Many pet owners are surprised to learn just how many different types and sizes of clipper blades there are to choose from. Every blade has different specifications, characteristics and each produces different cuts. Blades are available for nearly every brand and type of clipper. In fact most clippers take Oster A5 compatible blades.

Blades are actually the composite of two blades, the top blade which is the "comb." The comb feeds hair into the lower cutting blade. Only the cutting blade moves back and forth through the motor of the clipper.

Blades vary in the "cut" they provide, or the length of the hair that remains after being clipped by the blade. Cut sizes vary whether you are cutting with the grain of the coat, or against the grain of the coat. Going with the grain of the coat leaves approximately twice as much cut length as going against the grain. Blades are attached to clippers either by easy snap-on, or having to affix or remove them using a screw driver.

Groomers use various size of blades that could be categorized as "finishing blades, skip tooth blades and wide or "T" blades.

• FINISHING BLADES - Finishing blades are ideal for blending areas of longer and shorter hair.
• SKIP TOOTH BLADES - Skip tooth blades feed more hair into the cutting blade which makes them ideal for pre-bathing grooming, especially for removing matted hair in coats.
• WIDE or "T" BLADES - As the name implies, blades are wider to more efficiently groom large dogs and removing coats quickly.

List of Blades

In general, uses for each blade can be categorized in three areas. They are Body Cutting, All Purpose Cutting and Specialty Cutting. Below you will find a list of popular blades, but there are additional ones not listed here.

BLADES FOR MAIN BODY CUTS

• Size 4 - Cut length 3/8" / 9.5 mm
  Skip Tooth blade ideal for short legged dogs like Westies, Scotties, Cairn and Australian Terriers.
• Size 4F - Cut length 3/8" / 9.5 mm
  Full Tooth finishing blade version of the Size 4.
• Size 5 - Cut length 1/4" / 6.4 mm
  Skip Tooth blade for body work leaving a shorter cut than Size 4.
• Size 5F - Cut length 1/4" / 6.4 mm
  Full Tooth finishing blade version of the Size 5.
• Size 7 - Cut length 1/8" / 3.2 mm
  Skip Tooth blade popularly used on many breeds. Ideal for matted coats when blended.
• Size 7F - Cut length 1/8" / 3.2 mm
  Full Tooth finishing blade version of the Size 7.

ALL PURPOSE CUTTING

• Size 8 - Cut length 7/64" / 2.2 mm
  Head, face and neck, commonly used on some Terriers and Sporting Breeds.
• Size 8 1/2 - Cut length 5/64" / 2.0 mm
  Ideal for various uses on Terriers.
• Size 9 - Cut length 1/16" / 1.6 mm
  Smooth finish commonly used on Spaniels and Schnauzers.
• Size T-84 - Cut length 3/16" / 4.5mm
  Wide cutting surface for medium length. Large dogs and dense coats.
• Size 10 - Cut length 1/16" / 1.6 mm
  Underbody areas such as the stomach and genital areas. Short, popular blade.
• Size 15 - Cut length 3/64" / 1.2 mm
  Poodle feet and pads, face, as well as Terrier and Cocker faces. Close cut.
• Size 30 - Cut length 1/100" / .25 mm
  Closer than the Size 15, often used in show trimming. May be used under Snap-on Combs.

SPECIALTY CUTTING

• Size 5/8 - Cut length 1/32" / 0.8 mm
  Only 5/8 inch wide cutting surface. Usually used for cutting around feet and setting patterns. Very close cutting.
• Size 7/8 - Cut length 1/32" / 0.8 mm
  Only 7/8 inch wide cutting surface. Usually used for cutting around feet setting patterns. Very close cutting.