Why and When You Should Replace Hair Clipper Blades

As previously discussed, professional barbers, hairdressers, and hair stylists in Singapore are essentially operating in a service industry. What this means is that customers have an expectation of quality when they come to you, not just in the end-results of their haircut but also the service you provide them. Part of this expectation is that your tools and supplies are well maintained and in good condition, such that hair services can be performed to the best standards possible. In this regard, your clippers are of utmost importance as quintessential tools of the trade.

The Importance of Hair Clipper Blade Maintenance 

You should never skimp on hair clipper maintenance, and while the battery life of cordless clippers and a professional, clean exterior are important, there is nothing quite as crucial to clipper maintenance as taking good care of your hair clipper blades. 

On top of proper oiling and cleaning, it is also essential that you regularly replace your hair clipper blades, as this is principal not only to keep your clippers in good working order, but also for barber shop safety and hygiene. Dull or old blades may cause friction and tug at clients’ hair, which can be uncomfortable or even painful. Moreover, dull blades will also degrade the standard of work you provide by producing uneven or unsatisfactory results. In other words, disregard for your tools’ maintenance can easily lead to dissatisfied customers. 

When Should You Replace Your Hair Clipper Blades?

In general, it is recommended that you replace your hair clipper blades every three to six months. However, the rate of wear and tear on your clipper blades will depend heavily on factors such as the regularity with which they are used, what kind and thickness of hair they are cutting, and other variable factors. As such, if you feel that your clipper blades are not performing to their optimal level or have become visibly worn out after only a month’s worth of use, do consider replacing them earlier than usual.

Things to look out for when evaluating if you need to replace the blades of your hair clipper include:

Visible Bent or Broken Teeth 

Bent or broken hair clipper blades can easily cause hair clippings to build up between the blades, resulting in sticky or jerky performance of your clipper. Moreover, bent or broken teeth on the blades can also lead to uneven haircuts, making it difficult to produce satisfactory results.

Rusty Hair Clipper Blades  

When rust builds up on the surface of your barber blades due to insufficient or improper cleaning and maintenance, it results in not just additional friction when cutting hair, but also the facilitation of bacteria spreading from one customer’s scalp onto another's. Rusted blades must thus be replaced as quickly as possible once you’ve noticed them. 

Symptoms of Dull Barber Blades

The primary indicator that you need new clipper blades is when you start feeling increased resistance while cutting hair due to dulled blades. This could be caused by regular use over time as well as improper oiling and cleaning. When this happens, the blades of your clipper will start tugging at hair instead of easily cutting it, so it’s best to replace them as soon as possible lest you give your customers discomfort and imperfect haircuts. 

How to Replace Hair Clipper Blades and Best Practices When Doing So

Replacing hair clipper blades is relatively straightforward, but it does require you to have the right tools in your barber shop or hairdresser salon. Firstly, you will need to press your thumb against the teeth of your clipper blades and push away from the clipper — the blade assembly should come away as a separated complete unit. Once done, you should be able to spot and access the blades easily, which you can then take out as necessary before replacing them with new ones. Check out our guide on clipper blade alignment if needed, and remember to oil the new blades lightly before fitting them in place and reassembling your clippers. 

Other best practices when replacing your hair clipper blades include:

• Always replacing them in sets such that both the top and bottom blades are the same age for easier tracking and maintenance.
• Keeping at least one spare set of hair clipper blades in your salon or barber shop to minimise downtime during tool malfunction.
• Handle your hair clipper blades with care when replacing them.
• Ensure you buy hair clipper blades of a good quality that are suitable for professional use. Always buy authentic Wahl clipper blades for Wahl clippers, as the blades and motors have been carefully calibrated to suit each other perfectly.

Shop Hair Clipper Blades and More at Wahl

At Wahl Singapore, we leverage over 100 years of grooming evolution to provide industry professionals with the best barber shop tools and hairdresser supplies. Our replacement blade sets and foils are designed to help you keep your hair clippers and other tools in optimal condition, such that you can deliver the smoothest and cleanest cuts. 

Download our Tool Care PDF Guide for more information, and shop our professional clippers, hair trimmers, and other essential barber shop accessories for everything you need to give your customers your best.