I clip my own mini schnauzer and would like some advice from anyone out there.  At the moment, his jacket is cut on 4.25 mm comb and clip (3 mm comb on 1.25 setting).  His coat is a little wavy, and when I clip, the cut seems to go with the wave and it leaves a type of ridged/wavy effect on his back and when it grows it grows back as if it wasn't really cut straight.  I don't really want to cut it any shorter which might get over the problem. I used to leave it longer over the Winter but it seems worse now.   I don't always wash and blow dry the coat before I clip (I possibly did wash him over the Winter before a clip) - maybe I should always try to dry the coat as straight as possible before I clip - hmm this sounds the obvious answer now I have written it.  Any tips please. 

Just thought I would give the question a last boost to see if anyone out there can help.

I am a dog groomer and on a schnauzer we use a 5 or 7F finish.  I usually clip of roughly first then always bath and blow dry.  once dry I then clip off again. You will not get a good finish unless the coat is clean.  Have you tried handstripping him which would make it looker nicer?  If he has got a wave in his coat I am  afraid it will always look untidy no matter what length blade you use.  I have Yorkies which come in with curly coats and never look terribly tidy.  Hope this helps.

Have you tried clipping against the grain as opposed to the way the hair grows.  I know this will cut it shorter but believe me it will get a smoother finish to the coat.  I always use a 7f on a Schnauzer that is being clipped.

Thanks for the responses.  I've never hand stripped and don't fancy it to be honest - although I do agree it gives a lovely finish.  Because it is a bit longer on the jacket, it does look more like the stripped finish which I prefer to a very short clip and because I do it myself, I can do it reasonably frequently.  I wouldn't want to cut it shorter than 3 mm (think that is a 10 isn't it) and if I cut against the grain with a 3 mm blade then it will be shorter than 3 mm I think.  What would happen if I cut against the grain with a comb on the blade, would this give a better finish?  Does using a comb generally affect the finish in your opinion.  Thanks for the input on the wavy coat - I was wondering whether this was the case.     Thanks again.

Have you tried stretching the skin as you clip, this tends to straighten the hair so that the clippers don't bounce over any curly or wavy parts.

I agree with one of the other posters as well, do a rough clip, then bath and dry and then do the final clip, the clipper will run smoother over the shorter hair.

At the risk of boring everyone to death - how about using a coat king as an alternative to stripping?   I use these on a few mini schnauzers and only a show groomer would be able to tell it wasn't a hand strip.  It works equally well on correct coats and softer coats and prevents that thick fluffy effect of too much undercoat.  Really easy to use too once you get the hang of it ;)  I can give a link if you're interested.

Dill, I haven't heard of a coat king before.  I've had a quick look on the web and there are quite a few sizes etc.  Can you provide a link please and advise which one you use.  Will there by instructions with it?  

I have tried stretching the skin taught whilst clipping.  It's strange because it's a lovely finish on the hind quarters and on the neck.  It's just the back that has the wave./ridges.

Lady Dazzle, I think I understand you.  You clip with the usual blade then wash and dry and clip again.  I certainly think that would help because I am sure that it is easier to dry straight when it is shorter.  Is this what you meant?

Scattergood,
If you deal with HUB or Snooze'n'Snack(DenbarUK?) they will advise you on the correct sizes and mine came with instructions - I use a 10 blade medium and a 16 blade fine, but am planning a 20 blade as well when I get to another show.  They aren't cheap but the blades are replaceable and they should last almost forever :D

Regards
Dill

You've got it scattergood.

When you clip the coat the second time, hold the skin taught above where you are clipping you will get a smoother finish that way.

Jayne

Thanks very much for the advice - you've been really helpful.

Your welcome.

Hope it helps a bit although you may have to accept that he has the wave in his coat. If so then running the clippers over on a regular basis when you find the length that it starts to wave at may be the answer.