Hiya
I need to get a new pair of dog clippers, I used to have a wahl pair but didnt really think much of them. My friend uses Osters and swears by them, but I am wondering if there are any that are cheaper (the cheapest osters I have seen are in the £109-£119 mark) that do the job well.
If anyone has any thoughts please let me know.
thanks
steph
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I use a pair of wire clippers - I don't know exactly what they are used for - hubby gave them to me :) I showed them to an experienced friend and she said that they were exactly right. Can't have cost more than a few pounds from an electrical wholesaler. Will ask hubby when he comes home what they are called.

Daisy

I think Steph means coat clippers, not nail clippers, Daisy :)

Unless it's me who's confused?

Ooops - I thought that they were expensive :D Brain is even more befuddled due to this hot weather and hay-fever :( Roll on winter :D

Daisy

heh heh, sorry, yes, i meant coat clippers...thanks anyway though. :)
any ideas anyone?
thanks
steph
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I have always found 'Laube' ones to be very good. I like the variable speed, but they do a two speed one also. They are dearer than Oster but I much prefer them.
What breed are they to use on?
I am a professional dog groomer and I have used 'Oster' in the past but find the 'Laube' much better.
I believe Wahl took them over a few years ago, but they still sell under the 'Laube' name. I also have 'Aesculap' which is another very good make but again, a bit more expensive.

Hiya
Thanks for that. It would be mainly for a cocker spaniel, but also a long haired cross breed. Sort of bearded collie cross. I dont like cockers to be completely sheared, I want it mainly for doing her feet and back.
Thanks
steph
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I groom for a living Steph and have 6 pairs of Osters in the cupboard, all with armatures gone just out of guarantee! I've used Whal single speed professional for 3 years now. They're very noise, but run cool and fast. I wouldn't swap now.

I agree with Val, having gone through numerous osters over several years! Moser is also made by Wahl, but for some unexplainable reason its the same clipper, just a different name & cheaper....i have been very pleased with them in every way except for a weakness in the flex which means occassionally you have to rewire the switch.

I have heard about mosers. I looked on a website called Diamond Edge and they were just under £50. When you say they are the same as wahls, do you mean the same as the cheap wahls that I have seen in argos etc. What about the series 300's and 500's that I have seen?? Someone told me that they arent for dogs, but I saw them on a pet website. Very confused
Any help and advice you could give would me much appreciated.
thanks
steph
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This is what I use Steph. Is your cocker neutered?

Wahl KM1 Clipper.
A professional mains operated animal clipper. The KM1 has a rotary motor and is powerful and cool running. This machine is compatible with all major brands of blades so it offers interchangeability with your existing blades. The machine comes with a set of #10 (2mm) blades, lubricating oil, cleaning brush and instructions. The blades snap into position and a wide range of alternative blades is available.
Our Price: £90.00 Including VAT at 17.5%
These people do serviced second hand equipment, which may allow you to buy a better qaulity at a reasonable price? http://www.kgproducts.co.uk/equipment.htm

Hi Val.
Yes, Millie is a 3 and and a half year old, spayed cocker. She has the sort of 2 coat thing ( 1 thin soft one, and then an undercoat which is a normal type of fur...if you know what I mean) which a lot of cockers seem to have.
This company you mentioned sounds good, it sounds like the sort of thing I was looking for. Did you get your second hand or was that the new price?
I shall give them a ring tomorrow to see what they have in stock. Hopefully not too expensive, but I want one that is fairly good. As I said in my previous posts, I have seen the cheap clippers by wahl in argos etc, and on one website I saw wahl series 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600's. But then, after emailing someone else, I was told that these series 100-600's are not suitale for dog hair?? very confused.
Thanks so much
steph....and shaggy millie :)
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The Argos ones wouldn't take the skin off a rice pudding so would be a waste of money!
For a spayed cocker, you really need a decent pair to get through the thicker coat. I bought mine new and have been using them for nearly 3 years now, trimming up to 30 dogs a week so if you invest, I reckon they last you a lifetime. I just found the company selling second hand ones when I was doing a search and trying to find a picture of the Moser clipper, to see if it looked like my KM1.
If you pay £100 it'll be a good investment. I'd take that much for doing 4 x 8 week trims!! ;)

Hi Val.
Yes, Millie is a 3 and and a half year old, spayed cocker. She has the sort of 2 coat thing ( 1 thin soft one, and then an undercoat which is a normal type of fur...if you know what I mean) which a lot of cockers seem to have.
This company you mentioned sounds good, it sounds like the sort of thing I was looking for. Did you get your second hand or was that the new price?
I shall give them aring tomorrow to see what they have in stock. Hopefully not too expensive, but I want one that is fairly good. As I said in my previous posts, I have seen the cheap clippers by wahl in argos etc, and on one website I saw wahl series 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600's. But then, after emailing someone else, I was told that these series 100-600's are not suitale for dog hair?? very confused.
Thanks so much
steph....and shaggy millie :)
x

I use the Wahl KM1 too on my own neutered Cockers & the ones that come to me for grooming. I recommend them - I have no problems with even the woolliest coats & they don't overheat like my old Osters. It's worth paying this sort of money for decent equipment - the cheaper clippers just can't cope with spayed Cocker coats :-)

Jane

no steph definitely not the cheap Argos "pet" type...these are pro machines. Clippersharp do them, (Called Wahl KM1) £85 inc No 10 blade. Tel. richard on 01823 681076. Also seen the Moser version at Peasridge.....dont have their details to hand, may be on the web?

hiya sam
yes, thats what I was wondering. I know the ones in argos cost bout £22 ish and i was a bit confused. I have heard wahl are quite good....but do they make a different type to sell for cheap at places like argos etc? £22 does seem a bit cheap, especially in comparison to wahls other prices.
I had a look on peasridge, quite a good range.
thanks
steph
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I have just seen a pair of Wahl Pro Series Rechargeable Cord/Cordless Clippers. The description says....The great feature of this machine is its ability to be used in either a mains power or cordless mode with a snap on blade facility. Supplied with two satin-chrome blades (size #30 and #10), five guide combs, cleaning brush and lubricating oil. Charger unit supplied. Clippers are covered by a one-year manufacturers warranty......
What does anyone think of these? I will probably end up getting some that are hideously expensive :), but am trying to avoid that at the mo due to low funds.
I really appreciate all your help.
thanks
steph
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Hi Steph n Millie,

Just to throw in another idea for grooming your cocker, if she has the '2 coat thing' :) and you can tell the difference between her undercoat and top coat, have you considered using a Coat King on her body coat?? it would take out the excess undercoat leaving the glossy top coat and is fantastic for cockers and most other spaniels - gives a hand stripped look without the effort and in a fraction of the time :D :D ;0 I even use one on a castrated sheltie whose coat went really bad, now he looks normal :D The Coat King comes in different sizes for all types of coat :D

Regards
Dill

Hi Dill
That sounds good. I hadnt heard of that. Where might I find one of those? I had a quick scout on the internet but that didnt seem to show up very much.
It sounds just the sort of thing that I would need.
Thanks for the great tip.
Steph
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ooh, found one. HUB international has a load.
Thanks very much!
x

If you do a search Steph, you'll find lots of previous discussions on Coat Kings. I do use them mainly on pet Cockers that have not been neutered - I have not found them to be that good on spayed Cockers but it will depend on the coat of course ;-)

Dill, on a neutered spaniel its usually the other way around.....woolly on top, shiny underneath!

Sam,
I know about the difference in coats of neutered spaniels and other breeds :), the point is that the Coat King will take out the wooly coat and leave the shiny coat :), this is what hand stripping would also do but neutered dogs tend to hang on to their coats more and hand stripping is more difficult and can be painful for the dog. I've used them on spaniels (neutered and non-neutered) schnautzers and shelties to name but a few. They work best on breeds with a double coat but can be used on any dog which is hanging on to its coat - apart from curly coated breeds :).

Steph n Millie
Glad you found HUB International, Dunbar UK (Snooze n Snack) also sell them.
When you contact HUB tell them what breed/s you will be using the Coat King on and they should advise you on the size/s that you will need. They should also send instructions on how to use it as well. Good luck :)

Regards
Dill

"hand stripping is more difficult and can be painful for the dog."
Sorry Dill, whilst hand stripping may be more difficult (skillful??) especially on a neutered coat, it certainly isn't painful when done by a knowledgable groomer!! I usually still manage to strip neutered parti-colours but when a neutered solid turns into a woolly blanket, then I would use thinning scissors to get a natural finish, or clip as a last resort.

I think perhaps we'll have to agree to disagree on this one :)

Hello Val
I am thinking of adopting a neutered cocker spaniel bitch, and am a tad intimidated re grooming.  Cant afford to take her to a groomer regularly so want to do it myself! I see you recommending the Wahl KMI.  Is there a crash course one can do on clipping do you know? Its her paws that are so hairy and carry dirt and mud into the house at an alarming rate and quantity!
Help!
She is a lovely dog who needs a home but the grooming is frightening me! What would you advise? Many thanks.  PS what is the difference between a neutered dog/coat and non neutered dog /coat?
Dee

There is a good video on Cocker Grooming that you can get here.  It mainly covers hand stripping which I doubt you will manage if she has been spayed particularly if she is a solid cover but it does cover clipping and will give you the general look you are aiming for.  A new neutered coat tends to be a lot thicker.  Feet, and the extremities generally, are done by scissors held flat to the area being cut to avoid digging in.  My tip there would be to buy the very best hairdressing scissors that you can afford to prevent any pulling that will make it difficult for you to maintain the dogs cooperation.  Thinning scissors are good if you can afford another pair to do the top of the head and ears but don't worry if you have to use your straight pair or even the clippers.  Any roughness is going to settling in a few days and I presume you are not planning on showing your girl :-).  A good set of clippers is a good investment and Wahl are good and reliable.
Set up a routine.  Use a table or any raised surface with a non slip surface, a rubber mat from a car shop is useful, so the dog feels secure and your back is comfortable and stand no nonsense.  Be firm but kind and make session not too long to start with and you will soon gain confidence.

Also, there is advise on the subject on the Cocker Spaniel Club website.

I swear by Andis, so much more power than Oster's, using them daily as a Groomer, certianly worth there weight in gold, if the Cockers coat is very think as they do go once neutered, I would use a 5f or 7f on it.

I have had most of the top 5 or 6 rate clippers but I love the Moser Max 45s.   I have bought a few cheap from Petplanet  they are light weight but robust.

> I swear by Andis, so much more power than Oster's, using them daily as a Groomer, certianly worth there weight in gold

As the OP has clearly got some budget constraints and only one dog to groom every 6 weeks or so I wonder if they need to invest in something that expensive.

Depend how much there used, I usually trim cockers every 6-8 weeks.
There not that expensive either, £100- £115, excluding blades, but you usually get a free one with them.

> Depend how much there used

I gather the OP is talking about one dog.  I would say the Wahls in Argos at £30ish are equivalent to the one I have had for several years and has proved perfectly adequate for one or two dogs.

Wahls are rubbish especially the ones at that price, won't even go through a really short coated Spanish.

> won't even go through a really short coated Spanish.

The OP is talking about a Cocker.  My Wahl has proved perfectly good for them over the years.  If they have more money to spend fair enough but they are rescuing a dog so I would not like them put off by the thought of very expensive clippers that I don't believe will be necessary.  Even if the £30 ones only lasted a couple of years (my current ones are about 7 years old I think) that works out at about £2 a clip at a very modest initial investment.

Although I've never bought Wahl, I've tried them on a few different breeds and sorry they just didn't go through them, maybe they've improved in the last couple of years or so? 

Just over £100.00 is less than a years worth of taking your dog to a groomer, so not a lot of money in the long run.

Must admit my parents have always found the Whal ones quite adequate, only buying new blades  when needed, for tidying their cockers.