Ceramic Clipper blades

[Patches]

After two clipper lessons with my horse who HATES the clippers and usually rears, I managed to achieve a test patch of clipping on her neck yesterday with my ceramic/titanium bladed trimmers. So I'm looking into buying a new set of proper clippers (again) as I want some cordless ones this time and can't decide whether to go with ceramic or normal blades. Also going along this route as they are quieter than my Liveryman Arenas.

One thing I'd like to know is how many clips can you manage (on average) between sharpenings if you go for the ceramic ones? Also, I have read that over time, the ceramic powder coating comes off during the sharpening procress and you're left with a normal metal blade. So, how long (how many sharpenings) before that's likely to happen?

Incase you're interested, this is the little trim I did on Patches neck as part of clipper lesson number two yesterday! I know it's made a mess of her coat, but I'm looking at the bigger picture here! Hoping to end up with a horse who will one day let me clip her properly. Can't believe how far she's come in just two sympathetic sessions. Never used to be able to approach her full stop without rearing. She is trying so hard. Sweated up alot yesterday, but still had it in her to stand for me. Bless her heart.

Anyway, I'm waffling.

Here's the pic, proof that she was clipped with nothing else but a Dually. She was wearing a rug as I did it in the field, hence why it stops where the rug would start.

 

[neigh]

Yeh, you are right the cermic blades are just a coating, so as soon as they are sharpened the they are no longer ceramic. I got my cordless ones from Clippersharp, give them a ring and they will advise you.

 

[Louby]

Ive got the ceramic and the metal ones. I prefer the ceramic clip as the others clipped like a shavens mans face. Totally bald! You have to have a really clean coat for the ceramics as they do blunt quicker, I did 2 clips last year and tidied up his feathers a few times before sending them to be sharpenned, not sure how blunt or unblunt they were at that point. Mine came back still with the blue ceramic coating and clipped as a ceramic blade the following year. I sent them to Wahl who made them so I dont know if that would have made a difference, probably not. Im sure I'll find out this year!

 

[Theresa_F]

Cannot comment on ceramic blades but had to say WELL DONE

Now we are just changing over to coming in, I will be tackling the huge hairy Cairo and little Stinker is also having a low trace this year as he got so hot when asked for 15 minutes walk and trot at the weekend when long reining. Plan to bribe him with the Cairo Special Candy treat whilst doing it.

 

[Patches]

Hi Theresa!

Good to hear from you!

It gets better, that was yesterday's clipper lesson. The results of todays, are as follows...

 

[Theresa_F]

Looks like you have it sussed. Was going to PM you as not chatted for ages. Hope you are ok.

Methinks that your old saucepan should come out and you make a Cairo Candy for someone being such a good girl.

She looks very smart.

Wonder if she feels more relaxed at being out in the open with no association of being inside and clipped?

 

[Patches]

That's the whole theory T_F.

She is less inclined to want to fight and rear as she doesn't feel trapped with her demons (clippers).

It's remarkable really. I was quite emotional about it all today after I'd done it. Looks stupid when i take her rug off as she has the remnants of a blanket clip, but who cares! I did it, she did it....WE DID IT!

How big is Chancer now?

 

[S_N]

Oh WOW!! Clare that is so, so, so, SOOO awesome!!! She looks so pleased with herself - like "Did I do well then Mum?..... Yeah, I did, didn't I!" Gotta love Patches!! You two have been through so much together now - I will re-iterate what I said the other day! You guys have become a real partnership and she's a lucky horse to have you!!

 

[Patches]

Oh Isobel, thanks so much.

It's lovely to hear such nice things. I really do feel like we've bonded so much more since she had her knee surgery last year. I've taken the time and patience to work through the issues she'd developed. I can't take all of the credit though, Lucy gave her four wonderful years of ownership before me, and without that I don't think Patches would have been the horse she's matured into.

 

[S_N]

You're very welcome!!

I just realised that I never answered you query. I have ceramic bladed clippers (Moser Artiko- therefore with a cord) and they are great! I clipped my sisters old horse 3 x with them - 1 full clip (when he truely was Yak like) and 2 hunter clips. The following summer, I fully clipped Tops in the heat in June, then hunter clipped him in August, then 2 high traces in Oct (Tops and one other horse), followed by 5 more full clips - interspersed with clipping his feathers off. Only NOW are they in need of sharpening! As I have nothing to clip, sharpening them can wait. They are also REALLY quiet, small in the hand, light weight and handy! I LOVE them and I don't think I'd ever buy any other type - apart from maybe the Avalon's - same clipper, but cordless

 

[Patches]

Yup, it's the Avalons I think I'm going to get.

Just have heard varying reports on the durability of the blades. Thanks for that though SN_B

I think I'm getting a new ponio soon too! Play toy. I'll pm you

 

[S_N]

OOOoooooo really???? You mean you want Hector??? Yaaayyyyyy

*that'll get 'em talking*

 

[Patches]

Lol!

He'd cost as much as my whole manege is going to cost me!

 

[S_N]

Naaahhhhh he's been reduced to clear

 

[Patches]

lol! It's like a designer clothes label sale..might be "cheap" for those who buy them but when you shop at Asda like I do.....designer cheap is NOT cheap!

 

[S_N]

PMSL!!!!!

 

[Patches]

I'm so classy! LOL

 

[TheresaW]

I have got the avalons and use a ceramic blade. To date, I have fully clipped Mac 4 times and clipped off Doll's feathers probably half a dozen times. I also used to hog Mac and used them for that about 4 or 5 times. I am just thinking about getting the blades sharpened.

 

[Theresa_F]

He has grown so much since I got him - a year this weekend. Has gone from 5'6 to 6' rugs and is now 14.2 at the front and nearly 15 at the rear.

Vet reckons he will make 15.1 and could go up to 15.3

I have some pics of him in the new lounge under a post I made yesterday so you can see what he is looking like.

Done really well this year - won the 2 year old class at the Amature Show Soc Champs - my proudest moment. Now ready to back - will do it at Christmas when he is 21/2 - he has been checked out by vet and physio who said he is physically very mature.

Watch this space for the next adventure.