Why I Avoid Skip-Tooth Blades

I explain what a skip-tooth blade is, and its potential uses. In general, I advise against their use! Watch this video to find out why, and to understand the difference between skip-tooth and finish blades.
Thanks for watching!
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Disclaimer: This video was not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned. All opinions are my own.

[@joywakenshaw5770]

Really clear and good advice to me as an amateur groomer with curly coated poodles.

[@truthmatters1950]

Thank you GDG for a clear, comprehensive, balanced, factual and practical explanation. As a confident home groomer of my spoodle I was tempted to invest in the skip tooth for when I've fallen behind in the maintenance routine (it happens - no treats for me!) But, based on your advice, I shall stick to my trusty FC blade and put more effort into my grooming reminder system! PS The love you have for our furry friends is evident in the delivery of your post - very apparent grooming is more than a job to you. The world needs more caring people. Keep on posting - your caring is infectious - the good kind!

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Wow, excuse me while I screenshot, print, and frame this comment! 😂 Thank you so much for this compliment and for the encouragement!!! 🐶💙

[@truthmatters1950]

@@GoodDogGrooming Hahaaa! If it motivates you to keep doing what you do and clearly love, then please do! And you're most welcome.

[@judyleaber2356]

Great video and explanation! Glad i watch this before i bought the skip blade, which i won’t now.

[@wayditay9288]

So I was about to pull the trigger on adding a #4 skip-tooth blade for our poodles (the mini has thick curly hair that easily goes to mats). But after watching your awesome video, you convinced me otherwise. Thanks so much for your heartfelt instructs.

[@meganblenet7787]

You are such a good teacher!! Thank you so much for this!

[@GoodDogGrooming]

You’re so welcome. Thanks for watching! 🐾🐶💜

[@meganblenet7787]

I saw something on a 7 blade that said 7SE, is that the same as a skip tooth blade? I’ve asked everyone I know in the field and no one is able to tell me what SE is lol

[@GoodDogGrooming]

@@meganblenet7787 I haven’t heard of it, but I did a Google search and Andis has a line of blades that say “SE, Show Edge.” They do not appear to be skip tooth blades. Looks like it’s simply a line of Andis’s blades that the description says are “designed to create the smoothest finish possible on a dog's coat without leaving tracks from the blade in the hair.”

[@meganblenet7787]

Cool :) thank you 😊

[@andreapiro7098]

Thanks!

[@AREA-51moto]

Was getting ready to buy a skip blade... I wont now, Thank you for the info/video

[@DeborahClare-c9x]

Thank you so much for this video and your warning about skip blades. I am just a simple dog owner who would like to give my Maltese boy an even hair cut using a Wahl KM10 clipper...is that a clipper you would recommend? Left un cut, his hair knots and matts very quickly. Also, after watching your video, I would in no wise ever consider using a skip blade. Can you suggest which finish or full blade would be good for my little dog' s hair cut? I just want his hair to be fairly short and tidy but not right down to the skin...no way.; perhaps an inch or inch and a half all over? Thanks so much, Deborah

[@GoodDogGrooming]

I believe that clipper is fairly popular, although I myself have never used it. You can try a longer blade on it such as a 3 or a 4, or you can try a short blade with a comb attachment on it. Here’s a blade length video that may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmrIo62PodukgqMsi=W44MJqt2W0ZXEUn5 And here’s a fur-length (with pics!) video that also may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH6th6hsn9irq8ksi=qMYuaEAoKK0Oo6B1

[@eunice8116]

Home Groomer here Found this Brill vid while researching blades to buy for my heiniger sapphire style I purchased came with a 10 blade I've used on my yorkies but seemed to leave blade lines , This video is a blessing thank you I was about to buy a 7 skip blade I will now buy a 7F or should I get a 10F blade for yorkshire terrier body hair ? Edit had to sub for more of your relaxing knowledge your giveing ty so much helped a lot ❤️

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Honestly it just depends on how short you want the body hair. 10 is the shortest a groomer will use on any dog (unless there is some medical reason to go shorter such as extreme matting or surgery) Shorter than 10 can cause skin issues. So, 10 is fine if you like it to be as short as possible! 7 is fine too and will leave just a bit more fur for you. Of you decide to start leaving longer fur you can use a 30 blade under comb attachments. Have you see my “at home grooming pointers” video? Here’s a link, in case it helps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-0lJSura1kebM

[@redundantpancake]

Thanks! I was about to buy one of these with my new clipper because the company who are selling it were recommending it for dogs with thicker/matted fur. I will buy the clipper first and try to cut my doggo with the ceramic 10 it comes with first.

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Sounds like a plan. Just be aware that the 10 is a pretty short shave down. It’s not bad to use on a dog, it just happens to be the shortest that groomers are willing to go on a dog voluntarily. The only time we ever go shorter than a 10 is for severe, severe matting, which thankfully doesn’t happen all too often!

[@redundantpancake]

@@GoodDogGroomingRight, the clippers I bought come with snap on comb attachments so will try to leave it a bit longer at first see how that goes! Thanks for the reply :)

[@MS-fn7qq]

Very informative video, I will not be buying a skip tooth blade now. I groom my cocker regularly in a field cut or summer cut style. I have trouble with the legs. I’ve tried comb attachments without success and my scissoring is not even. How can I achieve a finished look? Can I use a 3F on the legs?

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Yes, a 3F would be fine on the legs. Check out my “DIY at home haircut” vid to see tips on leg holds and how to hold the clippers against the leg properly. Often times if a regular comb won’t go through the fur, neither will a comb attachment. Is the fur completely brushed out? Check out my “doodle demat” video for info on brushing the fur and checking for sneaky hidden mats using a greyhound comb! Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!!

[@sydneylawrence5012]

Do you at all think a skip-tooth would help with a dog that just has a super thick coat? I've run into a few dogs that weren't matted, but the coats are just so thick that (for example) my 4 really struggles to get through without me feeling like I'm really forcing it. Would the skip be a good choice for that type of coat?

[@reagandesantis2047]

Is a 4 skip tooth the same length of a 4f?? Or does it take more off? Thanks for your video btw!

[@GoodDogGrooming]

They’re the same length technically. The skip tooth is usually a less-smooth finish, so it kinda is perceived as “longer” or leaving a tiny bit more length. But generally those are the same

[@Bethgoldader]

Have you ever done a Spanish water dog? They are very thick curly haired and wondering in this instance if a skip tooth is appropriate. We use a 10f and it barely cuts the thicker hair.

[@GoodDogGrooming]

My instinct would be to steer you away from that 7 skip despite the thick hair. But, if a 10 truly is struggling then I suppose it could be worth a try? But first I would check a few things: is the 10 sharp enough or possibly need servicing from a sharpener? Are you keeping the blade oiled and making sure it doesn’t overheat? (when grooming a large dog, I end up switching to a fresh blade at least three or four times just because they heat up from use.) Do your clippers need a new blade drive? Just checking, because I’ve never met a dog, no matter how thick the fur, that a 10 struggled to get through. The 10 is so short it normally just zips through no problem.

[@PJM42]

Thank you so much for the video. I understand the dangers of using a skip blade. But what do you recommend when the dog is very matted and the finished cut blade is just getting caught in the mats time and again? Will working more patiently/slowly with the finished cut #7 be the answer? Or should I use the #10? Thanks again.

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Are you a groomer who’s learning, or an owner just working on their own dog? generally a groomer’s go-to when a 7F won’t go through is to use a 10. It’s a shame to have to go so short, but it’s not harmful for the dog. In fact getting the mats off is a relief!

[@LawrenceEdwards-o2k]

What blade would you recommend for a border collie?

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Border Collies more often than not either get no hair cut or a “silhouette” cut to trim up all the feathers and make their outline look more tidy. Any blade short enough to cut into the undercoat is probably too short, although some do “shave down” their double coated breeds. As long as you understand the risk that it may not grow back evenly, it’s owner’s choice. To stay above the undercoat I would use a long-ish comb attachment. Such as the wahl E-Comb (1” length) or possibly a bit shorter if you wanted. A 1/2” comb attachment (such as the wahl 2-comb could be too short but it might also be ok to stay above the undercoat depending on the individual dog. If you want “1 length all over” I might suggest trying the 1” at first and then stepping shorter until you’re happy with the turnout!

[@brianbrianbrianbrianbrianbrian]

Thanks for the info. What would you recommend for a poodle? I'm thinking a 30 with a guard on there to adjust the length??

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Well, that depends on what length you’re going for! If you wanted a shorter haircut then you could use a 4 blade, 5 blade, or even a 7… but for a fluffier look then yes, I would use a 30 blade on your clippers with a comb attachment (a.k.a. a guard) over it. Are you doing a simple, one length all over haircut? If so check out my DIY haircut tips and tricks video! I hope it helps.

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Here’s a link to that vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5-0lJSura1kebM

[@phantasticmrphasma9874]

I bought a wahl competition 1.5mm blade because clipper guards on human clippers are absolutely terrible but i thought the blade would go on my normal clippers. My mistake. Before i buy a set of animal clippers to shave my own head, can you tell me if that would be ok please 😅

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Well, I can tell you that I use my Wahl Bravura (and the Wahl comb attachment set on it) to cut my husband's hair, and keep a separate "Not for dogs" 5-in-1 blade for that purpose. So when I'm grooming I use my "doggie" 5-in-1 blade and when it's time to do his hair I just switch the blade. It works like a dream. I don't know anything else about what's different between "human" clippers and animal ones. I had originally bought a cheap pair of human hair trimmers (for like $40-ish) and they sucked by comparison. Once I started using my Bravura (which costs closer to $200) to cut his hair I was like "this is WAY better. I'll never go back." Hope that's at least a little bit helpful... Best of luck!

[@phantasticmrphasma9874]

@@GoodDogGrooming thank you! The reason i bought it is because i love a 1.5mm shave but the clip on combs are kinda crap and dont catch all the hairs. The blade alone if good but its 0.5mm which is too short. Im shocked that they dont sell different size blades commonly.. Maybe i'll pick up an animal clipper with clip on blade compatibility. Cheers 👍🏻

[@justintime8176]

What blade would you recommend for a short cut on a Cava-Poo?

[@GoodDogGrooming]

I mean, for a simple “summer short” I like to do a #7 blade. But if you’re trying to leave a little fluff you might try the 2-comb (on the wahl comb attachments) which is 3/8” long. Hope that helps!

[@justintime8176]

@@GoodDogGrooming thank you. we usually keep hos body tight and just his face and paws fluffy (like a lion wearing uggs) but most clippers bind when using comb attachments so i was hoping to go with a blade that leaves the right length. 3/8 would be perfect.

[@Roy-po9gh]

Is 4f the same as 4fc?

[@GoodDogGrooming]

I believe it is the same. The C stands for Ceramic if I’m not mistaken! The F definitely still means Finish

[@listen2liv212]

Thank youuu! #OliviaTheGroomer

[@lacynylons6317]

If matted dog, just use a thinning shear, no?

[@GoodDogGrooming]

Hmm, I would say net exactly. Thinners can be used to get some mats out. But it’s more of a spot-solution. If the dog is matted over it’s whole body, it would be too time consuming to use thinners to get it all out and also risk of injury would be high.

[@lacynylons6317]

@@GoodDogGrooming true about few mats. If the dog is matted all over, we shave the dog . It is in the card/form that client signs when they become clients of the shop. Obviously, the owner doesn’t care to brush their dog and can’t maintain a long coat.

[@reagandesantis2047]

Is a 4 skip tooth the same length of a 4f?? Or does it take more off? Thanks for your video btw!

[@reagandesantis2047]

I’m a groomer myself. I’ve only been grooming for 8, going on 9 months and I’m trying to learn as much as I can! I work at Petsmart grooming salon and their academy doesn’t teach much at all! I’ve had to learn a lot on my own :( thanks again!