For those of you that use nail clippers: do you get them sharpened somehow or just buy new ones?

I use Mikki Dog Nail Clippers - these ones - and like the design and find them pretty easy to use.  Even the pup lets me pick his paws up, like a horse, and clip them (although I tend to do him whilst he's asleep as he gets a bit bored).  BUT my pair are app 4 years old now and I think the blade is a bit dull and a friend and I were talking today about whether they can be sharpened...

Thanks     -                               ...I'm making my Crufts shopping list!! 

I buy new ones.  I had an expensive set years ago, with all sorts and sizes.  Silly waste for me really, as, like you, I have my favourites.

The last new ones I got from hyperdrug.  They are great for the big dogs.  I do admit to not using dog nail clippers for the Chi's.  Ordinary human toe nail clippers are the easiest for me to use.  I do have rubbish hands, have had several ops on them, so my strength isn't good. 

I use those as well and when they finally go a bit blunt I simply buy another one.

Kind Regards

I prefer Resco guillotine ones which lasted for about a year with daily use in the grooming parlour.  And you could buy spare blades for them. :)

I'm on the look out for a replacement nail clipper for my older dog, I used to use a Mikki one (different style to your link dogsababe) but the last one I bought just shattered her claw instead of cutting. I took it back and exchanged it and the claw shattered again. Could it be that Missy's claws are just getting more brittle as she's getting on? What clipper should I get?

I've never found Mikki products to be substancial and avoid them! :(

We dont use clippers very often now but there is a set here(not guillotine) which is well over 30 years old & not been sharpened & are fine

I use the re-fillable Resco ones too, is it just a matter of personal preference or is one type better for the nail than the other?

I've always found the Resco guillotine sharp, quick and easy to see how much you're cutting. :)
Some other blades are very thick and so tend to squash the nail rather than make a clean cut.

i use a dremmel on my rotties nails as i found them to shatter when cutting them, it took him a while to get used to the dremmel but now done very quick and easy, even use the dremmel on the spitz

> i use a dremmel

Thats what I use

I've thought5 of this before and like the idea, much more than my dogs probably would  :)

A couple of weeks ago I tried a pair of clippers on my oldest boy, and even before they touched him he had invented a whole series of new gymnastic manoeuvres. He is really difficult to handle single-handed as it is, so not expecting much cooperation from him with a dremmel. The other two could possibly get into it though

>> i use a dremmel
> Thats what I use

Me too but has anyone had problems buying replacement sand bands? I couldn't get them in B&Q anymore, you'd have to buy a complete accessory kit for £21! I found them online, £1.36 each so thought I'd just order a tenners worth to last for ages - didn't realise the £1.36 was for a pack of 6, now have enough sand bands to last a lifetime (mine) :-)

don't use the sand bands hubby got me a thing like a little stone on the end and it is brilliant

The stone shouldn't really be used because it gets too hot and can hurt the dog; the sand bands are safer.

I am considering buying a dremel for my dogs nails but don't know which one to choose?  My old goldie's nails are really tough - I have read up on technique and will take my time getting the dogs used to it.  Any tips would be much appreciated.

Mine are a similar type and yes I just buy a new pair, come to think of it it's probably about time.... *makes note to add to Crufts shopping list* I don't like the guillotine type at all though.

> don't know which one to choose?

Will be interesting to see what others use, mine is the original dremel with cable. I would quite like a rechargeable one but bought one of those JML pet nail trimmers and it was completely useless - it stopped rotating the moment a nail touched it. That put me off all rechargeables so the dogs just have to come over and lie beside the socket :-)

> I don't like the guillotine type at all though.

Ditto.  It's just about my least favourite.

My first pair was the quillotine type and didn't like them at all, the dogs nails so tough that they never cut cleanly and often ended up split. Then tried the Mikki ones but again found I really had to apply too much pressure for them to cut, so have ended up with a heavy duty pair that the vet uses. Don't think that I can sharpen them but don't mind if I have to get another as they have been great. Also have got into a routine that Sunday is nail day, so after a good walk I cut nails and it is so much easier than leaving them to get too long.

> Sunday is nail day

My grandmother always used to tell me never to cut my nails on a Sunday or the Devil would get me all week.

> My grandmother always used to tell me never to cut my nails on a Sunday or the Devil would get me all week.

Does this apply to dogs?

> Does this apply to dogs?

No idea, I guess you can tell me though! :)

hi Lacy, can you say what type the heavy duty pair you use are?

> I don't like the guillotine type at all though.
> Ditto.  It's just about my least favourite.

Yes I can't get on with these and I wonder if it's to do with what one first gets used to.  I like the scissor action of the clippers I have but I'd much prefer a thinner sharper blade.  It sometimes feels like I'm using a pair of pliers!!

Thanks for all the advice.  I might cruise the grooming stalls at Crufts to see if there is a middle ground!

I wonder if it's to do with what one first gets used to.
And taught the correct way to use I suspect too. :) 

>My grandmother always used to tell me never to cut my nails on a Sunday or the Devil would get me all week.

Why do Grans always have sinister sayings about the Devil?! My Gran used to tell my vain brother that if he looked in the mirror too long the devil would come and look back at him.

Mine used to say my face would stay like that if the wind changed, when I was scowling in a temper!

> hi Lacy, can you say what type the heavy duty pair you use are?

Judy. Sorry have taken so long to reply. There is no identifiable mark on them other than 'ROSTFREI', which having googled looks as if German & can only find Scissors, hunting/kitchen knives. So rang our old vets who unfortunately rang back when I was out saying 'that they could get me some more', not what I'd asked. Will ring again tomorrow and see if they will tell me where they got them.

thanks so much Lacy, really appreciate your help with this :)

Just seen this on the Peasridge site (I think they will mean Rostfrei):

The Mars "Rostfy" type particularly, a good reliable tool with a good sharp and lasting lower blade, which is curved to accommodate the nail. Nice size good action, comfortable to hold and use, Solingen stainless steel and German made - must be good!

I'm sorry to take up so many messages :(

Lacy, is this what you have?

http://www.groomers-online.com/product.php/1211/mars-superior-claw-clipper

Judy. No they're not like those. More like the Mikki type, good stiff spring between handles, no safety guard, curved blades that are very sharp (even after three years of Basset feet) and indents on one handle to improve grip. I will have another look to see if I can find them on-line but if not, will ring vets back tomorrow.

Hi Lacy

Rostfrei means rust free, so stainless steel at a guess :)  I'd be interested to know what ones your vet suggested too.  Thanks for checking...

xx

> Rostfrei means rust free, so stainless steel

Yes, had managed to work that one out but there is also a maker by that name who do knives & scissors, so just going down that route till I can find out supplier. Will let you know. Best wishes.

dogs a babe

Have at last found on line a picture of our clippers.  I hope this link works [url=http://www.shoof.com.au/auscatalogue/page_96.pdf]
Have spoken to our old vets again and they have some similar in stock if not the same as these.  Ours are the green ones four down on the right