Molly Ayala
Keeping your electric hair clippers well-maintained is essential for achieving a clean and precise haircut. Over time, even the best blades can become dull and ineffective, so it's important to sharpen them regularly to ensure optimal performance. While some clippers have an auto-sharpening feature, they may still wear out quickly if not properly cared for. In this guide, we will cover the steps to sharpen your electric hair clipper blades and restore them to their former glory, including removing and cleaning the blades, choosing the right sharpening tools, and reassembling the clippers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Sharpen each time you notice problems |
| Blade cleaning | Use a wire brush, steel wool, toothbrush, or blade cleaning brush to remove hair and debris |
| Blade cleaning products | Blade wash, isopropyl alcohol, clipper cleaning oil, or lubricant spray |
| Blade drying | Wipe the sides of the blades with a clean towel |
| Blade sharpening tools | Sharpening stone, honing stone, handheld sharpener, electric sharpener, honing rod, sandpaper, or a magnet |
| Blade sharpening grit values | 150, 220, 3000, 8000, or 8000 grit |
| Blade sharpening pressure | 3 to 5 pounds |
| Blade sharpening motion | Pull back in an even, clean stroke |
| Blade sharpening motion (honing stone) | Move each side of the blade five to ten times across the stone, moving forward only |
| Blade oil | Clipper oil, hair oil, or light, penetrating oil |
| Blade oil application frequency | After every two or three uses |
| Blade reassembly | Ensure blades are facing the original direction and spaced at the original distance apart |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning the blades
To clean the blades of your electric hair clippers, you'll first need to remove them. Consult the user manual for your specific clipper to determine the correct process for removing the blades. Most hair clipper models have two screws at the base of the blade. Once these are removed, gently detach the blades and any pieces holding them in place. If the bottom blade doesn't pop out easily, use a pair of tweezers to remove it.
Next, clean the blades thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris, or hair that may be stuck. You can use a soft cloth, a wire brush, steel wool, or toothbrush to gently remove any dirt or debris, and tweezers to remove any hairs. It's important to clean the blades before sharpening them, as this will ensure they sharpen correctly.
If your blades have visible rust, or if brushing doesn't remove all the gunk, you can use blade wash or another blade cleaning product to break it down. Soak the blades in a small bowl of this solution for a few minutes, or dip a cotton ball in it and scrub the blade to remove heavy rust buildup. Some people report success with isopropyl alcohol, although you may need a strong, 90% alcohol solution. Weaker isopropyl alcohol might not work.
After cleaning, dry the blades thoroughly with a clean towel. This will remove any remaining dust, debris, and water or cleaning solution. Once the blades are dry, they're ready to be sharpened.
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Removing the blades
Before you begin sharpening, you will need to remove the blades from the clipper. Consult the user manual for your specific clipper to determine the correct process for removing the blades. First, make sure your hair clipper cord is disconnected from the power source or completely turned off if it's cordless. Then, based on the type of your hair clipper, either unhinge the mechanism to remove the blade or unscrew the screws that attach the blades to the rest of the clippers. On most hair clipper models, there are two screws at the base of the blade. Keep the screws in a safe place. Once these are removed, gently detach the blades and any pieces holding them in place. If the bottom blade does not pop out easily, use a pair of tweezers to pull it off the base. Take note of how the pieces fit together, and how the blades are positioned in relation to each other, to make reassembly easier.
Once the blades are removed, clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris, or hair that may be stuck in the blades. You can use a soft cloth or brush to gently remove any dirt or debris, and a small pair of tweezers to remove any hairs that may be stuck in the blades. Use a wire brush, steel wool, or toothbrush to remove the hair stuck in the blades. Remove rust with blade wash. If your blades have any visible rust, or if brushing doesn't remove all the gunk on them, you can use blade wash or another blade cleaning product to break it down. Soak the blades in a small bowl of this for a couple of minutes, or dip a cotton ball in it and scrub the blade to remove heavy rust buildup. Some people report success with isopropyl alcohol, although you may need to find a strong, 90% alcohol solution. Weaker isopropyl alcohol might not work. Wipe the sides of the blades thoroughly with a clean towel to dry them and to remove the last particles of dust and debris.
You can also use a magnet to handle the blade safely while sharpening. Place the base of the blade in the slit of a magnetic holder, so the sharp edge of the blade extends past the magnet edge. This will make it easier to sharpen the blade without cutting yourself or dropping the blade. A strong, flat magnet may work instead. Sharpen slowly if using this device, to prevent the blade from falling off the magnet and potentially nicking you.
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Using a sharpening stone
Firstly, you need to disassemble the clippers and clean the blades. This is important because dirt or hair on the blades can affect the sharpening process. You can use a screwdriver to detach the blades and a brush to clean them.
Next, choose a sharpening stone. There are various types of sharpening stones available, such as whetstones, Japanese water stones, diamond stones, Arkansas stones, and honing stones. The type of stone you choose may depend on the material of your blade. For example, ceramic blades require a diamond sharpening stone. Soak the stone in water if it is a water stone, or apply a small amount of lubricant if it is a diamond or Arkansas stone.
Now, place the blade on the stone. Find the flat side of the blade and lay it flat on the stone. If using a whetstone, place the blade at a 25-30-degree angle to the stone. The key is to create friction between the blade and the stone. Draw imaginary figure '8's on the stone with the blade, applying gentle pressure. Do this about 30 times per blade, checking for progress every 10-15 strokes. You can also simply move the blade forward across the stone 5-10 times, then turn the blade and repeat on the other side. If the stone dries up, sprinkle some water on it.
Finally, wipe off any residue or metal powder from the blade with a tissue or a wet cloth. Your blade should now be sharp and shiny. Reassemble the clippers, making sure the blades are facing the correct direction and are spaced correctly. Apply a few drops of clipper oil to the blades to prevent overheating and reduce friction.
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Applying oil
To apply oil to your electric hair clippers, follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure your hair clippers are disconnected from any power source. You can do this by turning them off if they are cordless. This is an important safety precaution. Next, you will need to remove the blades from the clippers. Consult the user manual for your specific clipper model to determine the correct process for removing the blades. Once the blades are removed, clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris, or hair that may be stuck. You can use a soft cloth or brush to gently wipe away any dirt or debris, and a small pair of tweezers to carefully remove any hairs stuck to the blades.
Once the blades are clean and dry, you can apply a few drops of hair clipper oil to the blades. This step is recommended after every two or three uses of the clippers, but especially after the blades have been sharpened. Applying oil helps to prevent the blades from overheating and reduces friction that can wear down the blade over time. While an alternate light, penetrating oil can be used instead, avoid heavy, dark oils which can clog the blades. Always check with a barber or online before using a new oil for the first time.
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Using sandpaper
Sandpaper is a cost-effective way to sharpen your electric hair clippers and extend their lifespan. This method requires some familiarity with using sandpaper, and it is important to exercise caution when handling the sharp blades.
First, disconnect your hair clippers from the power source. Then, disassemble the clipper carefully. Refer to the user manual for guidance on removing the blades. You may need a screwdriver to detach the blades and any pieces holding them in place. Note how the pieces fit together to make reassembly easier.
Before sharpening, clean the blades. Use a small cleaning brush, or a wire brush, steel wool, or toothbrush, to remove any hair, dust, or debris. You can also use blade wash or isopropyl alcohol to remove stubborn gunk or rust. Dry the blades thoroughly with a clean towel.
Now, you are ready to sharpen the blades with sandpaper. Place two sheets of sandpaper on a flat surface, securing them with tape. Use fine-grit sandpaper, such as 400 or 600 grit, and ensure the grit is consistent and even. Place the 400-grit sandpaper at the front and the 600-grit at the back.
Get a magnet and attach the blade to it, creating a handle for safer sharpening. Place the blade flat on the 400-grit sandpaper, applying 3 to 5 pounds of pressure. Pull the blade back in a smooth, even stroke, maintaining the same angle and keeping the blade flat. Perform ten strokes, then move the blade to the 600-grit sandpaper and repeat the process with twenty strokes.
After sharpening, carefully inspect the blade. Run your finger along the edge to ensure it feels smooth and sharp. If needed, repeat the sharpening process for an additional 5 to 10 strokes.
Finally, reassemble the clipper, ensuring all screws are secure. Apply a few drops of lubricating oil to the blades to reduce friction and enhance performance.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you need to remove the blades from the clipper. Consult the user manual for your specific clipper to determine the correct process for removing the blades. Once the blades are removed, clean them thoroughly to remove any dirt, debris, or hair that may be stuck in the blades. You can use a soft cloth or brush to gently remove any dirt or debris, and a small pair of tweezers to remove any hairs that may be stuck in the blades. You can also use a wire brush, steel wool, or toothbrush to remove hair stuck in the blades. If your blades have visible rust, use blade wash or another blade cleaning product to remove it. Once cleaned, you can use a sharpening stone, sandpaper, or an electric sharpener to sharpen the blades.
Over time, the blades of your hair clippers can become dull, leading to less efficient and subpar results. You may notice ragged, uneven cuts and snagged hair, which could indicate that your blades need sharpening.
The recommended grit values for sharpening hair clippers are 150 and 220. Place these sandpapers on a flat surface, ensuring that it's entirely level. Tape them down to secure their positions, with the 150 grit at the front and the 220 grit at the back.
