professional dog grooming scissors

A: The straight dog grooming scissors come in a variety of sizes from very small (4.5") to very long (9"). The smaller sized dog grooming scissors are used best on feet, ear edges, around the eyes and other areas that require small hairs to be removed.

A: In dog grooming, straight scissors are a multipurpose tool for general grooming. They create sharp, straight lines and a crisp finish to the coat. If bull nose scissors aren't available, with extra care, straight scissors can also be used in delicate areas.

A: Additionally, the blade settings and cutting mechanisms of dog grooming clippers are not calibrated for the specific needs and requirements of human hair. This can make it challenging to achieve the desired length, style, and precision that is typically expected when cutting human hair.

A: Straight Shears are used to set patterns, for shaping, and for finish work. See Specifications and Links for all Straight Shears. Curved Shears are used to fine tune shaping and set angulation for specific areas. The larger the shear the more gradual the curve so the larger shears are better suited for larger dogs.

A: Straight scissors allow more exact straight-line cutting, while curved scissors provide an advantage in curved cuts and for removing small tissue attachments. The very small iris and tenotomy scissors are best used for fine or intricate work.

A: You have options for standard scissor tips. Both blades may be blunt, both may be sharp, or you can have one of each. The blades may be curved or straight. Curved blades provide a better visual of the working area and straight blades can be used for any type of incision.

A: The location of your thumb rings will be dependent on whether they're either straight or off. Straight scissors will place your thumb right beneath the 3rd fingers. An offset scissor will place your fingers in an a natural place. This is simply an issue of comfort.

A: Sharp groomer's shears are an essential tool of the trade–the high-quality kind may even last for as long as 20 years, if not more. This largely depends on maintenance, however, as the original edge will require professional sharpening annually.

A: Clean your scissors after every use by wiping away loose hair and debris. Invest in some Barbicide or other anti-bacterial wash that is compatible with your scissors, and clean and dry them thoroughly once you've finished trimming your dog's coat.

A: At least once a week, you should oil your scissors at the pivot point. On average, how often should my shears be serviced? We recommend having any shears that you use on a regular basis serviced at least once a year. They need to be cleaned, set and balanced, even if they are still sharp.

A: It's more precise when cutting near the ears, around the head, feet and on area's of the dog's body where angulation is required. Compared to straight dog grooming scissors, curved scissors can help produce smoother edges that give off a more natural look to the dog.

A: Stainless steel
Stainless steel remains the most durable and most affordable material for scissors and clippers' blades. There are fancy new materials and alloys but stainless steel has been around forever and is still on top of the cutting edge game.

A: Oiling your hair scissors
Any type of pivot point in metal needs to stay lubricated to turn, or in this case to cut smoothly. At least twice a week you should be using a few drops of oil on your hair scissors, both inside edges of the blades and close to the pivot point.

A: Whether you are a novice or a professional dog groomer. With proper care and maintenance, a good pair can last upwards of 20-years. Plan on sharpening your shears at least once a year.

A: The scissors that groomers use are delicate precision instruments and require a sharpening technique that matches. A quality sharpener should be using a flat hone-style machine. These machines are ideal for beauty, barber and grooming scissors, as they can sharpen convex and semi-convex edges.

A: One big difference between thinning shears and other types is that they have teeth on one side and a regular blade (or sometimes more than one) on the other.

A: To keep your blades sharper for longer, only ever use your scissors for dog grooming. If you can avoid it, don't cut through large chunks of dog hair or dirty hair, as this can overwork and blunt the blades. Finally, be mindful not to drop your scissors as this can damage their blades and alignment.

A: Once the scissors are clean, it's important to disinfect them to eliminate any remaining pathogens. You can either use 70% isopropyl alcohol or disinfectant wipes. Moisten a clean cloth or wipe with the disinfectant and thoroughly wipe down the entire surface of the scissors, including the blades and handles.