Aaronco Stripping Knives: Strip the Coat for Summer

When it comes to grooming tools, there are probably some you look at and think, "What are those for?" Stripping knives may fall into that category.

Stripping knives are used mainly by groomers and exhibitors of harsh coated breeds (for example, Wire Haired Fox Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Bouvier des Flanders) and sporting breed dogs which are shown with a natural jacket, such as English Springer Spaniels, Irish Setters, and both American and English Cocker Spaniels. However, stripping and carding knives may be used on other breeds, as well.

The long, dead coat is stripped or pulled out on harsh coated breeds rather than being scissored or clipped off. Stripping encourages the regrowth of those long, intensely pigmented guard hairs and gives the breeds their characteristic look and coat texture. Removing the undercoat is more of the focus on sporting breeds, allowing the smooth guard hairs to lie flat and create that elegant, sleek look. The hair may be plucked using fingers, or the groomer may choose to use a stripping knife to help them remove more hair with each pull. If reading this makes you cringe, please know that the dead hair slides easily from the hair follicles, and when the technique is done correctly, the dog feels no discomfort. I have literally had dogs fall asleep while I am stripping them.

Aaronco stripping knives are a staple in my tack box, and here is why. The wooden handles are not only beautiful but ergonomically designed to fit comfortably while you work. The metal is smoothly finished and pre-dulled, allowing the teeth to grab the dead coat without cutting it. Unlike many brands, these knives come in both left and right-handed varieties, and wonder of wonders, each is clearly marked on the handle, so it is easy to see at a glance which knife is suitable for the job. The set of five come in their own handsome leather case.

Even groomers who only style pets and never plan to strip a dog will find that a good carding tool such as the Magna Carder is a must-have. Use it to pull out undercoat on clipped terriers and sporting breeds and significantly reduce that annoying "corduroy" texture you get when clipping some pets. In addition, by carding out the dead undercoat before clipping, you will achieve a smoother finish. Finally, a major additional bonus-carding will improve the pet's skin health by removing dead undercoat from the follicles and encouraging new coat to grow in.

Stripping and carding tools are essential, but sometimes misunderstood, grooming tools. Aaronco brand knives offer exceptional quality, durability, and beauty to get the job done well.