higher grit whetstones. The grit should be around 8000 grit. If you sharpen the comb and test it on hair. It may grab and catch hair. If it does that, keep honing until it is sliding though hair smoothly. To your question regarding the 3 pairs of clipper blades not cutting after sharpening them, the issue is likely your whetstone: "flatten" the stone before using again.

No. You should only use clipper oil, as other oils may corrode the blade. You can find professional clipper oil at any beauty supply store; it's inexpensive.

If you are looking for an oil that can be used to specifically sharpen the blade like a mineral oil, try Wahl's clipper oil, or any brand that works. Clipper oil itself is a light-type of mineral oil used for small instruments, like clippers.

Yes, you can use a petroleum-based solution as honing oil to sharpen hair scissors, as water-based solutions can cause rust. The use of honing oil will help carry the swarf (grains) away for a cleaner surface. I would recommend taking your shears to a professional, though.

It depends on the breed of your dog, or if mixed breed, which breed your dog's hair most resembles. Do a search for grooming that specific breed and be prepared to fall down a rabbit hole of information on brands of clippers and types of blades. It makes a huge difference to have the correct tools so don't give up. Both you and your dog will be happier for it.

Yes, it's the same oil actually, and therefore will not affect the blades negatively.