Easy Steps to Change Detachable Clipper Blades - Tutorial & Video

From top to bottom:  Detachable blades, shears, and 5-in-1 for trimmers.

What are Detachable Clipper Blades?

• Horse clippers come in three styles – shears, body clippers, and trimmers.

• Shears are large, powerful, and have a wide blade with lots of room in between the blade’s teeth. They are best for extra-thick coats and clipping multiple horses in one day. Their two-piece blades screw onto the clipper body.

• Body clippers are smaller yet powerful enough to clip an entire horse and trim most coats. This clipper style has detachable blades that pop on and off to change how much hair remains when you clip.

• Trimmers are handy little clippers for bridle paths, wayward hair, and fast touch-ups. Their blades are 5-in-1 and change from a #9, #10, #15, #30, and #40 with your thumb without switching to a new blade.

The Basics of Clipper Blades

• All clipper blades have two parts: the cutter and the comb. The comb rests against your horse, and the cutter is the portion that moves side to side to cut the hair.

• For detachable blades and 5-in-1 blades, the cutter and comb connect into one piece. For shears, the cutter and comb are separate.

• Most blades, for any clipper style, are numbers and show how much hair remains in mm.

This detachable blade shows the size #10 and 1.8 mm of hair remaining. 

How blades are numbered

Detachable blades and 5-in-1 blades are numbered. The higher the number, the more hair remains.

For horse clipping, you would usually use a #10 for a body clip or trace clip. You could use a #7F to leave more hair if you like, but if you move to a #15, there’s much less hair left. A #40 or #50 blade is considered surgical and in vet medicine to prep wounds and prepare for procedures.

Here is a simple guide to common clipper blade sizes and their uses:

**The #10 from two manufacturers may leave different amounts of hair.**

How detachable blades connect to the clipper body

• A handy hinge opens to change blades and snaps shut to secure the new blade onto the clipper body.

• There’s also a lever that helps release the blade and is usually perfect for your thumb to press.

Press up on this lever to open the hinge.

How to Change Blades

• It’s as simple as:

• Press the lever to open the hinge

• Wipe the area on the clipper body to remove hair, excess oil, and dust. Use rags, a brush, or a pipe cleaner.

• You should sanitize the area with a spray cleaner, then remove the excess with a cloth.

• Put the new blade on the hinge.

• Here’s the trick – turn the clippers on first.

• Then, you can snap the hinge closed. When the clippers are on, everything is aligned.

Oil along the teeth and where the clipper and comb touch on the sides.

Prep the new blades for use

• If these blades are brand new, you can oil them. That’s it!

• Otherwise you can brush out any hair, sanitize them, then oil.

Where to apply clipper oil

• Drop three drops of oil across the clipper teeth, one on each end and one drop in the middle.

• Then, put a drop where the clipper and comb touch the sides of the blades. You want to oil to coat areas where the cutter and comb connect to reduce friction and heat.

• Turn the blades on briefly and wipe away any extra.

If you accidentally close the hinge without a blade

• Well, this is the perfect excuse to cuss a lot. Or, grab a thin hoof pick or flathead screwdriver to pry the hinge open gently. You don’t want to damage the hinge, which could interfere with alignment.

This silver hinge is open, and you can clearly see the new drive tip and it’s square corners. 

Don’t void your warranty when you change detachable clipper blades

• If you notice that the drive tip is rounded and worn, you can replace it yourself for most clipper models. Or, you can send your clippers off for service. Send them to the manufacturer or an authorized service center to keep the warranty.

How often should I change my clipper blades?

If you only clip clean horses, clean and oil your clipper blades every five minutes as you clip, and properly clean, sanitize, oil, and store your blades, you can body clip several horses without sharpening. If you have done all those things, had the blades sharpened, and they are pulling the hair, not cutting well, or leaving wavy hair, it’s time to use new blades.

Can I use any blade with my clipper?

Use the blades that your clipper’s manufacturer suggests. Most body clippers using detachable blades will accept detachable blades from other brands. Mixing and matching may void the warranty; your owner’s manual should specify that. Otherwise, feel free to change detachable clipper blades from like brands.

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