What are warning signs that a clipper blade may need sharpening?

When clipper blades are in optimal condition, they should glide smoothly through hair without causing any pulling or snagging. If you notice that the blades are pulling or snagging, this is a clear indication that they may no longer be sharp enough to cut effectively. Dull blades struggle to cut through hair, leading to this undesirable hair pulling effect, which can cause discomfort for clients and affect the quality of the haircut.

While other symptoms, such as loud noises, excessive vibrations, or blades overheating, can indicate issues with the clipper, they do not directly relate to the cutting efficiency of the blades in the same way that pulling or snagging does. Therefore, the key warning sign that specifically points to the need for sharpening is when the blades pull or snag hair.