PetGroomer.com Magazine Summer 2017 by findagroomer

eGroomer Journal January / March 2014

Vol 7 Ed 3

July / September 2017

PetGroomer.com Publications

M A G A Z I N E

Small Dogs Only Grooming Businesses

Results of the 2017 Survey How to Build a Treat Bar 39

Shoulders Going to the Dogs 44

Advantages of Groomers Working for Larger Organizations 67 Tips to Help Customers Keep Pets Cool in Summer 71 Maintenance Feature: Attachments, Cords & Andis Clippers 53 eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free Â© 2014 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved German Trim on NCMG a Standard Poodle 76 Photo: PWD Groomed by Ann Martin,

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stephen Mart PUBLISHER Find A Groomer Inc. ADVERTISING IN PETGROOMER.COM eMAGAZINE Display advertising in PetGroomer.com Magazine is only available to banner advertising sponsors of PetGroomer.com. To learn more about becoming a sponsor for as little as $1 a day see: www.petgroomer.com/bannerads.htm 800-556-5131 360-446-5348 PetGroomer.com Magazine is published as a download quarterly by Find A Groomer Inc., PO Box 2489, Yelm, WA 98597. Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Made in USA. PetGroomer.com Magazine makes every effort to provide information that is reliable and practical. It is not intended to replace diagnosis or treatment from a veterinarian or other qualified pet or pet care professional. PetGroomer.com Magazine does not assume any legal responsibility. Readers should always consult qualified healthcare providers for specific diagnosis and treatment. Information provided is not intended to replace formal pet grooming training including pet safety and handling. Viewpoints and commentary expressed in PetGroomer.com Magazine do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or opinions of its advertisers, the publisher or associates. Use of any content or services of PetGroomer.com and PetGroomerMagazine.com, including both digital and print copies of PetGroomer.com Magazine, is governed by additional guidelines, disclaimers and privacy policies and notices available at: www.petgroomer.com/mission.htm

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INDUSTRY CALENDAR

JULY 2017

OCTOBER 2017

July 25 to 27, 2017

October 12 to 15, 2017

SuperZoo Las Vegas, NV www.superzoo.org

New England Grooming Show Sturbridge, MA www.barkleigh.com

AUGUST 2017 August 10 to 13, 2017 All American Grooming Show Wheeling, IL www.barkleigh.com

October 27 to 29, 2017 32nd Annual NDGAA Fun in the Sun Orlando, FL www.ndgaa.com

NOVEMBER 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017 September 14 to 17, 2017

November 2 to 5, 2017

Groom Expo Hershey, PA www.barkleigh.com

U.S. Pet Pro Classic Dallas, TX www.petstylist.com

Send details about your industry event to findagroomer@earthlink.net. Be sure to include your contact information. Thank you.

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Small Dogs Only Grooming Businesses Results of the 2017 Survey

By Debi Hilley

By Grooming Business in a Box® One of the lesser discussed operations by pet groomers is small dogs only. We had no problem finding over 150 owners of small dogs only businesses to participate in a survey. Our goal was to help the industry better understand

their unique operations. Since 2006 we have provided a sample business plan model for small dogs only operations. As a result several thousand groomers were introduced to the idea.

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We learned there are at least a few hundred small dogs only businesses operating today in the United States, but no one has an accurate count.

(2%) and a surprise 26% said pet owner demand for small dogs only businesses was their determinant. Now what is that all about? Are there pet owners of small dogs that prefer patronizing a small dogs only business? It appears so.

Our surveys included 50 questions. In this article we provide the results for 30 of them. Many groomers presume the choice of being small dogs only relates to the physical demand of grooming. Sixty-one percent of surveyed groomers did indeed indicate less physical strain was a major factor. That left 39% indicating they had a passion for small dogs (11%), enjoyed lower rent expense

When asked why their customers prefer small dogs only groomers they had several answers. Seventy-nine percent explained that their customers prefer no big dogs around their small dogs. Eighty percent said small dog owners are attracted to the exclusive allure of a small dogs only groomers. Fifty-six percent appreciate a quieter environment and 44% being able to

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shop pet retail geared only for small dog owners. When these groomers also provide daycare limited to small dogs only nearly 50% of the pet owners tighten their loyal bond to their groomer. Eighty-three percent of small dogs only business owners said their clienteleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loyalty is above average. That is more than double the rate of traditional grooming businesses. Apparently small dogs only clientele react well to add-on services and are more likely to purchase them. Nail polish, mud baths and facials were the most popular add-ons. Specialty retail only for small dogs plays an important part for some business owners. An impressive 55% said small dogs only clientele frequently buy pet foods and small pet only retail. That figure is well above normal compared to traditional grooming businesses. While 81% of business owners said toys sell best, an impressive 72% said specialty small breed beds sell quite well. By now we were seeing that the small dogs only format could be substantially different from traditional grooming operations. Thirty-eight percent of small dog only groomers said retail sales are $26,000 to $50,000 a year, and 32% said (Continued on page 20)

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$11,000 to $25,000. Eleven percent reported specialty sales of $51,000 to over $100,000 yet the core of their business was still grooming. In other words, they are not clearly boutiques. Thirty-three percent said pet clothing sells well, and 29% pet jewelry. Fifty-eight percent of business owners indicated their retail floor space was 201 to 300 square feet, which is above the national average for traditional grooming operations (non-corporate). Normally as consultants we would think these numbers are more indicative of small pet boutiques with grooming departments. However, pet boutiques typically groom all sizes. We were instead seeing results from groomers serving small dogs only, and selling retail almost exclusively for small dogs only unlike pet boutiques. Our survey confirmed that 74% of small dog owners like to accessorize. Fiftyeight percent of the business owners said finishing touches (bows, cologne and bandannas) are very important to their clientele. Results from all size dog groomers plummet to 9% of their clientele are very motivated to accessorize their grooms and pets. Also only 20% reported finishing touches as very important. Small dog only

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groomers certainly are a different breed of grooming operations. What else do small dogs only business owners do that is different? Some of them add retail for humans! Twenty-nine percent sell pet-themed jewelry for humans, and 33% sell pet art (small breeds) such as figurines, statues and paintings. Small breed shirts (23%), books for pet lovers (21%) and pet stationery (26%) do well too. Finally, 19% sell aromatherapy oils, diffusers and candles. Besides not grooming medium or large dogs, what else don’t they offer that traditional grooming businesses might? A significant 84% do not offer selfservice pet wash facilities. Eighty-two percent do not groom cats. What about grooming prices? Do you think they should charge more than average prices in their area for being “exclusive” to small dogs only? If you said, “yes” you are right. The large majority of small dog only groomers (61%) do charge more! Forty-one percent charge “a little more,” 14% charge “more” and 6% charge “way more.” Where are these specialized groomers? That is a good question and we have some answers. Some of those surveyed

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were located in very high rent districts of major cities (11%). By being a small dogs only business they cut commercial square footage in half or more compared to all size dog groomers. We talked to Erin Leround, a retired small dog only groomer in Chicago. She owned her business in this format for 22 years. Exorbitant city rents made it necessary to groom larger numbers of dogs daily and that meant more footage. By switching to small dogs only she cut square footage requirements in half and still had 200 square feet for small dog retail. She said, “I never thought that every day I would sell 1 to 3 upscale, yet affordable pet beds. Within a year I was booked solid with loyal customers who wanted a small dog niche groomer. I had to get a local delivery service they bought so much retail specialized for small dogs including foods. It was the best decision I ever made. The city has affluent

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people who love small pets for smaller living in apartments. They love to spend on their petite pets.” Carly Harris bought Pet Grooming Business Plan Helper and Sampler in 2007 and opened her business in Orange County, California based on the Le Petite Chien business plan model included in the Grooming Business in a Box® product. She shared, “Small breed dog owners spend more, I am proof. Many carry their pets with them and that means the pets have to look their best including accessories. Most have at least two dogs and three or four is not unusual. I loved being able to rent only 600 square rent in very expensive Orange County, and we store extra retail inventory at home. I easily sell about $110,000 retail each year and over $200,000 in grooming services, and get very few complaints about my prices! Where else would these passionate owners go for small dogs only services? At end of the day I feel better grooming small!” ▀ More survey results start on the next page

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 How many years have you been a small dog only groomer and/ or business owner? A. B. C. D. E.

Less than 2 years 2 to 5 years 6 to 10 years 11 to 20 years Over 20 years

Do you employ groomers or bathers? A. Yes B. No

Do you employ customer service employees for grooming and retail sales if applicable? A. Yes, part-time B. Yes, full-time C. No

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 How do you define “small” for your small dog only operation? A. Weight Limit B. Physical Size C. Other

What is your weight limit for small dogs? A. B. C. D. E.

10 pounds 15 pounds 20 pounds 25 pounds 30 pounds

What is the main reason you limit grooming services to small dogs only? A. B. C. D.

Less physical strain on me Small dogs are my passion Demand for this special service Rent is cheaper for small space

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 Would you hire a groomer to groom pets over your small dog limit? A. Yes B. Maybe C. Never, we mean small dogs only!

Do you groom cats within your weight or physical size limit? A. Yes B. Maybe C. No

Are you a mobile pet grooming business? A. Yes B. No C. No, but we offer pickup/delivery

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 Do you also offer small dog only daycare or boarding services? A. Yes B. No C. Not Yet

Which best describes your clients with more than 1 dog? A. They have 2 dogs B. They have 3 dogs C. They have 4 or more dogs

How many small dogs does your business groom daily? A. B. C. D. E. F.

Up to 6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-20 Over 20

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 What is your annual gross sales of grooming services only for small breeds? A. B. C. D. E.

Up to $50,000 $51,000 to $100,000 $101,000 to $150,000 $151,000 to $200,000 $201,000 and up

If you sell small breed related retail items what is their annual gross sales? A. B. C. D. E.

Up to $10,000 $11,000 to $25,000 $26,000 to $50,000 $51,000 to $100,000 $101,000 and up

If you sell small breed daycare and/or boarding services, what is their annual gross sales? A. B. C. D. E.

Up to $25,000 $26,000 to $50,000 $51,000 to $100,000 $101,000 to $200,000 $201,000 and up

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 What purebred dogs do you groom the most? More than one answer is allowed. A. B. C. D. E. F.

Yorkshire Terrier Pomeranian Pug and Chihuahua Toy Poodle & Bichon Shih Tzu & Maltese Other

Do you offer self-serve pet wash facilities? A. Yes, small dogs only B. Yes, all size dogs C. No

Which most closely describes your grooming services demand? Bath-only pets are no styling, but may have de-sheds. A. B. C. D. E.

100% full groom 75% full, 25% bath only 50% full, 50% bath only 25% full, 75% bath only eGroomer Journal 100% bath only

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 How do you house pets during their grooming appointments? A. B. C. D.

Cages Cage banks Cage free spaces Portable carriers

Do small breed owners demand more customized styling than owners of larger pets? A. B. C. D.

Yes, frequently Yes, some Yes, rarely No

How loyal are small breed dog owners using grooming services of small breed only groomers? A. B. C. D.

Very Good Average Poor

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 What if a small breed owner also has a medium or large dog? Will you groom their over size limit dogs? A. No B. Sometimes C. Usually

Does your small breed clientele buy pet food and other specialty retail? A. B. C. D.

Yes, frequently Yes, average Yes, rarely No

What retail sell best to small breed dog owners? Check all that apply. A. Small breed beds B. Pet foods C. Toys and treats D. Pet clothing E. Pet jewelry F. Shampoo and tools eGroomer Journal G. Other

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Survey Results for…….

Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 How many square feet of floor space do you devote to small dog retail? A. B. C. D. E.

Up to 100 101 to 200 201 to 300 301 to 500 501 and up

How many square feet of floor space do you devote to small dog daycare? A. B. C. D. E.

Up to 100 101 to 200 201 to 300 301 to 500 501 and up

How many square feet of floor space do you devote to small dog boarding? A. B. C. D. E.

Up to 100 101 to 200 201 to 300 301 to 500 501 and up

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Survey Results for…….

Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 Why does your clientele prefer a small dog grooming business? Check all that apply. A. B. C. D. E. F.

No big dogs Quiet space Retail for small dogs Daycare available Boarding available Exclusivity

How popular are finishing touches (bows, bandanas and cologne)? A. B. C. D.

Very Good, above average Average Weak

Which grooming-related add-on services are the most popular? Check all that apply. A. Nail polish B. Mud bath C. Vet-related skin treatments D. Dyeing E. Accessories (feathers, jewels) F. Facial 34 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved G. Massage PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Small Dog Only Business Owner Survey 2017 How do your grooming prices compare with the competition that grooms not only small dogs? Are yours….? A. B. C. D. E. F.

Way more More A little more Same Little less Much less

What retail for humans do you sell? Check all that apply. A. Pet-themed jewelry B. Pet photography C. Pet art (print or sculpture) D. Pet stationery or software E. Books for pet lovers F. Breed themed shirts etc G. Aromatherapy and candles

What are the most popular sources of your new customers? Check all that apply. A. Web site B. Facebook C. Referrals D. Local advertising E. Media press releases F. Breed clubs eGroomer Journal G. Road sign

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by Leel Michelle

How to Build a Treat Bar Happy Pet Retailing for Groomers

Nearly every client loves to reward their pet after a visit to their favorite groomer. That’s YOU! What if I told you that adding well merchandised pet retail can help you to lower your payroll, increase your profit margins and keep your clients coming back for more? Why not keep your retail

clients “in-house” instead of sending them to another business? Through my upscale, retro pet salon and boutique I help groomers all over the United States and abroad by teaching them how to add small sections of profitable, wellmerchandised pet retail to their salons.

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I break down small segments of retailing and merchandising through live Facebook videos in a group called, “Pet Boutiques.” My aim is to inspire and educate small business groomers and pet retailers wanting to add or improve their pet retailing. Right now I’m going to teach YOU how to start retailing with a dog treat bar! A dog treat bar can be as large or small as you like! I started years ago with three penny candy jars on my front counter! Now one-third of my retail business comes from my pet treats! TREAT SOURCING Find a reputable treat vendor that sells chicken strips, bully sticks, pig ears, bacon twists or whatever you would like to sell in your salon. Pro Tip: Start with 3-5 different meats or treats and add or change accordingly until you get a feel for what your clients require. TREAT CONTAINMENT Buy glass jars, buckets, vases or other types of containers that look good when merchandised together depending on your salon decor. Keep in mind that you

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will most likely be adding to these so make sure you can get more. Although not required, I recommend getting jars with lids to keep them fresher longer. Pro Tip: You can buy multiple containers and jars online from restaurant stores offering wholesale pricing on larger quantities. TREAT DISPLAY Now that you have your jars and treats, you need to effectively merchandise them. The placement of your treat section is very important! Buy shelving for your treat collection or add them to the counter near your checkout or reception area for last minute spontaneous purchases! Pro Tip: You can create the feel of a “dressed-up boutique” by buying used dressers, buffets or armoires. Paint them with chalk paint to match your salon and then house all your treats in a collection! Try to find ones in good condition. Lighting is a bonus! LABEL AND PRICING Now that you have your treats, containers and location, it’s time to label and price your treats! Until you get comfortable with pricing your treats, I suggest adding temporary labels like chalkboard

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stickers to your jars. Pro Tip: Sell treats in multiples to sell your inventory more quickly which keeps them fresh. Example: 4 Chicken Nibbles for $1. SIGNAGE If you want to merchandise and sell retail professionally, invest in signage like the pros! How many corporate retail stores do you go to that have ZERO signage? Exactly! Hire a local sign company to make a “treat bar” sign. Hang it above your treat bar section. Pro Tip: Think carefully about the design and layout of your sign. You should use the same font, colors and themes for your future retail signage! INSTRUCTION STATION Now that you have all the important elements for your treat bar, create an “instruction station” for your clients. This area should include tongs, bags for product and simple instructions. Pro Tip: Type and laminate a “how-to” sign for your clients to increase your sales. These are known as “shelf talkers.” They act as unpaid assistants while you’re busy grooming and making those retail sales! Happy pet retailing! ▀

Leel Michelle Leel Michelle is the owner and designer behind the award-winning Pet Groomer Apparel brand, Retro Stylist Wear and the grooming salon and boutique, Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe. She is a San Diego native also calling Los Angeles, New York and Italy home. Formal education in fine art, art history and fashion design led this animal loving entrepreneur to bring all her passion, talents and knowledge together to create a memorable and beloved retro business for pets and their owners. In 2006, following 2 previous careers in corporate retail, and corporate amusement park management, Leel graduated pet grooming school to create and manage an award-winning pet grooming salon and pet boutique. Leel has also grown the Bow Wow Beauty Shoppe brand to include custom luxury kennels and product lines in production to help the average small business groomer and pet retailer increase their business profit margin by improving their pet retail merchandising. Most days you will find Leel Michelle at her shoppe, inspiring other groomers & pet retailers with live Facebook posts on “Pet Boutiques,” with her family, or at a trade show making the world more Fabulous-one smile & smock at a time! See www.retrostylistwear.com. Watch for her new GroomWise blog coming soon at www.groomwise.com.

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Clip Shoppe School of Dog Grooming

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GroomFit by Vera Needham

Shoulders Going to the Dogs Lately I have been thinking a lot about a car I purchased recently. The car was difficult to navigate. If I hit a bump it would pull hard to the right. I should have taken it immediately for an inspection but I was busy. I put it off. By the time I took the car in for service my right front tire was completely worn. The ball joint needed to be changed as well as tie rods. I was told it all could have been prevented with an alignment. What could have been an easy fix ended eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free

up being an expensive repair. That’s what I’ve been telling groomers for years. When we are out of alignment joints wear out quickly and tissue breaks down. The longer the problem continues the more damage and the more difficult the repair. The amount of damage that had occurred in a relatively short period of time fascinated me.

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One of the pioneers of body alignment is a gentleman named Dr. Vladimir Janda. He did a life study of understanding the predictable pattern of muscular compensation and postural imbalances. Dr. Janda was the first to identify what he called the Upper Cross Syndrome. Forward head posture causes strain to muscular attachments of the shoulder and shoulder blade producing a rounded shoulder appearance. Here is a quick test to see if rounded shoulders are affecting shoulder joint position. Dangle your arms at your side and extend your thumbs. Your thumbs should be facing forward and not turned in toward your legs. If thumbs are turned inwards it probably means you are affected with rounded shoulder posture. When we groom everything is in front and in center. As puppy stylists we turn our thumbs inward hundreds of times per day to scissor, brush and comb. It doesn’t look harmful to the normal observer, but the repetitive action can cause significant overuse injuries. When we tip our shoulders forward the shoulder joints are not sitting properly eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free

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creating strain on the joints. The majority of shoulder problems develop from poor joint biomechanics and muscular movement imbalances. It is important for pet stylists to be aware that shoulder pain is usually a symptom of deeper problem. Injuries happen in predictable patterns affecting stylists with such injuries as impingement, tendonitis and bursitis, and eventually rotator cuff injuries. Proper rehabilitation for repetitive strain shoulder problems for groomers must include protocol for reversing the upper crossed syndrome. So, how do we do that? I have found the following program to be effective. The region between the shoulder blades is often an area where we feel tons of tension and nagging pain. Poor posture, and the demands of long days at the grooming table, create postural changes within our upper bodies. They increase the forward bend of the upper part of the spine, and shift shoulder blades laterally, and that tightens chest and shoulder muscles. We need to loosen up chest (pectoral muscles) and shoulders, while strength-

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ening and shortening the muscles in the upper back. This relief provides longterm fixes needed to resolve the issues. When and how we stretch is important. Stretching helps to relax the dominant muscles for a few minutes so we are able to better access weak muscles. In this instance the stretch should be done before strengthening. Pectoral Release Start with a tennis ball in one hand and your arm extended to the side at shoul-

der height with the thumb up. Bend at the elbow bringing the tennis ball to the

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chest. Place your opposite hand on top and press the ball towards the armpit. Find the cranky spots and allow the tennis ball to release the tight muscle. Lat Release Chances are, if you have pain between the shoulder blades your lats are too tight. The lats are a huge set of muscles in your back and when they are tight they inhibit us from raising our arms comfortably over head. For this stretch start on your hands and knees. Turn your thumb up towards the ceiling. Push down into the tennis ball as you roll your arm away from your tailbone. Pull your tail away from your hand creating length and opposition. Hold for approximately 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side. Y-T-W Exercises Y-T-W is a series of exercises was developed to open the shoulders and improve posture. Hold each exercise for a count of five. (Continued on page 48)

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Y Exercise The Y position is the most difficult especially if you have shoulder pain. It may be helpful to start with one arm at a time. Start the exercises with the arms crossed in front of your body. As you elevate the arms make certain to turn your thumbs back towards the wall behind you. Press back as far as you can comfortably. Avoid letting your head move forward. You can add light weights if this exercise is pain free. See picture above.

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(Continued from page 48)

T Exercise Lie face down on a mat and place the tennis ball under your forehead. Extend your arms straight out to the side like an airplane with the thumbs up. Raise your arms off the floor. See the lower picture on previous page.

W Exercise Tuck your elbows by your sides making a W-shape with your arms. Keep the thumbs up as you lift the elbows from the floor. See picture above. Repeat each exercise five times. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong with our body in much the same way (Continued on page 50)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

(Continued from page 49)

that a car’s dashboard light indicates trouble. You can be like me and ignore the problem with dire consequences or you can take a few minute to correct the problem. When stars align things fall seamlessly into place. Our joints are the same way. Most groomers have a tennis ball in your doggie bag. That's all you need to get started today. Take charge and keep doing what you love with Groomfit. Just remember Y-TW. Yes this works! ▀

July / September 2017 PetGroomer.com Publications

Vera Needham is a Medical Exercise Specialist, Pilates Pro Trainer and creator of the Barber Stick. She has been a professional dog groomer for over 30 years. Who better than a dog groomer to know the vulnerabilities of the trade? We seem to accept pain as a way of life. With proper exercise and a Barber Stick it doesn’t have to be. For more information contact groomfit@yahoo.com.

WE PROMISE TO EXCEED OUR CUSTOMER’S EXPECTATIONS IN QUALITY www.showseasongrooming.com 678-382-0218 sandy@showseasongrooming.com eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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Northern Tails Sharpening, Inc. You Now Have a Better Choice!

Mail-in Prices Clipper Repair ● Veterinarian Equipment ● Beauty Shears Steel Blades

$5.00

Ceramic Blades

$6.00

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$10.00

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$10.00

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$10.00

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We are an Andis Regional Distributor and Repair Center Check out our website’s free instructional videos and articles helping you to maintain your clippers and blades. It’s free to download!

Jeff is a Master Sharpener and Certified Pet Groomer. He knows how your tools should perform. He won’t sharpen worn out tools which could harm animals. His office will call you if any of your tools look bad.

Please call or visit our website for mailing information. http://www.northerntails.com/ 52

(251) 232-5353 Mobile, Alabama

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Solutions for Comb Attachment Problems by Jeff Andrews, Northern Tails Sharpening Some problems associated with comb attachments can be prevented if you know what to look for. Not all problems are with the blades. Most problems are with the combs and clippers. When hair jams between the blade and comb you might think it is the blade not cutting. Actually it is more commonly something loose in the cutting system. Any movement with the hinge, blade or the comb itself will cause this symptom. If you frequently use combs, especially on an Andis clipper, hinge screws can loosen from the pull and vibration of the comb through coat. Screws loosen because they are screwed into plastic threads in clipper housings, and not metal. Check these screws weekly, and if they turn even a tiny bit it could be sign of a great deal of looseness in the system. You may see cornrows in the coat with or without a comb attachment in this case. Hair can also jam on the comb. Blades can still be behind the problems. Socket ears that stick up must be straight up and down, and not tilted outwards to each side. If not you may hear “blade rattle.” The (Continued on page 54)

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blade is loose on the clipper causing movement that creates cornrows. Hair may jam between the comb and blade. A worn out blade drive causes the same thing. Using combs frequently reduces the life of the blade drive.

The deck plate holds the blade and it can get bent from you putting blades on and off. Pulling back on the spring can bend the riser at the rear. It causes the blade not to seat snug on the comb. As you push the comb through coat, the blade is moving around on the comb causing hair to snag between the comb and blade. Make sure your plate looks like the picture. If it doesn’t, get some pliers and bend it back into shape. One popular misconception is which blade to use. Some groomers believe you HAVE to use a #30 blade on a comb. That is false. You can use any blade that will fit on your comb. If hair doesn’t feed into the comb, the hair has to go someplace. Hair is either 1) cut, 2) coursed under the comb or 3) jammed between the blade and comb. Try a #9 blade. As a flatter blade there is more space between the teeth and the hair feeds significantly better. The #9 works better on ANY coat. When you get a new blade, or a blade back from the sharpener do this. Try the blade on the dog someplace (belly) before putting the comb on it. If it cuts hair without a comb, and doesn’t with the comb, the problem is not the blade. Start looking for something loose in your system. ▀ (Continued on page 55)

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Maintenance for Andis Clippers ALL clippers require some maintenance. There are no maintenance-free clippers. Parts wear out and groomers have to address solutions for the signs of wear and tear. Whether groomers choose to do the maintenance themselves or hired the services of a technician, it is best for groomers to learn more about their clippers. Knowing how to maintain clippers prevents failures that could happen in the middle of workdays. Groomers are dependent when it comes to clippers so maintaining them only makes sense. While this advice holds true for all clippers, in this article we will look closely at Andis clippers since they are the most popular for American groomers, vets, and trainers. Andis clippers are very straightforward when it comes to maintenance. There is no such thing as a “tune-up.” There are parts that need to be checked, parts that need to be changed and they all need general clean(Continued on page 58)

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(Continued from page 55)

ing. The majority of this work is for the groomers. Not doing them lead to poor clipper performance. The first place to inspect is the head of clippers. Check to see if latches have a hooks on them. Next check hinge screws. If they are loose even one-quarter turn the clipper may drag and leave cornrows in the cut. Hinges loosen from frequent use of comb attachments. Next, look at the black part of the blade drive. Is it chewed up from being in the blades? If so, this causes a loose fit in the top blade of your blade set, and the clipper will drag and cause corn rows. Blades may snag when you attach the combs. Blade Drive The blade drive is the most misunderstood part of Andis clippers. It is also the heart of the clipper. When the blade drive is bad or weak the clipper will not perform correctly. The blade drive is made of plastic with scored plastic ribs. They connect to the tip which inserts into the top of your blade. Plastics fail with continued use and becomes soft. The blade drive in the picture is 4 weeks old, and its completely worn out. This drive is discolored from coolants being (Continued on page 59)

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(Continued from page 58)

sprayed on blades running on the clipper, and the metal bar across the front is lifting off the drive at the ends. When a blade drive wears out completely like this one, the clipper will not perform. The reason is simple. The plastic of the scored ribs has become so soft the drive bearing pushes the blade drive to one side of the clipper. It hesitates before the drive bearing can pull it back the other direction. As a result there is drag, cornrows and hair sticking in the blade. In this case, change the blade drive and all these symptoms should go away. Change the blade drive routinely. That guidance is in the documentation accompanying the clipper. Bad blade drives will shut groomers down. It is that important. Always have extra blade drives on hand. (Continued on page 60)

Jeff Andrews is "One of America's Favorite Sharpeners." Along with his years of grooming experience in two of his own shops, he is a "World Class Sharpener" that can sharpen all grooming equipment to better than new condition. Jeff is an author and pioneer of many maintenance and grooming video's and articles. They are for groomers who want to make their equipment last longer and save money on their sharpening costs. These videos and articles are on his website free to download and keep for reference. www.northerntails.com eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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of it from the drive bearing clear down to behind the hinge. Impacted hair behind the hinge blade prevents a tight lock of the comb attachment. Drag increases when you lay the blade on coats.

(Continued from page 59)

Hair

Air Flow

Hair is an enemy of any clipper. It causes problems in the cutting system when it is not cleaned away. Impacted hair around the drive bearing where it fits into the back of the blade drive is a big problem with Andis clippers. Impacted hair can shorten the back and forth stroke of the blade considerably, which worsens with thick coats or when comb attachments are put on. When changing blade drives dig out impacted hair. Remove all 60

Andis clippers breathe through a hole that goes completely goes around the drive bearing. Air flow keeps armatures cool on the inside. It also provides a way for carbon dust from the brushes to move (Continued on page 62)

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away from commentators where brushes spark. It is extremely important to remove impacted hair from inside blade drives allowing the clipper to breathe. If you don’t keep this area free from hair your clipper can get warm. Copper windings of armatures can start to burn and shorten the life of your clippers. Spray coolants applied to running blades may disturb the air flow too! Your clipper instructions tell you not to do this under the DANGER heading #7. Coolants are nothing more than alcohol and propane gas. The latter distributes the alcohol in a mist. Cooling is by evaporation only. Your clipper instructions state not to use spray coolants because there is no lube in them. It “lubes” only while it is wet on the blade. For this reason blades heat up fast. Coolants have health issues associated with them as well. Warnings advise you to use a safety mask when using spray coolants. The MSDS warns of 62

January July / September / March 2016 2017

negative effects to body organs and respiratory systems. You may feel tired and have headaches with constant use unless you wear recommended safety gear. Andis clippers, like so many others, use the two body halves to hold the cord at the back of the clipper. As you walk around the table, bending that cord in different directions, those body halves can bite down on that cord and start it to short out over time. You can help prevent this from happening with a simple “ziptie.” Ziptie your cord to the hanger as shown. This will make the cord bend out away from the clipper and not cause all the shorting. Ultra Edge users will have to straighten the bend in the hanger out with pliers first in order to ziptie the cord to it. ▀

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Twisted Clipper Cords

When groomers walk around their grooming tables with clippers the clipper cords twist. Unlike clippers, cords remain fixed producing and look like candy “Twizzlers.” See the top cord in the picture above. Twisted cords suffer from breaks in the wires at the back end of the clipper (Andis), or breaks in the solder joints connecting wires to switches.

To repair these cords problems, either a new cord must be installed, or a cord must be soldered again at the switch. In either case the clipper has to be taken apart for repair. PREVENTION You can prevent cord twisting. It will take some change and attention on your part. At least once a week, unplug your clipper and straighten the cord out on the shop floor. The cord should lay flat in a straight line on the floor. Next, pick up the cord, holding it as shown (see picture on next page) with the clipper dan(Continued on page 64)

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(Continued from page 63)

gling almost on the floor. Hold it this way as the clipper spins and untwists itself. Do this cord maintenance at least once a week. More frequently is even better. It will help prevent most cord problems or replacements. â&#x2013;&#x20AC;

Northern Tails Sharpening www.northerntails.com Call 251-232-5353

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Employers! Groomers! We Do All the Work for You!

GroomerNetwork.com Whether you are a business owner looking for a groomer, or a groomer looking for a position, we make the search and hiring process easy and convenient. www.tablesntubs.com 1-888-333-0827

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The Advantages Groomers Have Working for Larger Organizations Like Petco Some salon stylists love what they do so much that they dream of opening their own business. Others are looking for a way to earn a good living without the “corporate” atmosphere. Why would a stylist want to work for a large organization in the first place? There are many reasons why stylists choose to work for a large company rather than opening their own business or work for a smaller organization. Here are just a few benefits you may want to consider while planning out your next career move. • Benefits are extremely important to partners, especially ones with families. A large organization can offer choices and competitive prices on medical, dental and vision insurance. • Topline training and continued training is provided with no additional cost to the stylist – an Investment of 20 weeks of training with an average cost of $8,000 with no out of pocket to the partner. Many smaller companies require the stylist to pay for their own training prior to hiring them. • Paid time off allows partners to take time off without losing earnings. Taking a day or a week off whether planned or an emergency gives partners peace of mind when pay day approaches. Many smaller businesses are not able to offer this perk without sales coming in to cover the expense. (Continued on page 68)

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(Continued from page 67)

• A large corporation offers partners a choice to put away a percentage of their earnings for retirement in a 401K plan and even matches a percentage of the partner’s contributions. This is another benefit difficult for a smaller company to offer. • Equipment can be quite expensive not to mention the maintenance or repairs needed. Large companies can negotiate pricing and draw up contracts to ensure repairs take minimal time keeping stylists doing what they do best. • Working for a company that provides and maintains quality tools such as shears, clippers and brushes to do your job keeps stylists from having to spend money out of their own pocket. • Uniforms are provided to give stylists a professional appearance, giving customers full confidence. • Many times large companies are able to offer guaranteed hourly wages at a higher rate than minimum wage, a bonus plan for leaders, an incentive to their partners and career growth opportunities. • Work for a company with stability that has premium locations, an excellent customer base and national advertising to help stylists grow their sales and earn higher pay. Such companies can provide IT and operational support to stylists without any fees or waiting time. • Last but not least, larger companies can offer company discounts and perks that give stylists even more reasons to start their career. Before you make your next career choice, it’s worth thinking about a company that cares about your wellbeing by providing superior equipment, tools, training, competitive pay with benefits and prime locations with plenty of customers to grow your business….it’s the Petco way. To learn more about pet salon stylist opportunities with Petco, please visit: careers.petco.com. ▀ 68

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Tips to Help Customers Keep Their Pets Cool in Summer Heat By Groomers Choice Pet Products At Groomers Choice Pet Products we care about your Furry Family members! When dogs and cats come to you for summer haircuts, it’s important to remind pet owners that a fresh groom and haircut is just one way of keeping pets cooler during the hotttt summer months. Here are some tips to share with your customers helping them to keep their pets cooler and safer this summer. eGroomer Journal

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(Continued on71 page 72)

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(Continued from page 71)

dangerous level, and that’s NOT cool.

Never leave your pet parked in a car

Limit exercise on hot days

Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and the air conditioning on. On a warm day, temperatures inside your vehicle can rise very quickly to dangerous levels.

Take care when exercising your pets. Adjust intensity and duration of activities in accordance of the temperature and keep an eye on your pet as they can show signs that they are not in the mood for exercise because of the heat.

Think about these numbers, on an 85degree day the temperature inside a car with the windows just slightly open can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After only 30 minutes that will climb to 120 degrees! Pets can also become claustrophobic and panic when they start to get hot in a vehicle, which can speed up the overheating process. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage, or worse and die from the heat.

On extremely hot days, limit to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with light colored ears, and skin as they are more prone to skin cancers, and short nosed breeds who have more trouble breathing as well. Asphalt is also a major issue as it gets very hot and can burn your pets’ paws, so always keep some cool water on hand, and a pad balm handy just in case you need it.

Watch out for Humidity!

Don’t rely on a fan

“It’s important to remember that it’s not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity levels that can affect your pet, just like us humans. Our pets will pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which then alleviates heat from their bodies.

Pets respond differently to heat than humans do, dogs sweat primarily through their feet, and fans don’t cool them off as effectively as they do humans. Provide ample shade and cool water

Anytime your pet is outside, make sure If the humidity levels are extremely they have enough protection from the high it becomes much tougher for them sun and heat and plenty of fresh cool to cool themselves down and then the water. In extreme heat , add ice to their (Continued on page 73) body temperature will skyrocket to a 72 Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved Subscribe www.egroomer.com PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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drinking water when possible. Do not expect a doghouse to provide relief. In fact it’s just the opposite. A doghouse has no airflow and will make things worse. Watch for signs of heat stroke Some signs of heat stroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, lack of coordination, profuse salivating, vomiting, and of course a seizure. So again with the summer upon us it is vital that understanding how to keep our furry best friends safe, healthy, and happy in the dog days of summer is a critical part of being a responsible pet parent! Happy Summer from Groomers Choice Pet Products! ▀

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Classic Article Reprint

by Christina Pawlosky

German Trim on a Standard Poodle Over the years some of my biggest wins were showing and grooming Poodles. Even now I love grooming Poodles. But I hate de-matting or grooming unkempt dogs just like the rest of the grooming world. The German Trim is one of my favorite low maintenance styles because it really helps my clients to manage their grooming demands. Most of them love the German Trim too. It is stylish and

yet requires less maintenance between grooming appointments. I especially love it on male Poodles because it is very clean and handsome. The German Trim is outlined with universal combs and blades. I like that because it helps my work to be more consistent and it saves time. I can easily tweak coat lengths by simply selecting shorter or longer cutting blades or comb

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(Continued on page 77)

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attachments. In this way I can also attend to structural faults best left hidden. I used a #3 blade on the body of the dog pictured here using the new Oster® A6™ clipper. I blended off the shoulders and hips into the legs to show muscle and angulation. I left coat on the neck from the top knot, and then blended just behind the withers. From profile remaining neck hair was in line with the coat left on back of front leg. The remaining neck coat was trimmed to the width of the dog’s body. Careful! Try not

July / September 2017 PetGroomer.com Publications

to pinch the neck or shoulders. For the neck I clipped from just behind the bottom of the ear canal towards the elbow. I clipped and blended the remaining hair in with a #3 blade for a more natural look. The legs were done with a oneinch comb attachment over a #30 blade. I pressed hard on the inside, outside and front of the front legs. Then I skimmed the back of front legs making sure I had enough coat to align the remaining neck coat and the coat over elbows. (Continued on page 78)

Our school is not just about pet grooming. It’s about pets, the petparents, our community and our role in pet rescue efforts by creating the right habits and approach to each pet and their parents. From the class room to the Lab, and from our receptionist to our CEO, we only have one goal: To improve the pet industry one pet at a time! One Student at a time! Please visit our web site for more information eGroomer Journal www.egroomer.com Subscribe Free © 2014 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved www.johnpaulpetschool.com.

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(Continued from page 77)

The breed standard calls for the highest point of withers to be equal to elbow. I try extra hard to reflect that standard using the coat length when the anatomy is not correct. In this groom I wanted a good amount of “daylight” between those nice straight legs in order to show a proper well sprung rib. 78

July / September 2017

The rear legs were similarly groomed with a one-inch comb attachment over a #30 blade. I pressed hard on the inside and outside of leg and skimmed over the front of the back legs leaving the hock to scissor. I took the #3 blade down from the pin bone and blended at the bend in the rear legs creating additional angulation. (Continued on page 81)

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standard. The better the dog the less coat hair you need to style in order to make the dog appear more correct and beautiful. Next, I used my new Oster® Juice™ adjustable blade clipper. Face lines start from a point somewhere between the Adam’s Apple and the place where the neck dips back into the dog. Ideally you go as low as you can downward but stay above where the neck dips in hiding a U-neck.

(Continued from page 78)

When looking at a dog’s profile draw an imaginary line from pin bone to floor. It should land in front of the toes with the hock set straight. If the hock is straight and the imaginary line lands on the toes the dog is lacking “angulation.” This measure lets you know how much hock hair is needed to correct the outline when lacking correct angulation. How about another trick? Make sure front and back legs are the same size and at the same time complement the dog’s structure. Both legs should be straight and parallel to one another when viewed from the front or rear according to the eGroomer Journal

Expose as much length as possible by clipping up to the bottom outside edge of ear canal but remember not too wide as to make the Poodle look thick-necked. Then go from the top inside of ear clean to outside corner of the eye making sure your lines are above the cheek bone and even on both sides. Clip in a slight inverted “V” between eyes to accentuate the Poodle expression, and then clip the remaining hair from the muzzle. There are other things to consider when clipping faces. Compare your Poodle to the breed standard and whenever possible hide faults, such as the lack of a (Continued on page 82)

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July / September 2017

chin or a dish face. Sanitary work should be clean, and not be visible from the rear. Poodles should have a muscular loin and tight clean tuck up provided the they have correct body types. Clipping feet is dependent upon the dog having nicely arched toes or flat feet. Normally, I clip to the wrist all the way around. If a dog has flat feet I set the clipper line and bevel down lower to about the second digit and allow coat to lay neatly over the feet to hide them. In the groom pictured here I tightly beveled over Beemer’s feet because he has nice feet and the right amount of leg to carry it. For the top knot comb the coat to one side and use scissors. I started at the clipper work at the back bottom side of the first ear and scissoring over the ear. I used the clipper line reference again to form the front of the ear to the outside corner of the eye.

Now comb all the coat forward. Pull hair with fingers from over the eyes and scissor tight. Then angle shears outward and join the two sides of the head creating a rounded edge with a nice outward angle (slightly more than the sides of the head). To finish tweak the small amount of coat left over the skull and blending into the neck coat. The German Trim can be done with full or clean feet, and with or without some form of mustache. I personally prefer clean face and feet. If I were to do a mustache I would consider

Remember to keep the blade of your shears angled outward to prevent a Mohawk look. Keep combing to the scissor line and remove any hair hanging over the line you created at the beginning. Repeat for other side. Copyright © 2013 Find A Groomer Inc. All rights reserved 82 PetGroomer.com Magazine www.petgroomermagazine.com Subscribe Free

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full feet to match. I prefer ears and tail to match. My norm is to use a #4F, or even a #3F, on the top sides of both tail and ears. I also use a #10 on the inside of each ear and clean up the back of the tail with a #7F eGroomer Journal

July / September 2017

or blending shears. Some groomers do the ears and tail with a #10 or #7F blade. It’s up to you! Enjoy those wonderful Poodle grooms! ▀

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Journalthat January / March 90 is not commonly known relates toPetGroomer.com It’s eGroomer commonly known all brands of A-52014 blades fit any brand of A-5 clippers. What blade sizes. MostPublications brands of A-5 blades have similar sizes, but how they perform varies. Manufacturers must use design differences in order to avoid patent and copyright infringement. The most common difference between brands is the blade thickness. Similar manufacturer sizes may cut at different heights. You could be in for a surprise if you change brands of the same size blade only to discover the cut is different! For your convenience Jeff at Northern Tails Sharpening prepared the multiple manufacturer reference charts below for blades and snap-ons. Be sure to check Jeff’s web site at www.northerntails.com for more helpful articles, videos and descriptions of his mail-in services. ♦

Clipper Blade Cutting Heights by Manufacturer BLADE SIZE

BLADE CUT

MASTER GRM.TOOLS

LAUBE

WAHL

KLEAN CUT

OSTER

ANDIS

Inches

1/125

0.2

0.5

0.2

1/100

0.3

0.6

0.1

0.3

3/50

—

0.4

1/50

0.5

0.8

0.2

0.5

3/64

1.2

1.0

1.3

1.0

1.2

1/16

1.6

1.5

1.8

1.5/1.6

1.0

1.5

10W

3/32

2.4

—

5/64

2.0

1.5

1.0/2.0

2.0

8.5

7/64

2.8

—

2.0

2.8

1/8

3.2

4.0

3.2

3.0

3.2

1/4

6.4

6.0

6.3

6.0

6.3

3/8

9.5

9.6

8.0

9.5

9.0

9.5

1/2

12.7

13.0

10.0

12.0

13.0

12.0

5/8HT

5/8

15.9

16.0

—

16.0

3/4HT

3/4

—

19.0

T-84

3/16

—

2.4

Snap-On Comb Sizes & Cut Lengths by Manufacturer COMB SIZE

LAUBE SELF ADJ & X-LARGE

WAHL STAINLESS STEEL

MDC ROMANI

OSTER UNIVERSAL

MILLERS FORGE

Inches

1/16

1/8

1/4

1/2

3/4

9/16

1/2 3/4

3/4 0

7/8

5/8

1/2

5/8

1 1/4

1 1/4 1 1/2

1/2

3/8

5/16

3/16

3/8

7/16

1/2

3/8

5/16

1/4

3/16

1/16

1/8

1/16

3/4

1 1/4

1 1/2

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1 3/4

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7/8 1

Charts courtesy of Northern Tails Sharpening 251-232-5353 www.northerntails.com