Grooming Scissor Guide
How to Hold, Correctly Use & Care for The Coat scissors
Thank you for your purchase…
Every scissor has been tested by myself individually prior to shipping to ensure balance and for a clean and sharp cut.
To help you get the best results and longest life from your grooming scissors, please take a moment to read through this important information.
1. How to Correctly Hold Your Grooming Scissors
Proper hand positioning ensures:
• Smooth cutting action
• Reduced wear and tear
• Greater comfort
• Fewer accidents and less strain
Correct Thumb & Finger Placement:
• Only the tip of your thumb should rest in the thumb hole.
• Your other fingers should support the handle without moving.
• Only the thumb should move while cutting.
Why This Matters:
• Inserting too much of your thumb causes a natural “gripping” motion.
• This pushes the blades together too tightly, leading to:
• Catching or locking
• Grinding and damage
• Dents in the blades
Practice Tip:
New to grooming or training? Practice holding your scissors properly even outside the salon to build muscle memory.
Helpful Aides Available:
We offer finger inserts with every purchase of shears to help ensure a correct, comfortable grip for all hand sizes.
2. How to Use Your Scissors
Go gently, especially at first:
• Think of your scissors like a fountain pen or a new horse – they need to “settle in.”
• Use light, smooth motions. Let the blades do the work.
• Avoid applying pressure or dragging the blades together.
Using Thinners, Chunkers or Curved Shears?
• These are more sensitive to incorrect pressure.
• Don’t push down or across with your thumb – this can cause the blades to jam or lock.
3. What to Do if Your Scissors Catch or Lock
Common with scissors that have teeth (e.g., chunkers, thinners, fluffers)
Why It Happens:
• Thumb inserted too far, causing pressure between blades
• Tension screw too loose or too tight
• Cutting dirty, thick, or matted hair
• Dropping the scissors
Common with scissors that have teeth (e.g., chunkers, thinners, fluffers)
If They Lock:
STOP using them immediately.
Do not repeatedly force them open and closed – this can cause deeper damage.
Try the Smoothing Method:
• Gently find the point where the blades catch.
• Apply gentle pressure over that area and slowly open/close the blades several times.
• This can temporarily smooth out the burr.
Common with scissors that have teeth (e.g., chunkers, thinners, fluffers)
Note: This is a temporary fix. We highly recommend sending your scissors to a professional sharpener for proper servicing if you have damaged them.
4. Caring for Your Scissors
To prolong sharpness and lifespan:
• Use your scissors only for dog grooming.
• Avoid cutting:
• Dirty, gritty, or tangled hair
• Large chunks of coat at once
• Never drop your scissors – this can ruin alignment and sharpness.
• Clean, oil and dry them after every use.
Common with scissors that have teeth (e.g., chunkers, thinners, fluffers)
Regular Maintenance:
• Get them professionally sharpened every 3–6 months.
• Check tension regularly:
• To tighten: turn the tension screw slightly clockwise
• To loosen: turn anti-clockwise
• Test as you go to find the right feel
Common with scissors that have teeth (e.g., chunkers, thinners, fluffers)
Summary
Top Tips for Happy Scissoring
• Tip of thumb only in the thumb hole
• Only thumb moves, fingers stabilize
• Let the blades glide, don’t force them
• Stop if they lock, use the smoothing method gently
• Sharpen every 3–6 months
• Keep clean, dry, and safe
• Oil regularly with scissor oil- NEVER clipper oil. We sell scissor oil if needed
Common with scissors that have teeth (e.g., chunkers, thinners, fluffers)