Dragon Elite Sharpening Services

Dragon Elite’s Guide to A2 Horse Clipper & Sheep Shearing Blade Care

How to clean, lubricate, inspect, fit and care for A2 horse clipper blades and sheep shearing combs and cutters.

Professional Equipment Care Advice from Dragon Elite Sharpening Services

A2-style horse clipper blades and sheep shearing combs and cutters are precision cutting tools designed for demanding work. Correct cleaning, regular lubrication, correct fitting and appropriate tension are essential if they are to cut efficiently, remain as cool as possible and achieve the longest practical working life.

Although horse clipper blades and sheep shearing equipment are not identical, they share the same fundamental cutting principle: a moving cutter works rapidly across a stationary comb.

The mating surfaces must remain clean, correctly lubricated and properly adjusted for reliable cutting performance.

DE-55 Professional Blade & Scissor Cleaner

Water-free professional cleaner for removing contamination from horse clipper blades, shearing combs and cutters and other precision cutting equipment.

View DE-55 Cleaner

Scissor & Blade Oil – 50ml

Precision-applied lubricating oil suitable for regular care of horse clipper blade sets, sheep shearing combs and cutters and other professional cutting equipment.

View 50ml Oil

Understanding the Comb and Cutter

Both horse clipping and sheep shearing systems rely on two metal components working closely together.

The Comb

The comb is the larger stationary component. It guides hair or wool towards the moving cutter and provides one of the two working cutting surfaces.

The Cutter

The cutter moves rapidly backwards and forwards across the comb. The relationship between the two prepared surfaces produces the cutting action.

Step 1 — Remove the Blades Safely

Switch the clipper or shearing equipment off before removing or working on the comb and cutter.

Allow the equipment to cool if it has recently been used and remove the blades according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Before cleaning, inspect for obvious damage including:

• Broken teeth
• Bent or distorted teeth
• Missing teeth
• Cracks
• Rust or corrosion
• Heavy contamination
• Obvious uneven wear

Step 2 — Remove Loose Hair, Wool and Debris

Carefully brush away loose hair, wool and other visible material.

Pay particular attention to:

• The cutting teeth
• The mating surfaces of the comb and cutter
• Edges and recesses where material can collect
• Blade guides and retaining components where applicable

Material allowed to accumulate between the cutting surfaces can increase resistance and friction and may contribute to:

• Poor cutting
• Hair or wool pulling
• Increased temperature
• Premature wear
• Additional load on the clipper or shearing equipment

Step 3 — Clean the Comb and Cutter Thoroughly

Once loose material has been removed, clean the cutting equipment with a professional product suitable for precision metal cutting surfaces.

Our DE-55 Professional Blade & Scissor Cleaner is a water-free cleaning solution developed for professional cutting equipment.

Pay particular attention to the mating surfaces of the comb and cutter rather than cleaning only the visible outside.

Sheep Shearing — Wool Grease and Heavy Contamination

Sheep shearing combs and cutters can be exposed to considerable quantities of wool grease, dirt and very fine contamination during normal use.

This material can build up between the comb and cutter, increasing resistance and interfering with the cutting action.

Thorough cleaning followed by correct lubrication is therefore particularly important when maintaining sheep shearing equipment.

Step 4 — Dry and Inspect

After cleaning, remove excess cleaner and inspect the comb and cutter carefully.

Look for:

• Corrosion
• Damaged teeth
• Cracks
• Uneven or unusual wear
• Distortion
• Damage to the mating surfaces
• Anything that appears loose or abnormal

If any cleaning process introduces water, dry the equipment thoroughly and lubricate it immediately.

Step 5 — Fit the Comb and Cutter Correctly

Correct positioning of the comb and cutter is essential for safe and effective clipping or shearing.

The fitting method varies between different machines and handpieces, so always follow the manufacturer’s procedure for your equipment.

Before starting the machine, check that:

• The comb is seated correctly
• The cutter is correctly positioned against the comb
• Fasteners and retaining components are secure
• The moving parts can operate freely
• Nothing appears visibly misaligned

Step 6 — Lubricate Correctly

The comb and cutter operate under pressure while moving rapidly against one another. Correct lubrication is therefore essential.

Apply suitable clipper or shearing oil to the working surfaces in accordance with the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.

Our Scissor & Blade Oil – 50ml can be used for routine lubrication of these professional cutting surfaces.

During prolonged clipping or shearing, lubricate regularly rather than waiting until the blades become noticeably hot or begin cutting poorly.

Cleaning Is Not the Same as Oiling

Cleaner and oil perform two completely different jobs.

Cleaning

A professional cleaner such as DE-55 Professional Blade & Scissor Cleaner helps remove hair, wool, grease, dirt, contaminated lubricant and other working residue.

Oiling

Scissor & Blade Oil – 50ml provides lubrication between the working metal surfaces.

Cleaning does not remove the need to oil afterwards. Likewise, repeatedly adding fresh oil to dirty equipment does not replace proper cleaning.

Step 7 — Set the Correct Tension

Tension controls how firmly the cutter is held against the comb.

Correct tension is essential. Too little pressure can result in poor cutting, while excessive pressure increases friction, heat and wear.

Horse clippers and sheep shearing handpieces can use different tensioning systems, so always follow the manufacturer’s recommended procedure for the particular equipment being used.

Insufficient Tension

Too little tension may result in:

• Hair or wool folding between the cutting surfaces
• Pulling
• Poor cutting
• Inconsistent cutting
• Excessive movement

Excessive Tension

Excessive pressure may result in:

• Increased friction
• Rapid heat generation
• Premature wear
• Additional strain on the machine or handpiece
• Reduced comb and cutter life

Why Are My Horse Clipper or Shearing Blades Getting Hot?

Some heat generation is unavoidable. Two metal cutting surfaces are moving rapidly against one another and friction naturally produces heat.

However, equipment becoming excessively hot unusually quickly should be investigated.

Possible causes include:

• Insufficient lubrication
• Hair or wool trapped between the cutting surfaces
• Wool grease or other contamination
• Incorrect or excessive tension
• Incorrect fitting
• Worn or damaged combs or cutters
• Mechanical problems with the clipper or handpiece
• Cutting surfaces requiring professional sharpening

Poor Cutting Does Not Always Mean the Blades Are Blunt

Before assuming a comb and cutter need sharpening, make sure the equipment is:

• Thoroughly clean
• Correctly lubricated
• Properly fitted
• Set to the appropriate tension
• Free from obvious mechanical damage

If a previously reliable horse blade set or sheep shearing comb and cutter still performs poorly after these checks, the cutting surfaces may require professional sharpening.

How Often Should Horse Clipper & Sheep Shearing Blades Be Maintained?

During Use

Remove accumulated hair, wool and contamination as required and lubricate regularly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Between Jobs or Animals

Remove obvious debris, inspect the cutting equipment and follow any appropriate hygiene or biosecurity procedures relevant to your work.

At the End of the Working Day

1. Remove loose hair, wool and debris.
2. Clean thoroughly.
3. Inspect the comb and cutter.
4. Dry completely.
5. Lubricate correctly.
6. Store safely.

Our DE-55 Professional Blade & Scissor Cleaner can form part of this routine, followed by suitable lubrication with Scissor & Blade Oil – 50ml .

Store Your Combs and Cutters Correctly

Clean, dry and lightly lubricated cutting equipment should be stored somewhere:

• Clean
• Dry
• Protected from corrosion
• Protected from impact
• Organised so the teeth cannot strike other metal tools

Avoid storing precision combs and cutters loose together in a toolbox where their teeth may come into contact with other equipment.

Signs Your Horse Clipper or Sheep Shearing Blades Need Professional Attention

Cleaning, lubrication and correct adjustment can resolve many apparent performance problems, but they cannot restore worn cutting surfaces or repair damaged teeth.

Have the equipment professionally inspected if you notice:

• Hair or wool pulling
• Hair or wool folding between the comb and cutter
• Poor cutting after thorough cleaning and lubrication
• A noticeable deterioration in cutting performance
• Excessive heat developing unusually quickly
• Broken, bent or damaged teeth
• Rough or abnormal movement
• Unusual vibration
• The need for excessive tension before the equipment will cut

Dragon Elite provides professional sharpening for suitable A2 horse clipper blade sets and sheep shearing combs and cutters.

View Clipper & Shearing Blade Sharpening

Protect Your Blades — and Your Equipment

Horse clipper blades and sheep shearing combs and cutters rely on close contact between correctly prepared metal surfaces operating at speed.

A simple maintenance routine can make a considerable difference:

Correct maintenance can help:

• Maintain efficient cutting
• Reduce unnecessary friction and heat
• Reduce premature wear
• Protect the clipper or shearing equipment
• Extend the practical working life of combs and cutters

A few minutes spent maintaining your cutting equipment can prevent unnecessary wear and help keep it performing properly between professional sharpening.