Grooming your dog is a rewarding experience, and having the right tools is essential for achieving a neat, professional finish. Dog grooming scissors are precision tools designed and made for a specific job to cut and style animal hair to create different looks, in just the same way as professional hairdresser’s scissors.
Whether you want to create neat, sharp lines or soft, natural looking textures, there are many styles of scissors to achieve different results and finishes. Our Masterclip range of professional dog grooming scissors are suitable for the. precise trimming of show dogs or equally to keep pet dogs looking smart and help to keep their coat in an easy maintenance trim.
In this guide, we'll explore the different types of scissors, what they're used for, and how to take the best care of them to ensure they stay in top condition to deliver excellent results and last for many years.
Types of Dog Grooming Scissors
Each type of dog grooming scissor has a specific purpose. Using the right one can make a big difference in achieving the desired look for your dog. At Masterclip, we offer an Essentials range of dog grooming scissors in both left and right handed grip, and our premium Topaz and Onyx range of scissors for more experienced users.
Finishing Scissors
Looking to achieve that sharp, crisp show finish? These straight-edge convex scissors are designed to give a clean, precise cut. Finishing or straight cut scissors are great general use scissors, perfect for detailing and finishing touches, leaving the coat with a polished look. Ideal for show grooming or those aiming for a pristine finish.
Thinning Scissors
Thinning scissors are your best friend when it comes to blending and feathering. These convex, serrated-edge scissors remove only a portion of the hair, making them perfect for evening out thick coats or achieving a soft, natural look. Ideal for areas like the chest or any densely packed fur, they help balance the coat without an obvious cut line.
Thinning scissors are particularly useful for blending different coat lengths, creating a smoother transition between clipped and unclipped areas, and managing difficult areas such as around the ears, face, or legs.
Curved Scissors
These scissors are perfect for creating a soft, rounded edge on your dog’s coat. Ideal for shaping areas like the face and giving that adorable “teddy bear” look, curved scissors are a favourite for softening contours. The smooth, rounded blades ensure a safe and precise cut, even on tricky areas.
These scissors are especially useful for breeds with styled coats, like Poodles and Bichon Frises, where maintaining a rounded or sculpted look is essential. Curved scissors provide better control when working on tricky angles, ensuring a smooth and even cut while reducing the risk of accidentally cutting into the fur too deeply.
Bull Nose Scissors
For more delicate work around sensitive areas, like your dog’s face or between their paws, bull nose scissors are your go-to tool. These scissors feature rounded safety tips, ensuring that you can trim even in tight spaces without worrying about accidental nicks or injuries.
Ideal for working on nervous or fidgety dogs. These scissors are particularly useful for precise, delicate grooming tasks and for safely trimming hair in tight or awkward areas. Bull nose scissors offer peace of mind when grooming sensitive spots, ensuring both the groomer and the dog are protected from potential harm.
Fluffer Scissors (Hybrid)
Fluffer scissors are a versatile hybrid between thinning and chunker scissors, designed for blending and removing bulk with more precision than chunkers but less subtly than thinners. These scissors are ideal for areas where you need to remove more hair quickly without leaving harsh lines, making them perfect for dogs with dense coats. The fluffer scissors provide a smooth and natural finish.
Fluffer scissors are ideal for breeds such as Samoyeds, Shih Tzus, and Maltese, where maintaining a plush, airy appearance is essential. By gently thinning and lifting the hair, fluffer scissors help achieve a groomed yet natural look, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the dog's coat while preventing a weighed-down appearance. Our fluffer scissors are reversible so can be used either left or right handed for ease.
How to Take Care of Your Grooming Scissors
Dog grooming scissors are an investment, and neglecting their care can lead to dull blades, rust, or costly damage. Regular maintenance ensures your scissors perform optimally, last longer and, if you’re a professional groomer, help you to provide high-quality grooming services.
Proper care also minimises the risk of causing discomfort or injury to your dog, ensuring a safer and more comfortable grooming experience for them. Here's how to keep your scissors in the best condition:
- Clean after every use : Wipe your scissors with a clean, soft cloth after every grooming session to remove hair, dirt, and product residue. This helps prevent build-up that can dull the blades and reduce performance. You can clean your scissors using a small amount of rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. Use a specialist disinfectant solution product designed for scissors to kill bacteria and germs. This is particularly important in a professional setting where multiple dogs are groomed daily. Avoid using household cleaning and disinfecting products as they may be too harsh and cause damage your scissors in the long run.
- Dry Thoroughly: After cleaning and disinfecting, ensure your scissors are completely dry. Moisture can cause rust and corrosion, which can damage the blades and impact their sharpness.
- Lubricate the Pivot: Apply a drop of clipper oil or specialist scissor oil to the pivot area where the blades meet. This reduces friction, keeps the scissors operating smoothly, and prevents wear and tear on the blades.
- Avoid cutting non-hair materials : Cutting anything other than your dog's fur, such as paper or textiles, can damage the blades and dull the sharp edge.
- Use on clean, dry fur only: Always groom a clean dog to avoid dirt or grit damaging the cutting surface of your scissors. Greasy coats can also leave a film on the blades, reducing their sharpness.
- Adjust tension regularly : Masterclip scissors come with an adjustable tension screw. Make sure it’s set correctly to provide the smoothest cut without strain on the blades.
- Sharpen when needed : Over time, your scissors may need re-sharpening. It's best to have this done by a professional sharpening service, such as Shear Ease Limited, to ensure they retain their precision edge.
- Store properly : Always store your scissors in a protective case or pouch to avoid accidental damage. Keeping them in a dry, safe place away from humidity or direct sunlight will help prevent rust or corrosion. Never leave them lying out where they could be knocked over or damaged.
- Handle with Care: Dropping your scissors can misalign the blades and damage the tension system. Handle your scissors with care and use a scissor holder or place them safely out of reach of your dog during grooming sessions to minimise the risk of accidental drops.
Summary
Select the right scissors for each grooming task to achieve the perfect finish.
Clean, oil, and store properly to maintain the sharpness and longevity of your scissors.
Use on clean fur to avoid damage and ensure the best results.
At Masterclip, we offer a wide range of professional grooming scissors designed to make your grooming sessions smooth and efficient, tested by professional dog groomers in the salon.
Explore our scissors collection today and save money when buying scissors sets. If you need any further advice, feel free to contact us. We're happy to help!
