I have never seen a "5 in 1". It's an interesting concept. How does one handle the blade getting too warm? Do you just have several of them?

I have an Andis 2-speed and use the ceramic blades. I have 3-4 each of sizes 40, 30, 10, and 7 so I can switch blades as soon as the one I am using gets too warm.

For those of you who do not show, you would never need a 40 blade and maybe not a 30 blade.

 

I have an Andis two speed for both my dogs with a bunch of different blades 10, 7, 5, 3 3/4, 5/8HT and 3/4 HT. Some are ceramic, some are just ultra edge; I never really noticed a really big difference between the two - they both get hot, just takes the ceramic one a little bit longer. I used to use this clipper for everything. I had "Andis 5 in 1 Blade Coolant Spray" that helped keep the blades cooler (not cold) and I would plan how I was going to cut so I could switch blades out before they got hot (e.g. feet with a 10, then body with a 7, then back to the 10 for face...). An alternative to having all those blades would be to get a good set of metal combs and a couple blades to switch and use with them.

With the addition of our spoo pup this year, I splurged and bought a Wahl Bravura with the 5 in 1 blade. It vibrates a lot less, doesn't get hot, is lighter and easier to maneuver, so far I have found it to be great for FFT. I have a spare 5 in 1 blade, but I haven't had to use it due to the blade getting too hot. Still stick to the Andis for the body.

You can get the blades sharpened. DH has an Oster A5 (similar to the Andis) as a secondary clipper for the dairy cows (10 and 40 blades). He sometimes gets them sharpened, but he thinks the sharpening doesn't last as long as the originally purchased blade. (Keep in mind they're big cows and he often doesn't bother to wash them so he's clipping through dirty coats, which is more likely why they don't last.)

I've never sharpened my dog blades. I've added to my collection over the last 7 years, but my 10 blade is the only one that I've replaced. Washing the dog(s) prior to clipping, keeping the clipper blades well oiled, brushing the hair out of the blades with a toothbrush and storing in a dry case have kept my blades in good condition for a long time. With your spoo you'll have more clipping to do, which may be a bit harder on the blades (?): my dog is about 30 lbs and is clipped at least once a month (for three of the last 7 years he was clipped every two weeks in the summer).

 

I have been wondering about the 5 in 1 blade, too. Can you explain why you don't use the Wahl Bravura for the body? I have an Andis with various blades, the ceramic ones are a metal top blade with a ceramic bottom blade. You can turn any blade into ceramic by buying the ceramic piece and swapping it out, much cheaper than buying a whole new blade. I find they stay sharper and take longer to heat up.

Another recent find is a diamond carbide grinding wheel for nail grinders. This does not get hot! Also grinds faster and smoother.

 

I have an Oster A5 and a Bravura. I too prefer the A5 for the body because I do not have to use combs with the blades as I would with the Bravura on the body. I much prefer the Bravura for FFT because it is quiet and light and does not alarm my spoo on her face like the Oster does. The 5in1 blade does 9,10,15,30, and 40, none of which I would use on the body without a comb for the right length.

 

Oh, that makes sense! Thanks.:act-up:

 

The only thing I have to add is that I don't care for the ceramic blades at all. I tried them, but I have white dogs and I could not see the hair on the blade. It was particularly bothersome when doing the FFT. I have both an Andis and Bravura. The 5 in 1 diamond blade for the Bravura does stay sharper longer than the regular 5 in 1. Also, there is no way the Bravura can get through Wilson's body hair; it just isn't powerful enough for a thick coat. Believe me when I say that I tried the Bravura after Wilson was very thoroughly, line combed; it was a job for the Andis.

 

I too have the Andis two speed that I use on the body with either a 5 FC or 7 FC ceramic blade ( it is usually hot here so I like short ).
I use my Wahl Arco 5- in- 1 black diamond for FFT.
The ceramics get hot so I have two to switch out while the 5-in-1's stay cool.

I have just collected these blades over the last 3 years and really didn't know what to do about sharpening. I just bought new blades when they got dull. So this summer when I went to the Houston dog show I brought all my blades and talked to several professionals there. I was able to get all the ceramics sharpened ( though according to them you can only do this a few times) and found that the 5-in-1 black diamonds can only be refurbished, not sharpened for about $15 a blade. Now I had heard this from several of our professional groomers on here so it was not a shock. I was not able to have the 5-in-1's refurbished at the time because there was a day long wait and I live too far away to have come back the next day. Also only some of the guys had the equipment to do them. So I think for me I will just realize that these are going to be disposable blades ( again what several professional groomers here have said ). When these 5-in-1 black diamond blades are new they are awesome.

Just thought this info may help someone because I have always wondered about how to sharpen these blades.

 

I have both and like the ceramic blades on the Arco since they do stay cooler than old fashioned steel blades. For the Bravura 5 in 1 I use the Black Diamond blade. It never gets hot. They can be sharpened, although a set length blade is apparently easier to sharpen and the vendors at shows will often do them the same day. I've had to leave 5 in 1 blades with them to take to the shop and then return to me in the mail.