The Difference Between 5-in-1 Blades and Detachable Blades for Your Horse’s Wahl Clippers
The type of blade to use depends on the type of clipper body that you have for your horse. Wahl trimmers, such as the Arco, the Bravura, and the Creativa, use a 5-in-1 blade. Wahl clippers, such as the KM Cordless, the KM10, and the Power Grip, use a detachable blade.
The 5-in-1 blade easily snaps into your horse trimmers. It consists of a blade system that is adjustable between blade sizes, so that you can customize how much hair you want to remove from your horse. The blade body has a small knob at its base, that allows you to switch sizes between a #9, #10, #15, #30, and #40 with the easy flick of your thumb without changing the blade.
For horses, it’s quite convenient to use the #30 or #40 setting when you need a close clip. This setting is great for clipping around minor scrapes and wounds. For trimming around ears, bridle paths, and even legs, you may prefer to use a #9, a #10, or a #15 to keep a little more hair.
There are guide comb attachments available for the 5-in-1 blades, to further extend the clipping possibilities for your horse.
There is also a 5-in-1 blade that’s a fixed size, if that’s what you prefer. Fixed sizes include a #10 and a #45. It’s still the same design as the adjustable 5-in-1 and will fit the same trimmers. They are also easy to snap in, and combs will also work with these blades.
Detachable blades are quick changing blades that easily pop on and pop off. They are attached to your clipper body by a small hinge that inserts into the bottom of the blade. There are numerous sizes available, from a #8.5 to a #50. The #10 blade also has a wider version, the #10W. This particular blade is great for body clipping horses.
Detachable blades work with the body clipping style of clippers, which are a bit larger and more powerful than the trimmers.
The blade number on detachable blades, just as with the 5-in-1 style, let you know how close the clipper blade will cut. The higher the blade number, the more hair is removed.
Tips for Choosing the Best Clippers and Blades for Your Horse
It’s easy to decide which products to use for your horse. If you body clip your horse, choose a body clipper like the KM series. These are excellent for both body clipping and trimming, and come in both cordless and corded varieties. You will then be using detachable blades.
If you will only be trimming your horse, there are many styles of trimmers to choose from. You will then be using the 5-in-1 series of blades. These are cordless, either with batteries or a recharging cord. The styles of clippers with a recharging cord can be used as a cordless or while being charged.
You also have the option of using a Pro Series clipper, which gives you benefits of both. You can use them to body clip, the blades are detachable and adjustable, and there are corded and cordless varieties.
Happy Clipping!
For more great tips and tutorials from Liv, check out her website Pro Equine Grooms.