During use: oil, brush, oil
A drop of clipper oil across the teeth every few minutes, with the machine running. Brush the hair out of the blade when you pause.
After use: clean and dry
Hair and skin oil are what stop a blade cutting. Brush it out, wipe it, and — on a carbon steel blade — dry it properly, because it will rust.
Storage
Dry, oiled, and not rattling against other blades. Chipped teeth come from a drawer, not from a dog.
Washable machines
An IPX7 clipper can be rinsed whole, which is the easiest way to keep one cutting. Dry it fully before charging.
This does not replace your machine’s manual. Sensor thresholds, cycle delays and temperature limits differ between models, and the manufacturer’s instructions for yours take precedence over anything written here.
The questions owners ask
How often should I oil?
Every few minutes of running, not once per session. A drop across the teeth while the clipper is running is the whole procedure, and it does more for blade temperature than any metallurgy.
When is a blade finished?
When it pulls after oiling and cleaning, or when teeth are visibly chipped. Sharpening services exist and take weeks — which is why professionals keep a spare of the size they use most.
Last reviewed 2026-08-17
