grooming/clippers

Question
Hi,

I am so confused.  I just bought a pet clipper.  I have a Maltese.
When you say #10, AC5 clipper...what does that mean?  Is a #4, #5, #10, the blade or the comb? The clippers came with one blade with a lever and several combs.  Please help.

Christie

Answer
Hello Christie!

The blade numbers usually have a measurement on the box or instructions that list how long they leave the coat, but to give you a general idea: The higher the blade #, the closer to the skin it will cut.

#10 is the shortest blade (and the safest) and will leave the coat only about 3/8" long, very short and the skin will show (though there will be a little fluff). This blade is best used for hygiene areas, and sometimes for the hair growing through the pads of the feet.

The #7 (not mentioned, but worth mentioning) is good if you would like to shorten the coat pretty close but not so close as the 10 but good for the summer.

The #5 is about a 1/2", again, not too long, but a little bit more fur and less skin will show through (depending, of course, on your pup's coat density).

The #4 leaves coat about 3/4" long, and is a good choice for a fluffy, but still manageable (not needing to be brushed until it gets longer) haircut. The skin usually no longer shows at this length.

Comb attachments actually can go shorter or longer than these, but are known as #1, 2, A, B, etc.. most of then actually have an "inches" measurement stamped right on them (ie. the #0 says 3/4" comb).

Please keep in mind the measurements I've given are more what they leave on the coat when used with the lay of the coat then what they can clip if they are used in reverse (ie. #10 is actually 1/10" but when used with lay of coat, leaves closer to 3/8")

Follow this link for a chart that shows the estimated clipper sizes and what they are best used for:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=5&ved=0CBwQFjAE&url=http%3A%...

Hope this helps!