Testing clipper blade sharpness - not near a horse? possible?

Fifty Bales of Hay

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I wonder if anyone can help or guide me, is there a way, other than putting on the clippers and finding they drag through the hair of horses coat, of testing the sharpness of clipper blades?

I have quite a few sets of blades, and probably half of them need re-sharpening, and I would like to find out which ones without having to test them on the horse but can put them on the clippers.

Is this possible, has anyone a way of telling by feel? Or can tell me how to do it?
 
Seriously, you could clip the horse's tail. Tather than using scissors, use the clippers to level it. That would give a good indication.
 
Thanks all - yes I've got a dog, but not sure she'd let me near her with the noisy clippers! I'll give it a go tomorrow, she might be a short haired dog as of tomorrow!

Trimming and levelling the tails a good idea, but I've so many blades to test, I think I'd need about 25 horses or mine will end up with a 12" tail by the time I've finished LOL.

Straw, I wonder if hay would work? The horse blades are a lot closer than shearing blades aren't they?

Any other testing ideas anyone?
 
Hi, best testing method is pop into town and see if there is a shop that does faux fur! IE like you line jackets with, or pop down to your local charity shop and see how little you can buy an old fur coat or stole for. Then back home and voila clipper test. I used to buy fur off cuts from a leather jacket company in 10kg bags, but charity shop fur coats are a cheap source. Also keep your blades as pairs. I know it is more cost, but at the start of the season, it sometimes pays to have them all sharpened and then you know where you are. Put a piece of card in with each pair and note what you have clipped and any info. Then when you get them out later you will know what each set has done.



Regards

The Engineer
 
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