Sharpening Hair Clippers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 31/12/2024

Maintaining sharp hair clippers is crucial for achieving clean, even cuts and preventing frustrating snags and pulls. Dull blades not only lead to uneven haircuts but can also damage hair, causing split ends and discomfort for your clients. Investing time in regular sharpening ensures the longevity of your clippers and maintains a professional standard of work, whether you're a seasoned barber or simply like to give yourself a neat trim at home. Properly sharpened clippers will make your work easier and produce superior results, saving you time and effort in the long run.

Investing in expensive clippers is only half the battle; keeping them in top condition requires proper maintenance. This guide will walk you through a comprehensive, step-by-step process to sharpen your hair clippers effectively, bringing them back to their peak performance. Let's get started and learn how to restore your clippers to their razor-sharp glory.

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
Safety Guidelines
  • Always unplug clippers before cleaning or sharpening.
  • Never touch the blades while they are plugged in or running.
  • Use appropriate sharpening tools and techniques; improper sharpening can damage the clippers beyond repair.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Disassembly

    • Remove screws from the bottom of the hair clippers and carefully remove the plates.
    • Identify and retain any spacer washers.
    Identify and retain any spacer washers.Identify and retain any spacer washers.
    Disassembly

  2. Preparation

    • Clean the plates of any grease or oil.
    Clean the plates of any grease or oil.
    Preparation

  3. Sharpening Plate 1

    • Place the clipper plates flat on the whetstone.
    • Apply light pressure near the cutting teeth and use a circular motion to sharpen.
    • Alternate directions (clockwise and counterclockwise) every few seconds to ensure even sharpening.
    • Observe the change in color of the plates; lighter sections indicate sharpened areas.
    Observe the change in color of the plates; lighter sections indicate sharpened areas.Observe the change in color of the plates; lighter sections indicate sharpened areas.Observe the change in color of the plates; lighter sections indicate sharpened areas.Observe the change in color of the plates; lighter sections indicate sharpened areas.
    Sharpening Plate 1
    • Repeat until a crisp, sharp edge is achieved on all cutting teeth. Focus on achieving a perfectly square and sharp edge on the teeth; you are not sharpening the edges themselves, but the cutting surfaces.
    Repeat until a crisp, sharp edge is achieved on all cutting teeth. Focus on achieving a perfectly square and sharp edge on the teeth; you are not sharpening the edges themselves, but the cutting surfaces.
    Sharpening Plate 1

  4. Sharpening Plate 2

    • Repeat steps 4-8 for the second plate.
    Repeat steps 4-8 for the second plate.
    Sharpening Plate 2

  5. Reassembly and Adjustment

    • Reassemble the hair clippers, ensuring the plates are aligned correctly and the screws are tightened evenly.
    • Adjust the cutting height by sliding the plates forward or backward.
    Adjust the cutting height by sliding the plates forward or backward.Adjust the cutting height by sliding the plates forward or backward.
    Reassembly and Adjustment

Read more: Mastering Trimmer Blade Adjustment for a Perfect Cut

Tips

  • Make sure the whetstone is flat and clean.
  • Keep the plates perfectly flat against the whetstone during sharpening.
  • Clean the plates of grease before sharpening to prevent clogging the whetstone.
  • Alternate sharpening directions to ensure even sharpening of both sides of the teeth.
  • Ensure the plates are properly aligned and the cutting height is adjusted before use to prevent skin cuts.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using the wrong sharpening tool

Reason: Using household tools like files or knives can damage the clipper blades due to their improper shape and coarseness, leading to uneven cuts and potential breakage.
Solution: Invest in professional sharpening tools specifically designed for hair clipper blades, such as honing stones or specialized sharpening kits.

2. Applying too much pressure during sharpening

Reason: Excessive force can cause the blades to overheat, warp, or even crack, shortening their lifespan and compromising their sharpness.
Solution: Use light, even strokes with minimal pressure while sharpening, allowing the abrasive material to do the work.

3. Ignoring proper cleaning and lubrication

Reason: Hair, dirt, and debris accumulate on the blades, hindering their performance and causing uneven cutting. Neglecting lubrication leads to friction and accelerated wear.
Solution: Thoroughly clean the blades with a cleaning brush and clipper oil before and after each sharpening session.

FAQs

How often should I sharpen my hair clippers?
The frequency depends on usage. For professional barbers using them daily, sharpening might be needed every 1-3 months. For home use, sharpening every 6-12 months is usually sufficient. Pay attention to the cutting performance; dull blades will pull hair and create uneven cuts, signaling it's time for sharpening.