buying tools.. to begin..

[psykoreo]

hi,

wondering what tools i need or is recommended for a start up kit?

i know blades 40, 30, 15, 10, 5 and 4 is needed... any other add ons?

[pooh13]

blades
#7f #7sk,#5f #5sk, #4f 4sk, (optional #3f and #3sk).#8 1/2,#9 #10,#15,#30,#40
its best to have at least 2 of each you should always have backup when you send out for sharpening or when a blade gets dull or hot.
snap on combs should also be purchased, I recommend at least the plastic set but prefer both plastic and steel (they work best on thicker coats).Although many groomers do not use skip toothed blades as they have been told how dangerous they are, they are no more dangerous than any other blade all must be used with caution and care.Those of us that do use them swear by them.

[Helly]

Oh, you need a lot more than just clippers and blades for a start up kit.

Brushes, combs, dematting tools, nail clippers, straight scissors, curved scissors, thinning or blending scissors, styptic powder or gel, hemostats.

Those are the bare minimum, if you're going to be starting somewhere that already has things like tables, crates, dryers, a tub, towels and consumable products. If not provided, you need ear cleaner, cotton balls, cotton swabs, a set of muzzles or some roll gauze to make muzzles as you need them. A dremel is optional, but a good idea.

[pooh13]

sorry I ran out of time to post the rest I had to go to work :P

[psykoreo]

wow

wow lol

and ouch in the wallet

[pooh13]

wow lol

and ouch in the wallet

yes grooming equipment can be an ouch to the wallet,many people do not understand the cost of our equipment and how much it does really take to do the job right,its not quite as simple as a set of clippers a brush and a pair of scissors
but if you search around you can find many good deals to lessen the wallet crunch. some companies such as oster do sell groomer starter kits this may be something worth looking into .

[nuk]

If you have an idea of what you'll be using most you can narrow it down to start. Here is a list of tools I personally use the most. If you are going to work in a salon with other groomrs ask what most of their clients get.

8" straight shears
46 tooth thinning shears
clipper and the oil that came with it, I use an andis lightspeed right now, love the light!
2 or 3 #10 blades
#40 blade
#5, #7 x2, #4 blades
#1, #0, laube snap on combs (in L.A. I would get a #A comb too)
medium curved slicker
greyhound comb
rake
dematting tool (the small one with short blades)
medium nail clippers
old toothbrush to brush off my blades
can of clippercide to disinfect
quickstop
hemostats and/or ear powder, however ear plucking works best for you

Those are the tools I could not do my job without, I have a ton more but use those everyday. Eventually you can build on it once you know what you use the most. Curved shears are nice, but you can get then later and learn how to do everything with straights first. If you lived anywhere but L.A. I would have left off the thinning shears, but that finish on shih tzu heads is the look out there!

Good luck!

[k2p1e]

A grooming kit just starting out is expensive! And do not forget the stuff you need to maintain your tools, blade cleaner, and oil!

While I was in grooming school I slowly built up my kit and equipment, I couldn't afford the best but I bought everything I could for the best price...now I have the best and more
I seriously cannot picture grooming fulltime without all my nice tools, shears and products!

[psykoreo]

tails between legs***

my tail is already between my legs.. my legs wont listen and run!!

gah!

so much wish i didnt miss the last dog event in burbank

how about basics? ^^

i know clippers and what blades...

not sure about the combs.. and scissors..

once again my tail is between my legs

im scared now o_O

[happytailspetspa]

starter kit list

If I were you I would look at some of the school websites on here. They usually have a list of what you need in your starter kit. They're not all the same, but it will give you a good place to start.

[pooh13]

my tail is already between my legs.. my legs wont listen and run!!

gah!

so much wish i didnt miss the last dog event in burbank

how about basics? ^^

i know clippers and what blades...

not sure about the combs.. and scissors..

once again my tail is between my legs

im scared now o_O

Get what you need but what you can afford to start with gator scissor line has some lower cost shears good for starters that do hold up through years of use,monks are also reasonably priced.try to avoid bulky heavy shears as they do tend to fatigue your hands much faster than lighter shears.

list of shear sized I cannot do without ,these are the shears I use every day
5 1/2 in curves - for feet and tight areas-
10 in straight
10 in curves
thinning shears 44-46 toothed( I use both) but one or the other will do to start

list of shears I own
5 1/2 curves
6 in straight
6 in curves
7 in straight
8 in straight
x3 10 in straight ( for light ,med,heavy duty coats)
x2 10 curves( light- med coats, heavy duty coat)
44 toothed thinner
46 in thinner


combs& brushes
greyhound style
course coat (for longer thicker hair)

slicker brush large and small( soft for fluffing feet)
pin brush
mat splitter

[k2p1e]

I will be honest this like any other skill trade is not cheap to begin.

What I started with:

clippers
blades (2 of eveything); 4f, 5f, 7f, 10f, 40f
combs 1/2" and 3/4" and 1"
clipper blade wash
oil

shears;
thinning sheats
8.5" strights
8.5" curves

slicker brush
greyhound comb
dematting tool
nail clipper
nail file

table
noose

hv
stand dryer

shampoo-medicated, oatmeal, degreaser, regular everyday, conditioner, demat spray, cologne
ear powder, ear cleaner, syptic powder
bottles for mixing shampoo in

muzzles in various sizes (you may want every size)

This is pretty much what I started out with BUT now there is no way i would work without my stool, ivac, K9III, lips system, bathing beauty, my huge collection of shears, 4+ of each blades, my wahl metal combs, various sprays for scissoring, dematting etc...

What I learned the hard way is with cheaper equipment and the bare basics I had to work long, long hours and it was frustrating....but I finally bit the bullet and bought the best quality and all the bells and whistles and for me it made such a difference

[Helly]

my tail is already between my legs.. my legs wont listen and run!!

gah! im scared now o_O

Oh honey, this ain't scarey. Just wait.

Bwahahahahahahahaha.