How to Sharpen Hair Trimmer Blades
To make sure you get an even, smooth trim every time, it is important that your hair trimmer blades are kept sharp. When you notice your trimmer has been pulling your hair or giving uneven cuts or perhaps does not work as well as it used to, then it’s probably time to sharpen the blades.
Fortunately, with just a few tools and a little bit of time, you can easily sharpen your trimmer blades at home. Here are some steps on how to bring back your blade to top performance.
Tools You’ll Need to Sharpen your Hair Clipper Blades
Before you start sharpening your trimmer blades, gather the following tools:
Sharpening Stone: This tool will be used mainly for the process of sharpening the blades. A stone with medium grit is good enough.
Honing Oil: This acts as a lubricant on the sharpening stone. If need be mineral oil or water can also work.
Screwdriver: In order to detach the blade from your trimmer you’ll require small screwdriver.
Cleaning Brush: The best brush could be an old toothbrush; it’s good for cleaning the blades before and after they have been sharpened.
Optional Tools: Should you have leather strop or honing rod; they might fine-tune sharpness once done with a stone during sharpening process.
Step 1: Prepare Your Blades
Begin by unplugging your trimer in case of any danger associated with its use. Remove battery incase of battery operated trimmers. Use screw driver in removing blades from these machines set this aside for don’t let them loose while operating within their vicinity.
After taking off the blade clean them thoroughly. Blades may have hairs and oils which may stick on them so one should handle this by brushing lightly throughout that area using his/her own hand-held brush several times either prior-sharpening period or after-sharpening one equally.
Step 2: Sharpening with a Stone
Having done the cleaning, it’s time to sharpen. You should put your sharpening stone on a stable and flat surface. Add just few drops of honing oil to the stone to help in smoothening out blades edges whilst getting sharp. In case there is no honing oil, then a little water can also be used.
Hold the blade at an angle of between 30-45 degree towards the sharpening stone. While using a light pressure, stroke along the blade in one direction only. It is important that this edge remains uniform hence one has to maintain above mentioned angle throughout entire duration of blade-sharpening process. After finishing up with one side of the blade, repeat this for other side as well keeping number of passes equal on either sides so that they don’t get unbalanced.
If your blades are particularly dull, you may need to make several passes to get them sharp again. Keep checking how sharp the blade is after every few strokes until you have enough results from sharpening process and you are comfortable with its final appearance.
Step 3: Various Methods of Sharpening
In case you don’t have a sharpening stone, there are some alternative methods which can be used to sharpen your trimmer blades.
Firstly, one can use fine-grit sandpaper. Put it on a flat surface and move the blade over it at the right angle (as if you were using a sharpening stone). This method is applicable when you need a quick touch-up.
Another option is a honing rod or leather strop. These tools are usually applied for polishing and finetuning the edge of the blade after it has been previously sharpened with sandpaper or stone. To work with a honing rod, hold the blade at an appropriate angle and make smooth passes along its length against your body keeping arms straight but relaxed; for leather strops pull away from edge sweeping motion to refine sharpness should be used.
Step 4: Reassemble Your Trimmer
Once your blades become sharp again – time to put them back together! Carefully attach all parts of the machine making sure everything aligns properly; tighten screws that were unscrewed before until they stop turning further – this means tightened enough but not too much so as not damage anything in process.
Plug trimmer into power outlet or insert battery (if applicable) then test on small section of hair whether it cuts smoothly now or not; If still doesn’t cut well enough recheck alignment between both sides again and ensure tightness once more.
Step 5: Take Care Of Your Blade’s Sharp Edge
If you want to keep the trimmer blades always being sharp and ready for action – maintain them regularly!
After each use take few minutes cleaning these tools up properly: get rid off hairs stuck between teeth by brushing through them gently using old toothbrush; wipe clean with soft cloth afterwards. Such procedure stops any build up that may dull down cutting ability over time due to such accumulation.
Don’t forget lubricating those parts too: before/after each time applying some oil drops onto working area (especially if device is frequently used) should be done; This way reduces friction and ensures smooth movement of blade during operation.
Finally store the hair trimmer somewhere dry and preferably in special case designed for such purpose. Moisture together with dust can speed up rusting process or lead to faster blunting so it’s crucial keeping them safe from these environmental factors.
When Blades Should Be Replaced
Even though blades are sharpened on regular basis as well as maintained properly – there comes moment when they need replacement already. If after few attempts of sharpening still don’t cut like before then most likely should buy new set of blades or a new hair trimmer.
Also keep in mind that if any chips/bends/damages found on blade itself – it’s better changing them instantly not to spoil your equipment or hurt person who uses this tool.
While looking where sell spare parts look for high-quality ones adapted specifically for model being owned since only good quality items will provide comfortable trimming experience without pulling hairs out etc.