SCISSOR and CLIPPER BLADE FAQ

SCISSOR FAQ:

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I SHARPEN MY SHEARS?  EVERY 500-600 cuts.
500 to 600  haircuts is a good gauge for every stylist to start thinking of having shears serviced but the type of cutting can affect those numbers.  Whole head dry cutting or cutting dirty hair will diminish the edge life.   Much like regular maintenance on a vehicle, servicing shears at regular intervals, will extend the life of the shears as well as create less stress on the hand, as less pressure is needed by the thumb to cut the hair.

Why are my shears are pushing/bending/folding the hair?
Scissor tension may be too loose. If, when you check the tension, the scissor is slamming together the tension is too loose. This means that the screw in the pivot area is loosening and the blades will start to come apart causing the scissor to “bend” or “fold” the hair rather than cut it. Stylists that do not check tension will start using their thumb to PUSH the blades together to get them cutting again, resulting in abnormally grinding the blades together that dulls them very quickly.

Loose tension will also make a scissor feel like it is dull.

A blade pushing or chasing hair is the result of a dull blade. A dull blade can occur after a drop, or cutting through dirty hair and or dry cutting with an inferior scissor.

Why are my texture/blending shears pulling hair?
Scissor tension may be too loose.   Unlike regular shears when the blades are opened into an “L” shape the blades should not drop but stay fixed in the “L” shape.  Many times if the tension is adjusted the shears do not need to be serviced and will work perfectly.   If the tension is correct and the shears are still pulling or bending sharpening is needed.

Why are my shear pinching/pulling the hair?

• Pinching or pulling hair is caused by a nick on the blade, or scissor tips not coming together completely.
• Be careful not to hit the scissor on a comb or clip when cutting.
• When setting the scissors down, the scissors should be completely closed.
• Check the scissor bumper (silencer) as it may have worked it’s way out or be missing completely resulting in a gap at the tips.
• Cutting anything besides human hair, even wigs labeled as being made of human hair are often treated with chemicals that can be damaging to the blade.
• Dropping your scissor even if a nick is not noticeable my cause poor cutting performance.
• Many small nicks can build up if you are cutting lots of hair that has product in it or when cutting dry hair. These small nicks don’t usually cause pinching as much as they cause “crunchiness” and “bending”.

Why is it important to clean my shears ?
Shears should be cleaned at the end of each day, before being put safely away in a case.  Shears can be cleaned with barbicide or alcohol but then should be wiped completely dry and oiled at the pivot area. Every time they are cleaned they should be oiled to prevent the pivot screw and internal parts from rusting. Clipper blade oil is fine for the job.

CLIPPER BLADES FAQ:

Can clipper blades be sharpened?
Yes, both detachable blades and adjustable blades can be sharpened.  

How long should a clipper blade last?
The lifetime of a blade depends on how often the blades are cleaned and oiled.  Proper maintenance of the blade and the clipper will result in a longer blade life.

How do I care for and clean/oil my blades?
Proper care for blades is essential in maintaining the longevity and cutting performance.  Blades should be oiled after each use.  If your clipper blades leave streaks or slow down, it is a sure sign they need to be oiled.

Start by turning off the clipper and removing fragments of hair from the blade with a clipper brush.  Clean and disinfect the blades by using a blade cleaning product.  One drop of oil at each back rail and 3 drops across the teeth of the blade and across the guide to lubricate the clipper and keep it running at top performance.  After oiling, turn on and let run for 5-10 seconds to disperse the oil then turn off and wipe off any excess oil.

Why should I oil the blades?
Blades are made of metal and oiling them will help reduce corrosion and reduce friction thereby delivering better cutting performance. It is recommended that blades be oiled before and after each use or if the blades are leaving streaks or slow down. 

How do I store my blades?
Storing blades in a low moisture environment is essential to prevent corrosion.  A padded blade storage case or pouch will help to keep them safe and keep them from getting chipped or dropped resulting in broken teeth or misalignment.