Why does my blade get hot so fast? (and how to fix it)

Blades getting hot is not avoidable.  This is normal for any metal on metal contact, which heats metal over time, especially for the newer model, modern clippers which have much higher speeds. There are a number of ways to reduce blade heat which are considered best practice when using any blade / clipper. Here are the top 10 ways to reduce blade heat...

Oil

Using a dry blade can significantly increase the amount of friction between the cutter blades, which leads to increased heat as a byproduct. To reduce the friction, and therefore the heat, we recommend oiling your blades often, about every 5-15 minutes when first starting out. Eventually you will learn to know when to oil your blade by the feeling and sound, however blades do need to be oiled much more frequently than you would think.

Always oil a blade before every use, during use, after applying coolant or disinfectant, after cleaning, and before storage. Oil acts as a rust preventative, and will help minimize rust formation during storage. 

[product=andis-clipper-blade-oil-118ml]
Grooming essential for all clipper and trimmer blades. For use on all brands of blades, and grooming scissors. Always oil before you clip, after applying coolant, and after cleaning. Only store an oiled blade. Lubricates, reduces blade and clipper wear and tear, protects from rust.
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For help applying your oil correctly, read our guide on How and Where to Oil your Clipper Blades.

 

Coat Preparation

Only clip a freshly washed, dry coat, that’s 100% free of all tangles, knots and mats. Check you're following ideal coat prep. Trying to cut a coat that has not be adequately prepped will cause blade and clipper to work harder than they should, and heat up faster than normal.

The book Theory of 5 is a great resource also for not only how to achieve all the most popular trims, each with step-by-step photos and instructions, but also covers coat prep and how to use your clippers, blades and various grooming tools if you're less experienced - and of course there's also YouTube for how to groom tutorials.

[product=the-theory-of-5-by-melissa-verplank]
Melissa Verplank's Theory of 5 covers the 5 most popular styles and trims for each of the 5 key areas of the body with 25 styles covered in detail, giving you countless combinations to achieve the exact look you and your clients want. 5 trim styles each for the head, ears, body, feet and tail. Covers all pet styles and trims groomers get asked for day-in, day-out. Simplifys the groom for faster, more consistent, predictable results every time - and happier customers!
Not just for trained professionals, it also covers the essentials. An ideal tool for student groomers and beginners. Valuable learnings for every level of experience, up to expert groomers and tutors.
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Speed

Modern clippers are up to twice as fast as old model clippers. faster speeds means faster blade heat-up. Always use multi-speed clippers on the lowest speed. Save the higher speed for thick or difficult areas only.

If you’re a beginner / less confident groomer, so are taking longer than normal to clip, with practice or training you will become faster as you gain confidence (meaning blades run for less time).

While learning, use the lowest speed possible. Grooming schools are well worth attending and most run short classes for learning the basics. Good coat prep will also help shorten clipping time.

Two blade minimum 

Don't rely only on one blade to do all the work. It is best to own at least two standard (size 10) blades minimum, and simply swap for a cool blade when one heats up. It's also a great idea to have a backup for when one of your blades inevitably goes blunt. 

[product=andis-ultraedge-size-10-blade-1-5mm]
The Andis UltraEdge Standard Size 10 blade leaves the coat 1.5 mm. This A5 blade fits all brands of A5 model clippers.
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Ceramic

Consider a ceramic blade instead of a steel blade (note however that ceramic  stays sharper longer however cannot be sharpened once dull like full-steel blades can). Ceramic is a material that stays cooler longer, however note even a ceramic blade is still combined with a steel blade, so will still heat up with use.

[product=andis-ceramicedge-size-10-blade-1-5mm]
The Andis CeramicEdge Size 10 blade leaves the coat 1.5 mm. This A5 blade fits all brands of A5 model clippers. With 1 ceramic (white) blade and 1 steel blade, CeramicEdge blades stay sharper up to 5 x longer and run up to 75% cooler than full-steel blades. 
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[product=andis-ceramicedge-coarse-cutter]
Sturdy and reliable, the Andis CeramicEdge Coarse Cutter is compatible with all A5 style detachable blades. CeramicEdge blades stay sharper up to 5 x longer and run up to 75% cooler than full-steel blades. Convert your existing blades to longer lasting and cooler clipping ceramic. Coarse cutter is suitable for blade sizes 30, 15, 10, 9, 8.5, 7FC, 7, 5FC, 5, 4FC, 4, 3-3/4FC, 3-3/4, 3/4"HT and 5/8"HT.
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Touch check 

Touch the blade at least every 5-10 mins. It may be warm, but should not be too hot to hold your finger on. Apply coolant if hot. If you do not have coolant, stop clipping. Swap for a cool blade (oil the new blade before use). If you don't have coolant or a second blade, put your clipper down, let the blade cool, add a drop of oil. Continue again once cool.

[product=andis-cool-care-plus-spray-439g]
The Andis Cool Care Plus blade spray is a 5 in 1 formula that serves as a lubricant, disinfectant, coolant, cleaner and rust preventive with a country-fresh scent. Designed to enhance clipping action, reduce friction and help to preserve your blades. Special SureGrip™ sculpted can is easy to hold and the high pressure nozzle sprays hair out of blade teeth with ease.
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[product=wahl-blade-ice-spray-397g]
Wahl Blade Ice Spray is designed for all brand clippers and trimmers with detachable blades. Cools clipper blades instantly. A coolant, lubricant and cleaner in one. To Use: Spray on blades occasionally during use when blades heat up, or to prevent friction and heat. Helps extend the life of your blades. Note: Will lightly lubricate your blade but does not replace the need for blade oil, especially before use, after cleaning, and before storing any blade. Always wipe off excess before continuing to clip.
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Remove dead coat

Before you clip it’s important to remove stuck, dead coat. If this isn’t removed it can clog your equipment and make it work harder than it has to. This can lead to increased blade heat, and might even stop your clippers from working properly, making it grab or chew or not cut at all. Trying to clip through that dead coat will also dull or blunt your blade sooner than usual. This step is important for non-shed coat types also, where dead coat does not drop out, and gets stuck in the coat instead.

To check if your dog has stuck undercoat, run a grooming comb through your dogs coat. If your comb cannot smoothly pass through the coat, there will either be knots or stuck undercoat in the coat. You will either need to remove this prior to clipping, or use a shorter blade to go underneath it.

[product=andis-steel-grooming-comb-10-250mm-poodle-comb]
This is the larger of the two best selling steel grooming combs by Andis with long 4cm teeth and a longer 25cm / 10" comb length to get down through longer coats. Ideal for wool coats like Poodle, Bichon, 'Oodles and any longer, thicker, denser coats like Collies.
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You can brush out dead, stuck coat out using a slicker brush. You can use a deshed shampoo and conditioner (like ProGroom Furex 3 step system), to help loosen stuck coat in the bath so it washes out. A proper dog dryer will also blow out stuck, dead coat after bathing. And a tool like a deshedding rake can be used before or after the bath, before you clip. A deshedder can also be used at any time to thin thick non-shed coats, to remove undercoat, and for shedding coat types to reduce shedding by up to 90%.

[product=bamboo-groom-slicker-brush-medium]
The Bamboo Groom Slicker Brush with Stainless Steel Pins - Medium is hand crafted from one of the world's most sustainable materials...bamboo! It's both light weight and durable. Featuring an ergonomic handle with rubber thumb support for a secure hold. Designed for all coat types. Angled pins reach into the undercoat to gently remove loose hair.
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[product=andis-original-deshedding-rake]
Removes undercoat, loose & trapped dead fur, for both shedding & non-shedding coats. Reduces shedding by up to 90%. Provides relief from hot, dense undercoats for non-shedding coats in summer. Thins knot-prone areas. Removes stuck, dead coat before clipping. Helps return double coats to correct texture. Maintains top coat.
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Blade care 

Correct blade care will keep your blade running cooler for longer. Excess hair build up and insufficient lubrication can make your blades heat up very quickly, and may even lead to clipper faults. You can check you’re following correct care by reading our Blade Maintenance Guide.

[product=andis-blade-care-coolant-cleaner-dip-tub-473ml]
The new dip tub version of the best selling Andis Blade Care. Cools, disinfects, cleans, lubricates and helps prevent rust, all in one handy quick-dip jar that effortlessly rinses away hair and product build-up in seconds.
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[product=wahl-clini-clip-250ml]
Wahl Clini-Clip is a ready-to-use disinfectant and cleaner for clipper blades. Designed to effectively disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces such as metal and plastic. It kills bacterial, fungicidal, virucidal and tuberculocidal organisms to keep your clients protected. It will also help to maintain the sharpness of your clipper blades, reducing friction and heat caused by under-lubricated blades. Formulated to be pH neutral, perfume free and alcohol free.
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For a visual explanation, watch the video below to learn how to clean, disinfect and oil your blades correctly:

Sharp blade 

A dull or blunt blade will heat up faster. Check your blade does not need sharpening. Using a hot blade will dull and blunt it faster. Owning a second blade is always recommended rather than using one blade that's constantly heating up and cooling down, which will shorten the blade's lifetime and cause early wear and tear. TIP: Sometimes what you think is a blunt blade - is actually just a dry or dirty blade that needs a good clean and oil!

If your blade has gone blunt, consider having your blade sharpened, or purchasing a replacement. 

Here are the 9 reasons why blades becomes dull sooner than expected and how to fix them >

[product=service-clipper-blade-sharpening]
Blade sharpening service for all brands of professional A5 detachable blades including Andis, Wahl, Heiniger, Oster, Laube, SmartCoat and more. We are also able to sharpen Wahl and Andis adjustable blades, Wahl and Heiniger trimmer blades, and Heiniger Xplorer horse/livestock blades.
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[product=andis-ceramicedge-size-10-blade-1-5mm]
The Andis CeramicEdge Size 10 blade leaves the coat 1.5 mm. This A5 blade fits all brands of A5 model clippers. With 1 ceramic (white) blade and 1 steel blade, CeramicEdge blades stay sharper up to 5 x longer and run up to 75% cooler than full-steel blades. 
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Motor type 

Consider the motor of your clipper. If budget allows, a brushless motor runs cooler than a traditional brushed rotary motor.  

Learn more about brushless motors here. 

New clippers

If shopping for new clippers, it's useful to choose a clipper with a slower low speed to avoid fast blade heat-up. Look for a 5 speed clipper, or compare low speeds when choosing a new clipper. Older model clippers were about 2,000 SPM on high.  New models are closer to 4,000 SPM. Double the speed means blades heat up twice as fast as they used to. 

WARNING: Keep in mind some coolant sprays do lightly lubricate, but will never replace the need to lubricate your blade with oil.  Coolant sprays can dry parts over time and residue can build up with frequent use. The cleaner in most coolant sprays also removes oil.  This slows down a blade and can make even a new blade seem to cut like it's blunt, due to increased friction, the blade not being able to move and cut freely, or product residue build-up.  Always thoroughly clean your blade after every use, then re-oil blades after cleaning, oil before storage and oil before every use.