Course 08 · Blades, Guards and Tool Care · Lesson 11 of 12

How do you check tools for damage before use?

Published 29 October 2026 · Updated 29 October 2026 · About 5 minutes · General information only. This lesson does not diagnose or treat any condition.

Check every tool for damage, cleanliness and fit before use, and retire any tool that fails the check.

Check tools for damage before use by looking at, feeling and testing each tool in good light, with the tool switched off and safe, before it touches the dog. A damaged blade, a cracked guard, a bent comb tooth, a loose scissor screw or a frayed cable can all cause a cut, a pull, a burn or an electric fault, and damage is often invisible until you look for it deliberately. A short, systematic check before every session, using the same order each time, catches damage early, when it is cheap and safe to deal with, rather than mid session, when it can harm the dog and ruin a finish.

What should you check on blades and guards?

Check blade teeth for bends, chips, rust, missing teeth and packed hair, check that the blade fits firmly with no wobble, and check that the moving blade moves freely without grinding. Check the guard for cracks, bent or missing teeth, a loose frame and a secure fit, by fitting it and tugging it gently. Check that the guard matches the blade system, and that the blade number and type are the ones you intended to use. Run the clipper briefly away from the dog and listen for rattling, grinding or a loose blade, then switch off and recheck if anything sounds wrong. A blade or guard that fails any of these checks must not be used. Clean it, refit it, or replace it, and if the clipper latch is worn, seek servicing advice before the next session.

What should you check on scissors, combs and brushes?

Check scissors for a smooth action, correct tension, a clean edge and no nicks, bends, rust or loose screw, and check that the finger rings and finger rest are intact. Check combs for bent, rough or missing teeth, by running a fingertip carefully along the flat side and by looking along the teeth in good light. A rough tooth snags coat and scratches skin, and a bent tooth can pull hair. Check brushes for bent, broken or missing pins, a loose pad, a cracked handle and packed hair at the base, because a brush with damaged pins scratches skin and a brush with a loose pad can catch coat. Clean brushes and combs before use, and replace any tool with damage that could harm skin or coat, rather than trying to bend it back into shape, which often weakens it further.

What should you check on electrical tools and dryers?

Check cables for fraying, cuts, kinks, exposed wires and damage near the plug and the tool body, check plugs for cracks and loose pins, and check that switches move cleanly and stay in position. Check dryer filters for dust and hair, because a blocked filter overheats the dryer and reduces airflow, and check that temperature and speed controls work as expected. Check that the clipper body is intact, with no cracks, loose screws or burnt smell, and that the battery, if fitted, charges and holds power for a session. Do not use an electrical tool with a damaged cable, plug or body, do not tape a damaged cable as a repair, and do not use a tool that smells hot, sparks, or trips a safety switch. Seek servicing or replacement advice, and keep the tool unplugged and out of use until it is checked.

What should you check on the workspace and safety items?

Check the grooming surface for slipperiness, stability and cleanliness, check that the non slip mat is clean and in place, and check that the area is well lit, ventilated and free from clutter, cables and other pets. Check that clean gauze and styptic powder are in date and in reach, that towels are clean and dry, and that a helper, if needed, is available and knows the plan. Check the dog before you check the tools in use: look for sore skin, wounds, lumps, parasites and distress, because a tool check does not make a sore or frightened dog ready for grooming. A workspace check and a dog check, together with a tool check, make a session safe before it starts.

Use this pre session checklist in the same order each time:

Blades and guards: teeth, fit, cleanliness, oil, test run and sound.
Scissors, combs and brushes: action, tension, teeth, pins and cleanliness.
Electrical tools: cable, plug, body, filter, controls and battery.
Workspace: surface, light, ventilation, clutter and cables.
Safety items: gauze, styptic powder, towels and helper plan.
Dog: skin, coat, comfort and calm, with a decision to proceed or postpone.

Stop and get help: what if a tool fails the check?

If a tool fails the check, stop and deal with it before the session. Clean and refit a tool that is dirty or loose, replace a guard, comb or brush that is cracked or bent, and retire a blade or scissor that is damaged, dull or rusty for professional assessment. Do not use a damaged tool in the hope that it will be safe enough, and do not borrow a tool from another system to fill the gap. If an electrical tool is damaged, unplug it, label it as faulty, and seek servicing advice. A failed check is a successful check, because it prevented harm, and a session postponed for a tool problem is a session that can be done safely next time, with the right tool in good condition.