Some blades go through an ice-tempering process that helps them to stay cooler and also prevents rust. Silver is used because it has antimicrobial properties that can prevent the spread of bacteria, mold, or mildew in settings where many dogs are groomed in close proximity. There are different benefits to each type of metal used in the steel.Ĭarbon tends to be stronger, and these blades tend to stay sharp longer. They can be made from titanium, silver, or carbon, and they often have a chrome finish. Stainless steel blades are the most common blade in electric dog clippers. The right blade for you will depend on your dog, the style of cut you will give him, how often you intend to groom, and some other factors. There are pros and cons to each type of material, and there are also coatings that can change blades made from the same material. Most dog clipper blades are made out of steel or ceramic. If you regularly groom your short-haired dog, you may only need a fine-tooth blade to give your dog’s coat a trim every month or so.

If you used a skip tooth blade for the original cut, you could use a fine-tooth blade to give the cut a finer finish. You can tell if you are using a fine-tooth blade because they are marked with an F after the blade number. They work best on fine or thin hair, and if you do try to use them to cut through matted hair, you will get frustrated because they will get stuck. They also make your dog’s coat feel softer than skip tooth blades. Many groomers use skip tooth blades to give the dog a quick overall cut before they wash them and then finish grooming with a different blade.įine tooth blades provide you with a cleaner, smoother look. They will leave the dog’s coat with a layered look because they don’t trim evenly depending on how much hair has to be fed through the blades.

Skip tooth blades feed the dog’s hair into the clippers, and this feeding process is what enables them to cut through almost any type of fur.

Andis dog clipper blades chart