How long do your clippers last?

1520 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Footprints&pawmarks, 6 mo ago

Feyadog

Discussion Starter · 6 mo ago

Gah! My Andis Ultraedge AGC2 clippers quietly died mid-groom yesterday. My volt meter showed power in the cord, but there was a fairly strong burnt electrical smell and no obvious hair or debris inside or out so I think they are toast. This one lasted just short of 4 years (same as the last pair, same kind) and I managed to never drop them, so I don’t think trauma was part of it. I like them a lot, just not the short lifespan. How long do your clippers typically last you? I regularly groom only 4 dogs (3 are smaller) and I oil the blades religiously. Is there anything else I can do to extend the life of my clippers or is this normal?
On another note, we had our first real snowfall this afternoon and Stella could not get enough of it! Its time to try out that whisk idea I learned off of this forum to manage the snowballs

Sky Plant Snow Tree Branch

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Streetcar

· #2 · 6 mo ago

While definitely not a resource for consumer blade sharpening or other services, Northern Tails does have some good maintenance articles posted on the site Veteran Owned | Sharpeners for Pet Groomers Only .

There could still be a help document on cords there. Andis might repair it for you or refer you to someone who could, and it's worth reaching out to them.

With just one Poodle and a Toy at that, my Wahl Bravura experience doesn't really apply to your situation, just I have read of people getting clippers repaired.

ETA adorable pic of happy Stella 😍.

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twyla

· #3 · 6 mo ago

I have ha my Andis AGC2 cliipers for almst 8 years, still going strong

Haitch

· #4 · 6 mo ago

In between grooms , I only use scissors , my groomer just uses scissors at the moment as well .
I am too nervous to try clippers , so well done to all you home groomers that use them . I met a different breed some time ago that had been home clipped , poor dog had several cuts on it . The owner seemed quite blasé about it and said they were learning ……

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Starvt

· #5 · 6 mo ago

Oh, that is a sad day!
I work at a vet clinic, and we use the Oster A5s. They are abused hardcore lol, used on the most disgusting things multi0le times a day, not properly cleaned nearly as much as they should be, and oiled even less. They get dropped, kicked, tripped over. Even with all that, other than occasionally dropping them on a particularly bad spot, they last years for us- 3-5 at least and I think longer.
However, I didn't choose those for my own personal use. Partly because they are expensive, lol, but also because they are on the heavier side and they do vibrate enough to make you hand feel numb after shaving down a medium dog.
I have a Wahl KM2 but I've only had it two years and with one dog.
One thing I am curious about in regards to longevity. The Osters require regular maintenance of cleaning out the interior gears, removing old grease, and applying fresh. My KM2 is fully closed in with no maintenance required. Certainly I don't mind not having to do maintenance, but on the other hand there are lots of repairs and part replacement I can do on the Oster to keep it running.
Oh, and if you don't already, do regular blade cleaning with blade wash as well as oiling. That keeps the blades moving freely which in turn puts less stress on the motor.

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Mufar42

· #6 · 6 mo ago

Feyadog said:
Gah! My Andis Ultraedge AGC2 clippers quietly died mid-groom yesterday. My volt meter showed power in the cord, but there was a fairly strong burnt electrical smell and no obvious hair or debris inside or out so I think they are toast. This one lasted just short of 4 years (same as the last pair, same kind) and I managed to never drop them, so I don’t think trauma was part of it. I like them a lot, just not the short lifespan. How long do your clippers typically last you? I regularly groom only 4 dogs (3 are smaller) and I oil the blades religiously. Is there anything else I can do to extend the life of my clippers or is this normal?
On another note, we had our first real snowfall this afternoon and Stella could not get enough of it! Its time to try out that whisk idea I learned off of this forum to manage the snowballs View attachment 500547

My Oster A5 are almost 40 years old and still going strong.

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Johanna

· #7 · 6 mo ago

I expect clippers to last at least 20 years. I think the oldest ones I have are much older than that.

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JasMom

· #8 · 6 mo ago

I have the same model clipper - I hope they last longer than 4 years for what they cost! 😕 This is the first quality clipper I’ve had. With our childhood Toys we had whatever was inexpensive on the store shelf so those MIGHT last a year. Surely the AGC2 is better built than that.

MaizieFrosty

· #9 · 6 mo ago

My Wahl Bravura, which I've used to fully body clip two spoos has lasted at least 6 years so far.

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Streetcar

· #10 · 6 mo ago

Just adding, Andis clippers have a known power cord thing and it can be replaced inexpensively if that's the issue.

Repair Centers | Andis

To purchase service parts or inquire about local out of repair opportunities; checkout some of our Authorized Repair Centers.

andis.com

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PeggyTheParti

· #11 · 6 mo ago

I would be looking into repair. My corded Andis clippers are about 12 years old.

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TeamHellhound

· #12 · 6 mo ago

My main clipper is an Oster A5 that is so old there isn't even a zip code in the company's address. I fished them out of a trash pile probably a decade ago, and have used them for both my son's hair and Simon. They still run quieter and cooler than the brand new two speed Oster A5 I bought when I got Simon.

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Asta's Mom

· #13 · 6 mo ago

Have Oster A5 Turbo - have had over 20 years. Refurbished one time.

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Feyadog

Discussion Starter · #14 · 6 mo ago

Thanks everyone! I’ll look into what it would cost to send them in somewhere to be repaired. I did forget to mention that I also use Andis blade wash/lubricant after every groom, so at least I feel I was doing that part correctly. I agree- for what these cost they should definitely last a lot longer then they have. Fingers crossed that these get fixed quickly- the poor dog has only 2 of her feet shaved and a streak of her tail…. she’ll soon have to go out in public with a paper bag over her head

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Footprints&pawmarks

· #15 · 6 mo ago (Edited)

I just fried my fairly new inexpensive small cordless clippers -- the ones that have lots of unusual brand names, but all look the same. I was recharging them, and plugged them into what I thought was the correct cord, and I heard "ZAP!" and they turned themselves on. I couldn't get them to turn off again. I think I killed the on-off switch.

Fortunately, I found a Black Friday sale where the same model was for sale for under $20.

Oh, and my big, corded Oster A5 that does most of the heavy lifting was not new when I bought it well over 30 years ago. Refurbished once by Oster, they said it was in great shape, and it's still working just fine. I hope it lasts forever!

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ndspencer1104

· #16 · 6 mo ago

Blue Electric blue Font Metal Fashion accessory

Brown Blue Bag Material property Eyewear

These Andis AG2 (2-speed) is 30+ years old.
I clip at least one std poodle and sometimes could be 2 Std Poodles. All has been working well the entire 30 years. I do drop them sometimes. Wahl Guard combs have been saving countless hours and thus thorough brushing is key. I rarely clip dirty if ever.
These clippers are not quiet and I use a cordless Wahl Motion for FFT and in-between clips - not body clips.

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Charmed

· #17 · 6 mo ago

My Andis AGC lasted over twenty years with almost daily use, but only my own dogs. I had two Wahl Km10; they were worthless and both died within 6 weeks...and were replaced by Wahl, but the replacements also chugged litke the little engine that couldn't. I have also used Wahl Bravuras; not a big fan except they are great for training pups and for the quick FFT trim. They do not last long either. I usually buy a replacement Andis every five years or so, just to make sure I have a spare. I have never been disappointed with any of my Andies models. When I worked with vets, they always used Oster; those things were workhorses and could be dropped and would keep right on cutting. For personal use I find them, too hot and heavy. I have heard good things about Heiniger; maybe when I win the lotterym ha-ha!

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Footprints&pawmarks

· #18 · 6 mo ago

Slightly off topic, but Charmed reminded me. I used to see a leather "glove"/"onesie" you could put on your Oster A5 to keep your hand more comfortable when the clippers got hot. I've looked, but haven't been able to find any. I'm sure the fact that I don't know the item's proper name doesn't help. Help, anyone?

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