[Starvt]

I got my new clippers a few days ago and used them for the first time today! I had already purchased the set of metal comb attachments (Wahl brand, can be used with any brand blade) because I like longer fur but have no practice at scissoring.
I ended up getting a KM2 since it was half the price of my other choice, the Oster A5, which is what I use at work (vet clinic). The KM2 came with a 10 blade and I had also purchased a 30 blade.
I just did a trim around his back half, his hips were getting too fluffy lol.
The clippers worked great, they are fairly light and have a long cord. Although they are a bit louder than the Osters they don't vibrate much at all.
I'm planning to do face and feet in a couple days and will try these as well as my current no name cordless that I have been using for that til now.

(Edit to say, it's not letting me post pictures right now. Will add once I figure it out)

 

[Fenris-wolf]

Awesome! Glad it works great? please let us know how it goes.

 

[Starvt]

These are before, having been bathed and brushed and dried about 90%. Currently I only have a hand held dryer, I don't think Raffi is ready for a force dryer yet.
Don't mind his awkward stance, he kept trying to sit down. He is used to being able to just lie down most of the time since I had only done fft so far. Oh plus I had made an attempt on his waist about a month ago with my cordless clippers and plastic combs, needless to say that did not work out at all and I attempted to scissor it to even it out. That's why his tuckup is so obvious in the side profile.

These are after. I used a 30 blade with the 1" comb over his hind legs, the 3/4" for his bellyband/ waist and between his hips, and then the 7/8" to blend the two and to blend his waist into his jacket (I'm trying to slowly acclimatize my family to a more poodley cut lol. It's working so far, they like this one). I definitely have some touching up to do, I think I need to use the 7/8 or even the 3/4 a little lower on his thighs.

Apparently the best side views are taken when exhausted from an outing lol. This was a few days later.

 

[Fenris-wolf]

Raffi looks awesome?! I too only have a hand held dryer for Sisko.
It didn't work because of the combs being plastic? I've only used the metal combs on Sisko, but I was lucky enough to get used clippers from Sisko's breeder after she upgraded. I think his tuckup looks good?.

I'm glad your family likes it!? Lol true! Raffi looks so good and I think you did a good job on him! I clip Sisko myself, but it never looks very well or even.

 

[Asta's Mom]

Great job with Raffi - handsome boy.

 

[Newport]

Looking good. I love the long-legged sleeping-beside-couch photo!

 

[Skylar]

That last photo is so cute with him sleeping next to the couch. He’s adorable and you did a good job with his grooming.

 

[Porkchop]

Raffi is SO cute. My heart. I have a soft spot for fluffy black poos. Grooming your own dog is tiring but I’m having fun learning. I just used the wahl SS guide combs on my dog’s body for the first time recently and they are pretty awesome. I suppose if I groomed dogs for my job I might not be as excited to do my own! I appreciate that you shared the tools and comb lengths you used and the pics of your result. I think it’s such helpful info for novice home groomers like me. Did you shave with or against the grain of his hair?

 

[Starvt]

Raffi looks awesome?! I too only have a hand held dryer for Sisko.
It didn't work because of the combs being plastic? I've only used the metal combs on Sisko, but I was lucky enough to get used clippers from Sisko's breeder after she upgraded. I think his tuckup looks good?.

I'm glad your family likes it!? Lol true! Raffi looks so good and I think you did a good job on him! I clip Sisko myself, but it never looks very well or even.

You are lucky to have gotten your breeders old supplies!
I've learned through this forum that the metal combs work much better than plastic, but I think that another part of the issue is that my cordless clippers are just cheap ?

 

[Starvt]

Raffi is SO cute. My heart. I have a soft spot for fluffy black poos. Grooming your own dog is tiring but I’m having fun learning. I just used the wahl SS guide combs on my dog’s body for the first time recently and they are pretty awesome. I suppose if I groomed dogs for my job I might not be as excited to do my own! I appreciate that you shared the tools and comb lengths you used and the pics of your result. I think it’s such helpful info for novice home groomers like me. Did you shave with or against the grain of his hair?

I shaved with the grain. I'm pretty sure it would be more even if I cut against the grain, but it would be shorter too and for now I want to keep him as long as possible. I don't have any scissor skills so that's not an option!

 

[Fenris-wolf]

You are lucky to have gotten your breeders old supplies!
I've learned through this forum that the metal combs work much better than plastic, but I think that another part of the issue is that my cordless clippers are just cheap ?

Yeah! Oh, okay. I'll make sure to stick with metal combs. Oh?

 

[Starvt]

Raffi got his second full(ish) groom today! In between I had just been doing fft.
I used the longest comb (E) on a 30 blade, all over his rear legs, the back of his front legs, and his body from mid-chest back. I didn't want to take any off the front of his chest, so I attempted to blend from his shoulders to his body with some clipper skimming and scissors. Don't laugh too hard please lol.
For his head- I read and watched a bunch of ideas for the topknot. I thought I would clip it with the longest comb, but after using it for his body I decided it would be way too short. When it came down to it, I scissored a tiny bit and then panicked and just stopped. Oh well he will just need to have bands again.
I used a 10 blade to touch up his tail base, neck, and face- I shaved off his moustache for the first time since we got him ??. And the 30 blade for his feet.
This is before:

And after:

 

[Newport]

Looks good. He has a nice tuckup.

 

[Porkchop]

He looks great! Thank you again for sharing what blades and guards you used for each part and the before and after pics. It’s super helpful and inspiring to us other home groomers as we are learning.

 

[Starvt]

Update on grooming! And aren't I happy that I have been doing this all along, as I would have to now anyways with all the groomers closed! At 8months old his coat is starting to change I think. Not that it is getting matted, but the longer parts are wavy and floofy while the areas I have clipped shorter are dense and curled. He was looking a bit patchy 😆.
Here is a few days before:

Very shaggy! I forgot to take a picture after bath/dry/brush, he was a shapeless poof lol.
Here is after:

(Not a great shot with the cupboard squashing his tail, I was just happy to get a stand-stay while crouching to take the picture)

What I used:
30 blade on paws and nose/ lips. 10 blade against the grain for the rest of the face. I am growing out his moustache again. 10 blade also for base of tail and sanitary.
I use the 40 blade under the clip-on combs. #1 (1/2") for back half of body (against the grain) and upper thighs (with the grain), down to approx knee on outer and front sides, down to nearly hock on inner and back of legs. Blended by 'skimming'.
Comb A (3/4") for the neck, from the back of the head to where a loose collar sits, and to a point on the chest. Also used on the armpits, bottom of chest, backs of upper front legs.
Comb E (1") for the jacket, with the grain.
I had used the E to trim his topknot a few weeks ago, today I tidied a little bit with scissors. And a bit of scissoring to beaten up the edge of the jacket.
Any tips on how to get a straight, crisp edge on the jacket and placement of it are welcome!!

 

[Porkchop]

Lookin good, Raffi! It definitely is one small relief when you’ve been grooming at home all along and have the tools and a little confidence in it during these times.
It’s so funny how they look after a bath and blow dry when the hair starts to get long!
I have read that using a 40 blade under steel guards risks breaking teeth off the blade?
As always, thanks for sharing pics and specific details!

 

[RedonRed]

What a great cut! Raffi looks so handsome


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Starvt]

I have read that using a 40 blade under steel guards risks breaking teeth off the blade?
As always, thanks for sharing pics and specific details!

Oops, fat finger mistake! I use a 30 under the combs, which is the recommended size although 15 or 10 are ok too.

 

[Porkchop]

Thank you for clearing that up! I am planning on buying a second blade but can’t decide if I want another 10 so I have a backup blade or get a 30 to more thoroughly groom the feet and between the toe pads. I don’t mind the tops of her feet done with a 10, but between the toes is a different story. The wahl steel combs are heaven sent since you don’t have to worry about blades burning the skin so easily.
I need to groom Ms Lacey. She’s suddenly going through extreme coat change and is going to be “pruned” much shorter in the near future.

 

[Starvt]

I want to get a 15 blade. I love the 30 for the feet- because it's easier to get in all the little spaces and it lasts longer too- but it's too short for the face for me.
When I use the 10 blade I feel like a need to trim again in 2 or 3 weeks.