A5 Oster Clipper Problems - Need Advice on shaving
I just purchased an Oster A5 shaver and need advice on what attachment and blade to use. It doesn't even cut his hair with the 1/2 inch attachment. If he had very silky, thin, straight hair, or was human it'd work, but not as he is now. He is about 3 inches long now and in need of another shave. I am tired of paying $60 to a groomer to shave him and his hair grows in super fast and super thick. He is like a Chia Pet. We live on 20 acres of uncut burly meadows and forest so he gets burs in his fur. He looks as handsome shaved as he does long and dries quicker after a bath when short. And he pants way less and is more energetic with short hair. Any advice? I'm lost and want to return this thing to the store..! After $200 spent, I was really hoping it'd work like a sheep shaver. What in the world do people use???!!! Thanks in advance, Jane |
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| If you use the comb attachment you need a real find blade, at least a 20.
Even then it's difficult to get the hang of it. I juse a #5 (or a , or 10 depending how matted  they are) blade for the early summer/late spring cut and then can go down to a #3 for a refresh in July. That's about as long as you can leave the hear without a comb attachement.
I keep threatening to use the Wahl clipper with combs I use on my husband to clip the dogs as the combs work so well........could be I'm going against the grain with his clipper........hmmm? |
| The good A5 clipper ought to cut like a hot knife through butter. Let's talk about possible reasons that it's not cutting.
1st off, will it cut without any combs on the blade? What number blade are you using? Is the blade new (sharp), and is it solidly snapped into place? With the blade open, you turn on the clippers and forcefully snap it into place while the clippers are running. Have you removed the protective covering from the blade? Are you holding it correctly? With the flat portion of the blade towards the dog, the blade sort of skims along the skin. Are the clippers making a whirring sound, or is it rattling? Let's start with those!  |
| Ron's right, it should clip like a hot knife thru butter. I have had trouble with a black blade, can't remember what type. I just won't work for me. So I stick with the regular blades, nothing fancy.
A new blade might need to be cleaned from some mystery packing goop. Did you get blade wash? If not, rubbing alcohol will work in a pinch. Then lube the blade. If you have Cool Lube, just squirt the teeth. Ron is right about putting the blade on with the motor running. For some reason it engages better. With the motor running and the blade in blace, does the "tooth section" vibrate back and forth? If the blade isn't properly seated with will rattle and knock. Also if there's a small pebble in the teeth it will suddenly stop cutting and the clipper whirls. Blade is working? Good. Let's go to the dog. Doesn't sound like your dog is matted, that will stop a blade. Where to begin is up to you. Once in awhile I start right on top of the head and zip down the spine. Remember, clip with the hair direction. If I have a mat problem I have to find an opening and slip under the mat. Then it really does come off like sheep shearing.
Once you get the hang of the blade, experiment with the combs. I get too frustrated with my dogs, especially Jack's which is quite curly when short, so don't bother with a comb. |
| I too have just started to shave my pup. I ordered the oster A5 turbo with a number 7 blade on the advice of her groomer. I too do not know much about this so its very informative. I feel sorry for Duchess since she will be able to show off my technique or lack of it ! I clipped her with a friends andis clippers and did not like them . I randomly picked the oster A5 turbo 2 speed for an investment on not going to the groomers. |
| Thanks for all the detailed advice. The buzzer is new out of the box, so I assume sharp. I'm going to work more with practicing and clean it too. I've cut human hair with buzzers that look similar so I know how to use one. I was going against the grain of his hair though as that's what I used to do on a human neck for trims. I have to figure out though when you say, "comb" you mean the plastic thing that can allow it to stay so many inches long. I think I'm going to totally forgo using that as it requires his hair to be thinned out and he has a few tiny mats, but nothing major. When you say blade, I hope you mean the metal part. The whole thing is working as any buzzer would with no weird noises and it jiggles back & forth. Maybe I need a different blade if that is indeed the metal part. I'm gonna go back to the store and see what I can find. I just wanted to make sure this buzzer can indeed do that job or would it require one of those industrial size 400 dollar buzzers for real sheep. |
You mean like ours????  Being modeled by 4 year old granddaughter Breanna.
That would do the trick, but way overkill (trust me on this one!). |
| Holy Sheep! |
| LOL! That's exactly what I said Ron!! Holy Sheep!
Yes, the metal part you put onto the clipper is called the blade. The black toothed "sled" thing you put over the blade is the comb. I guess you shouldn't go into a grooming shop and ask for a demo  or to test drive your new clipper......but your vet or their vet tech might be willing to show you....especially the vet tech so you don't have to pay and office visit ...maybe. Have them try out your new clipper and blade and see if it will work for them. If not, have them put one of their blades on your clipper to determine if perhaps your blade is defective. |
Ron wrote: Holy Sheep!
Antoinette |
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