If you know the dog but not the blade number, start with the coat. Use the guide below to match the coat type, choose the finish you want, and find the blade that suits your dog.
New to blade numbers? Read the quick guide.
Professional groomers may know the coat straight away. If you are buying for your own dog, use the breed examples and simple coat clues below. The right blade depends on what the coat is like today: clean and brushed, thick and woolly, silky, wiry, double-coated, or too tangled to comb through.
Think Poodles, Cockapoos, Cavapoos, Labradoodles and Bichons. If the coat grows fluffy or curly and tangles around the legs, ears or belly, start with #10 for hygiene areas, then choose 7F for a shorter practical body, 5F for a softer finish, or 4F when the coat is fully brushed out and you want more length.
Think Cocker Spaniels, Cavaliers, Yorkies and similar coats with softer feathering on the ears, legs or chest. #10 or #15 keeps pads, hygiene areas and detail work neat. If you are clipping the body, 7F gives a shorter finish, while 5F or 4F leaves a little more coat when the dog is brushed and knot-free.
Think Schnauzers, Westies, Border Terriers and many terrier crosses. Some wiry coats are hand-stripped rather than clipped, but if you are clipping, #10 is useful for tight areas and 7F or 5F gives controlled shorter body work. The 5/8N is for narrow detail areas where a normal blade is too wide.
Think Huskies, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Border Collies and similar dogs with a soft undercoat under a topcoat. These coats usually need brushing and de-shedding, not a full body clip. Use A5 blades only for specific hygiene, vet or practical clipping jobs where clipping is appropriate.
Still unsure? If your dog sounds like more than one category, choose the closest coat type and ask VUNRO before ordering. These are universal standard A5 detachable blades for standard A5 detachable-blade clippers; they are not for trimmers, 5-in-1 adjustable-blade clippers, or fixed-blade clippers.
On standard A5 blades, higher numbers usually cut closer. F-blades are for a smoother body finish, and wide blades cover more coat on larger dogs.
A #10 is the usual starting point for hygiene areas, paw pads and close detail. Add 7F for a shorter body finish or 5F for a softer finish, then keep replacement cutters in mind for maintenance.
#10 is the everyday close blade for many hygiene and detail areas. Choose #15 when you need a slightly closer finish.
7F and 5F are popular body blades when the coat is clean, brushed and ready to clip.
4F and 3F leave more coat behind, so they work best when the coat is clean and combed through.
Wide blades cover more coat with each pass, which helps on larger dogs when the coat is prepared.
For many groomers and pet owners, this covers the basics: one blade for close detail, one for a shorter body finish and one for a softer body finish.
A useful everyday blade for hygiene areas, paw pads and close detail.
A shorter body finish for clean, brushed coats when #10 would be too close.
A softer body finish when you want to leave a little more coat behind.
For hygiene areas, paw pads, face work and other close clipping.
A very close blade for specialist situations where that level of closeness is appropriate.
A close blade for short clipping and for use under compatible guard comb setups.
A dependable first close/detail blade for many groomers and pet owners.
For clean, brushed coats when you want a tidy finish with some coat left behind.
A fuller finish for clean coats that can comfortably take a longer blade.
The longest steel F-blade in this guide, for a fuller finish on prepared coats.
For larger dogs and wider body areas.
Keep your blades cutting smoothly with the right care parts.
Replacement cutter made for the closest #40 and #50 blades.
Join BladeClub before you order and we will email you 15% off your first VUNRO purchase. We will also send simple blade-care tips and buying advice, so you can choose with more confidence and look after your blades properly.
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Send us your clipper model, the dog breed or coat type, and the finish you want. We will help you choose before you order.
Use the coat guide above, browse the steel blade range, or contact us if you want a second opinion before you order.
Best first close/detail blade
Short body finish
Softer body finish
