GROOMING CLIPPER FEATURES

Each dog grooming clipper will have varied features and you will notice terms used like SPM or strokes per minute, single-speed, variable-speed, low-noise, low vibration, detachable blade, corded, cordless, lightweight, heavy-duty and super-duty. These will all have vast importance when considering The Best Grooming Clipper for Giant Schnauzers and all come down to your own personal preference and needs. The most important question to ask yourself is, “Can this clipper tackle my Giant Schnauzer’s coat? When choosing the right clipper, the cost is not always the most important feature to consider, there are several in the mid-priced range that can get the task done you set out to do.

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SPEED AND STROKES PER MINUTE (SPM)

Flip on a set of grooming clippers and watch the blade move side to side. This movement is referred to as strokes per minute or SPM. The faster the movement the more speed and strokes you have.

LOW SPM– tend to have less heat build-up on the motor as well as the blade.

HIGH SPM– can power through the job but, will heat up your blades quicker. It’s good to have additional blades on hand to switch out if your clipper is equipped with a detachable blade system.

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SINGLE-SPEED AND VARIABLE-SPEED

Single-speed dog clippers have a blade that rotates at one speed and tend to not heat up as quickly. These are generally inexpensive compared to clippers with multiple speeds.

An experienced groomer may have several clippers depending on what they are trying to accomplish, but for beginners with puppies, these can provide a great learning curve since they typically don’t run as hard and at high speeds nor heat up as fast. If you have an adult dog these could pair well with a second set using this type of clipper for around the face, sanitary, ear and feet areas.

Variable-speed clippers will have more than one speed, running at low and high settings. Multi-speed clippers generally have two or five speeds. This allows more control for the pace you are comfortable working with as well as give you more versatility that one grooming clipper can provide.

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NOISE AND VIBRATION

Low-noise and vibration are important features to consider when you have an anxious dog or puppy not use to the grooming process. For dogs accustomed to being handled and groomed regularly this may not be something you need to think about.

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SIZE AND WEIGHT

Each dog grooming clipper will vary in size and weight. Some clippers may provide a powerful motor but, will also need the space to house such a mechanism, leaving them slightly bulky. Other clippers may be lightweight and ergonomically designed to fit smaller hands and can also have a powerful motor to cut through even the thickest of coats. If you spend a lot of time grooming this may be something to consider for your own comfort.

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CORDED OR CORDLESS

Corded clippers have ongoing power. This is great if you plan to groom for longer than one-hour periods which is typical run time for cordless clippers though not always. Longer cords can reach further around your pet and grooming table (if you have one), keep this in mind when you think about how much area you will be moving around.

Cordless clippers are nice for their ability to travel with you wherever you go. You might be planning to trek across the U.S., or you may be headed to a Show. In either case, a cordless clipper may be handy to have. Most cordless clippers need recharging after about an hour. If grooming takes you longer than this, you can purchase an extra back up battery, if your clipper has the removable battery pack. Some clippers also have the ability of being corded or cordless. In that case you can also purchase a cord pack adapter for plugging into an electrical outlet. Another great feature to the cordless clipper is you’re able to move around your dog without the hassle of a cord getting in the way.

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CLIPPER BLADES

Some clippers allow for interchangeability with other brands while others are designed specifically to match the dog grooming clipper. Either way, the sharpness of the clipper blade for its cutting ability will be the important feature here.

Detachable blades can be switched out quickly and easily as they heat up. Other blades may not be detachable but, provide multiple blade settings in just one blade.

You will need to check often for any heat of the blade as you work so that you do not burn your Giant Schnauzer. Cool Care Plus cooling spray is good to have on hand and be sure to wipe off any excess before continued grooming.

Clippers blades in general are constructed from two types of material, ceramic or steel and there are advantages to both.

Ceramic blades stay sharp longer with the ability to cut through even matted coats and stay cooler as you work. They are a little bit more expensive and tend to not sharpen as well as steel blades. By maintaining them on a regular basis and not dropping them they can last for years to come.

Steel blades are generally less expensive than ceramic. Steel blades are also easier to sharpen and sanitize.  

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CLIPPER BLADE MAINTENANCE

Keeping blades clean of hair and dirt, sanitized and oiled after each use will help to keep blades cutting hair properly and performing at their best for many grooming sessions to come.

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