Understanding True Dog Grooming Blenders: Your Essential Finishing Tool

As professional dog groomers, we know that achieving a flawless, natural-looking coat often comes down to the finishing touches. One of the most versatile and indispensable tools in our kit is the dog grooming blending scissor, commonly referred to as a blender. At Harebone Shears, our premium blenders—like the Cloud Moon 7.5" with 32 teeth or the New Moon Elite with 30 teeth—are crafted from high-quality 440C steel to deliver precise, effortless blending every time.

What Is a True Dog Grooming Blender?

A true blender is characterized by one solid straight cutting blade and one serrated (toothed) blade. This design allows it to seamlessly blend transitions between different hair lengths, soften harsh lines from clippers or straight shears, and create a soft, natural texture without removing excessive bulk.

Unlike other thinning tools:

• True thinners typically feature teeth on both blades, making them ideal for significant bulk removal closer to the skin on dense undercoats.
• Chunkers have wider, T-shaped teeth (often fewer, like 15-20) on one blade, designed for quick, heavy texturizing and removing larger sections of coat—perfect for thick, curly fur like on Doodles or Poodles.

Blenders strike the perfect balance: they remove moderate amounts of hair while prioritizing seamless blending and a polished finish.

Key Benefits and Uses of Blending Shears

Blenders excel as a finishing tool, helping you:

• Smooth out uneven areas and correct clipper or scissor marks.
• Blend coat around sensitive areas like the face, ears, legs, and furnishings.
• Create natural movement and direction without shortening the overall length.
• Add texture or subtle weight to specific parts of the cut for enhanced styling.
• Achieve a hand-scissored look on breeds like Goldens, Shelties, or Yorkies.

Many dog orgroomers rely on blenders to ease transitions, add flow, and deliver that professional, effortless appearance clients love.

Choosing the Right Tooth Count for Your Blenders

The number of teeth significantly impacts the effect:

• 20–30 teeth: Balanced blending with moderate removal—great for everyday use on medium textures.
• 30–40+ teeth: Softer, finer finishing and texturizing—ideal for fine coats or delicate final touches (e.g., our Cloud  Moon 32 tooth blender provides an ultra-smooth result).

Higher tooth counts generally remove more hair per cut, resulting in a subtler, more blended finish.

Best Practices and Tips for Using Blenders

• Orientation: Experiment with teeth up or down. Teeth up (solid blade down) often creates a softer blend, while teeth down removes more weight—perfect for adding volume or movement.
• Work mid-strand, never too close to the skin, to avoid short stubs that stick up or brittle ends.
• Use as a finishing step over a comb for even length and natural fluff.
• Avoid overuse: Excessive thinning can leave hair feeling weak or overly sparse.

With proper technique, blenders help you create stunning, low-maintenance grooms that highlight the dog's natural beauty.

Ready to elevate your finishing game? Explore Harebone Shears' collection of premium curved and straight blenders, designed with ergonomic flipping handles for comfort and precision.