my friend is about to pick up her new Min schnauser puppy at weekend.
Breeder hasn't been very helpfull or specific about grooming tools for that breed, can anyone advise please on which brushes etc are most kind to their coats.
Babycakes

You mean your friend is buying a pup from a Breeder who has no interest in helping her care for her pup and learn to groom it? 

Ask your friend has she been told about ear plucking? and to be shown how to do it.   Mini Schnauzers can have very hairy ears inside ;)

This is something I would start at about 4 weeks old, just a little to start, but they do need to get used to it.  Leaving it for the groomer is not an option as some dogs/pups grow hair in their ears so fast that it's cruel to then have to pluck it out all in one session - especially as it can be impossible to separate and will have to come out in a lump :(   Little and often is best for both owner and dog/pup ;)   

I would use a puppy/kitten slicker very gently and a small and medium toothed comb.  

Is the breeder willing to show your friend how to strip her pups coat? 

thanks for that, very helpful. i will forward your mail to my friend. She lives down south with her family and already has a Lab so needs to get to grips with a totally different coat. Don't think the breeder is being unhelpful, just that the right questions aren't being asked  (by my friend)

IMHO a good breeder shouldn't wait to be asked the questions.
 
In a coated breed the prospective owner should be informed by the breeder just how much work is involved.  It's unfair on pup and new owner if this is neglected.  Some Mini Schnauzers have very profuse furnishings and can be high maintenance regarding knots etc.   Correct coat care makes pup and owner's lives easier and it's best if this is started while the pups are still with mum ;)

The Soft Puppy/Kitten slicker (small) I would use is a flat one, I find the curved ones don't do the job as well. 

Agree - I have a breed which needs grooming though not nearly as high maintenance as a schnauzer and I had a couple of paragraphs in about grooming including in my info pack.

I have two miniature schnauzers and once you get into the routine grooming isn't an issue (particularly if you get them clipped/stripped by a groomer).

We use slickers on ours and because we clip rather than strip (or rather my OH does as he fancies himself as a dog groomer) we also use a normal hard brush on their coats to bring out the shine.  Metal comb for beards and for knots in leg furnishings (trousers).  Your friend will have to watch knots because once they build up you have no option than to cut it all off and the poor dogs will look odd.  But their coats grow back fast so no major issue.

Delightful dogs with lively characters.