Kirk's Sharpening and Repair Services

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

SHEARS

Cleaning: Using a soft cloth wipe blades between uses and after disinfecting. Chemicals and debris build up on shears and in-between pivot point. Law requires disinfecting after each use to kill bacteria, germs and viruses.

Sprays: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of sprays, making sure to oil after each use, as sprays can dry the pivot point. Use only manufacturer recommended oil.

Liquids: Here again follow manufactures recommendations and also oil after using liquids.

Water: Try and stay away from wate-based sprays and liquids as they can rust the pivot points if they are not totally dried and oiled.

Lubrication: This is very important after each use of sprays or liquids. Alcohol or petroleum products will dry the pivot point making the shears difficult to operate. The oils used on most shears have oil with wax type liquid to help preserve smooth operation. They will also enhance the performance and extend the life of the shears, the cutting edge, protect them from rust and deterioration from chemicals and moisture. This also prevents bacteria build up which attracts debris (hair, dirt, chemicals and dust). Proper lubrication also reduces friction and blade movement keeping them sharp longer.

Adjusting tension and balancing the shears: Adjust the tension by tightening or loosening the shears at the pivot point. Too loose and it will fold the hair. Too tight and it will cause fatigue and prematurely wear the blades. TEST the free fall or tension by holding the shears straight in the air and allow one blade to drop, or close. It should start to hang at about 2/3 of the length of the blade if it hangs before the point it needs to be loosened. If it closes all the way, it needs to be tighter.

Storage: Keep the blades closed when not in use. This prevents nicking and accidental damage if dropped. Don’t ever use a magnet to hold your shears. Doing so attracts unwanted debris, dust and metal fillings from clippers or metal combs or metal from other shears. Such debris will dull your shears. Do not throw them uncased into a drawer. Keep them in the case provided by the manufacturer or in a leather case.

Sharpening: Your shears are important and expensive tools of your trade. Allow only a professional sharpener with an excellent reputation to sharpen those tools. Ask your colleagues. You want a professional sharpener dedicated to removing only as much metal as necessary to sharpen the shears. NOTE: If your shears are under warranty, return them to the manufacturer for sharpening. Most manufacturers will sharpen them at no cost or replace them, particularly while you are in school.

DOS AND DON’TS

DO

Clean and disinfect, dry and lubricate after every use.
Check tension as you use them. Keep them properly adjusted.
Test cut your shears as follows using single-ply tissue paper – dry at first, cut paper and see if it tears or nicks the paper or the blades bypass or fold paper. If they are all right then wet the paper with water and do it again. If they pass the test then dry and lubricate them for storage. This should be done monthly or if you feel something is wrong, such as pushing hair or folding hair over, or they are not cutting correctly.
Transport or store your shears in a protected case.
Protect your hands! These shears are very sharp and can cause serious injury.
Protect your blades from damage at all times. Only cut hair with them. Exception: Testing for sharpness or tension

DON'T

Don’t use your shears when they are nicked or have divots or edge damage!
Never store you shears dirty: Clean, disinfect and lubricate before storage
Don ‘t throw your shears down or in a drawer – ever. Protecting the blades is the most important thing you can do to extend their life. Sharpening and repair are expensive.
Don’t let your shears come in contact with chemicals such as perm solution or color. These are harmful. Water-based cleaners for combs and brushes can cause rust or corrosion.

CLIPPER BLADES AND CLIPPERS

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

BLADES

Sprays: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding how and when to use washes.

Spray on clipper blade before turning on the clipper. Some clipper sprays have petroleum products and may cause problems when operating the clippers while spraying, particularly if the spray makes contact with the electric motor’s brushes.
Sprays help wash hair out as well as disinfecting and lubricating and coolant cleaning. Some have rust preventive properties. Read the manufacturer’s specifications.
Wipe off and let dry before lubricating.
Lubricate after using the spray on the blades. Four drops, one drop each on each side, front and back. Lubricate both sides of the clipper blade and operate the clipper. Then wipe off excess oil to prevent the clipper from bunching hair and oil. Too much oil will gum up the blades.

Washes: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding how and when to use washes.

You can use washes to clean clippers if you submerge only the blade no more. Operate the clipper to remove build up of hair and other debris. Most washes only require a short run to disinfect, clean, lubricate cool and prevent rust. IMPORANT: Never turn clipper up with motor down and the blade up. Fluid from the cleaner can get inside the electrical components and cause problems. Most clippers are not sealed in this area.
Wipe off excess and dry before lubricating.
Lubricate blades as described in (4.) above.

CLIPPERS

Read and follow the manufacturer’s manual to learn how to clean clipper and how to lubricate your clippers.

Replace any frayed or damaged electrical cords.
Have a professional clean the inside of your clipper annually or when you believe it is necessary. Hair builds up on the inside and can cause the clipper to overheat.
Clean all removable screens as often as necessary to keep hair and debris from building up.
Disinfection of the clipper body should be done as often as you do the blades – after each use. Just spray or dip a smooth rag and then wipe off the outside of the clipper all over including any contact with the cord. Let dry. NOTE: Do not soak the rag. A damp rag is all that’s required.
Use a nail file or emery board to dull the comb edge so you won’t scratch your client.

WHEN TO HAVE YOUR CLIPPER BLADES PROFESSIONALLY SHARPENED OR REPLACED.

If uneven cut occurs.
Pulling the hair or pushing without cutting the hair.
Just not cutting at all or cutting with too much effort such as have to go over and over an area.
When blades are misaligned.
If you drop or brake the blades.

We look forward to meeting you and serving you!

We serve the following communities and rural areas in South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska: Rapid City, Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, Sturgis, Piedmont, Summerset, Buffalo Chip, Newell, Belle Fourche, Custer, Hill City, Wall, Philip, Lemmon, Hot Springs, Faith, Pierre/Ft. Pierre, Winner, Pine Ridge, Martin and Edgemont in South Dakota; Dickenson and Bismarck in North Dakota; Sundance, Gillette and Newcastle in Wyoming; Broadus and Miles City in Montana and Chadron, Crawford, Scottsbluff and Alliance in Nebraska.