tokipoke

If you want a nice finish on a head - many dogs freak out with the force dryer on the head, it may be a good idea to splurge on a nice stand dryer. That way you can dry the head as you are brushing and fluffy dry. This will give a nicer finish when you scissor. Definitely upgrade to a nicer set of scissors. I love the Kenchii brand - the spider set is what I have (beveled edge) - I use it for everyday. A nice pair of convex edge shears will help. Beveled edge shears are nice for cutting through thick hair, drop coats, or large amounts of hair to block in a dog. Competition groomers always put on the finish work with convex shears. They are not meant for cutting large amounts of hair, just snipping the tips for a clean finish. I also love my thinning shears to blend the head for drop coats. And don't forget cute touches like bows and bandanas!

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Sawyersmomma

Thanks! Ok, so what stand dryer would you recommend?
Basically, I'm going to get screwed over with any prices. Petedge is much cheaper than renspets, but the shipping is ridiculous (yes, to BC)... but rens puts their prices on stuff way higher...
are there any other places I could order from, or brands you would recommend?
What about for scissors, Toki, you said kenchii is good, and I know people on here love chris christensen too...
So let's assume I want good quality equipment, but not absolutely insanely priced... What would you guys recommend?
Even with combs and stuff, this is all I have for combs Resco Prof Comb Fine Black Handle
Would I be better off buying only a few pieces of really good equipment? Or would that be something to do in the future?

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Piko & Sawyer <3

Sawyersmomma

I was looking on the kenchii site, and it showed the scorpion set https://www.kenchii.com/Grooming/kescSet.html
compared to the spider set https://www.kenchii.com/Grooming/kespSet.html
I saw the scorpion set was a level 1 and the spider is level 2.
Are the spider ones that much better, or would the scorpion set work just fine if I'm not planning on doing show dogs or whatever, just for the average dog...?

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Piko & Sawyer <3

star

This website has some good info on pet heads etc

Grooming Smarter: Teddy Bear Heads

I found that when I apprenticed I did not like how I was taught to do heads and I figured out my own way to do heads by watching other groomers, dvd's and videos. You will find your own technique and what works best for you. Results vary with coat type, condition and dog behaviour too lol. I would recommend you buy some thinners. They are like an eraser if you make a mistake you can blend and get rid of scissor marks. You do get what you pay for with equipment though but you don't have to spend a fortune to start.

Sawyersmomma

Thanks, the one thing the groomer I worked for didn't teach or use was thinners, so I'm not sure how to do that, I guess I'll just look online to learn

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Piko & Sawyer <3

tokipoke

I think the scorpian set will be fine for you what need. It will be a nice starter set. I love their shears. But then again, shears are very personal to the groomer, so one groomer may love a shear another dislikes. I've picked up Chris Christensen shears and they seem heavy to me. Kenchii is very lightweight. The only difference between the scorpian and spider is the material of the shear. You can upgrade later on.

I own a very nice convex edge shear but only used that during competition. I have never really needed a convex edge shear for pet clients because 1) takes more time to scissor, and 2) most pet dogs do not have the hair to get a nice finish (many pet poodles have wispy, floppy hair). So my beveled edge shears does just fine, and it actually "lifts" the hair as you cut, so it is good for drop coats.

For a stand dryer, I like the Edemco brand but they can be pricey. Whatever you do, don't get the Master Equipment PowerDry. I have that and although I like the actual dryer - it can double as a stand dryer or a force dryer because it is variable speed and comes with a stand you can mount or dismount the dryer on - the little plastic insert that goes into the base is a poor design and has broken on me twice! Now I have to get things from the hardware store to add onto the base to make it stand again. To save money, maybe you should invest in a CC variable speed force dryer. I have used the Kool Pup (I think) and it was nice because you can turn it down low and use it almost like a stand dryer (you'll have to get a clamp to hold the nozzle if you plan to brush at the same time) or you can use it as a force dryer.

When I learned grooming, I was never taught how to use a thinning shear! I was also taught just one way of doing a teddy bear head - short and ugly. For ALL breeds! And one style of poodle topknot - short. I developed the style I liked by looking at videos and pictures. The thinning shears does add on extra time to your groom so just be aware of that. I usually use snap on combs to block in the face, scissor sticky outies, then finish up with my thinning shears to blend everything (this is on drop coats). You can also use snap on combs for curly coats, but you always want to use scissors to finish the head.

You can purcahse Jodi Murphy DVDs on shears, snap-on-combs and thinning shears (3 separate DVDs) if you want to watch some videos. Or learn2groomdogs.com has many videos you can watch over and over again for a monthly fee of $42/month.

Some grooming items I can't live without (besides your typical clipper and blades):

- kenchii spider set (8" straights, 8" curved, 44-tooth thinners) (beveled edge)
- Bravura mini (non-adjustable #30 blade)
- Les Poochs matzapper (I use this A LOT - I want to be buried or cremated with this brush when I die)
- CC poodle buttercomb
- 3-4" blunt tip scissors (great for cutting out mats or trimming ear the eyes)

I've tried a Chris Christesen slicker brush and it was really nice! My future purchases will be the CC slicker brush and a CC comb that is fine tooth. I also want to get another LP matzapper, and I am looking at their greyhound comb. I also want the Wahl Arco.

For shampoo, I love Chris Christesen products for drop coats and curly coats. For bath dogs, I use Show Seasons products.

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Sawyersmomma

Thanks!! And in case I haven't bothered you with enough questions, care to explain the beveled and convex edge thing on scissors?
Aha I was only aware of... scissors, I didn't know there were different options like that, and don't really understand

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Piko & Sawyer <3

Ladyscarletthawk

I have to disagree with tokipoke about using convex taking longer to scissor with.. I find the convex edge like cutting with a light saber. Mind you most of my shears are beveled, but I can put a nice finish on a dog with them. It just takes me a bit longer to do lol. Most of my pet clients don't require using a convex because they get clipper combs or blades on their bodies and you just need minimal scissoring. I also hand scissor all my heads regardless of breed, I feel it gives me more control of the finished product. I am less likely to take the head too low.. A 3/4" comb may be perfect for most heads but some would have looked better with a bit more hair.

I think you can learn a bit from the shark fin shears website under their videos they talk about different handles and about convex and beveled.


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

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Laura, Eve, and Fergie

tokipoke

Most pet dogs do not have the correct hair, so they are fine using a beveled edge shear - most of them are taken short anyway, but even at a longer length, the hair still doens't act right. Convex edge shears give a great finish, but why bother trying to get an immaculate finish on floppy hair? That's what I meant by using convex shears taking longer... they are not meant to cut through a lot of hair, and on incorrect hair, no matter how long you spend on it, it still doesn't look right. It is nice practice to use convex shears on every dog, but I find not every dog requires it. I have a pair of cheaper convex edge shears that I will try on a dog with a better coat.

I was taught to hand scissor heads, even on drop coat teddy bear heads, but it just takes longer, and then you have the dogs that move their heads, so I find the snap on combs easier just to take the bulk off. Every groomer has their way of doing things - as long as the finished product looks good and the owner is happy!

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tokipoke

Here is a link to a groomer forum discussing the differences: what is the diffrence between convex and beveled edge shears?

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