Why Maintenance Matters

Professional grooming and cutting shears represent a significant investment—ranging from $100 to $600+ per pair. Proper care protects that investment, maintains cutting performance, extends time between sharpening, and prevents costly repairs.
Neglected shears develop rough edges, lose tension, accumulate corrosion, and fail prematurely. A daily 2-minute routine prevents 90% of problems.

 

Daily Maintenance Routine

After Every Use

• Remove Hair & Debris Wipe blades with a soft, dry cloth to remove hair clippings, coat oils, and product residue. Pay special attention to the pivot area where hair accumulates.
• Disinfect Use shear-safe disinfectant spray or wipes designed for grooming tools. Apply to blades and wipe clean. Never soak shears in disinfectant solution—moisture trapped in the pivot causes rust and degrades internal components.
  Avoid: Barbicide soaking, harsh chemicals, bleach-based cleaners 
• Lubricate the Pivot Apply one small drop of scissor lubricant to the pivot point where the blades meet. Open and close the shear several times to distribute oil. Wipe away excess.

When to Oil:

• After every 2-3 hours of continuous use
• Daily if used regularly
• After disinfecting
• Anytime the shear feels sticky or tight
  Oil Type: Any professional scissor lubricant works. Light machine oils are acceptable. Avoid heavy oils or non-lubricating products.

 

Quick Daily Checklist

Clean blades with soft cloth. Disinfect using spray or wipe method—never soak. Oil pivot point with one drop. Check tension feel. Store in protective case.

 

Weekly & Monthly Care

Weekly (High-Volume Users)

Deep Clean the Pivot Remove accumulated hair and product buildup from the screw/pivot area using a soft brush or cotton swab. Apply fresh lubricant after cleaning.
Inspect Blade Edges Visually examine the blade edges under good lighting. Look for visible nicks, chips, or damage along the cutting edge. Test performance by cutting a single strand of hair—clean cuts indicate sharp edges, while crushing or bending suggests dullness. If edges appear damaged or performance has declined, schedule sharpening.
Check Tension Open shear to 45° and release. Blades should close smoothly without slamming or stopping halfway. Adjust if needed (see Tension Adjustment section below).

Monthly

Thorough Inspection Check screw/adjuster for looseness. Inspect finger rings for cracks. Look for rust spots or discoloration. Test cutting performance on clean hair.
Lubrication Refresh Clean old lubricant residue from pivot area and reapply fresh oil. Old oil attracts dirt and loses effectiveness.

 

Storage & Travel Best Practices

Daily Storage

Always use a protective case or sleeve. Geib Buttercut shears come with cases—use them. Cases prevent accidental drops and impacts, blade edge damage from contact with other tools, dust and debris accumulation, and humidity exposure.
Storage Environment: Cool, dry location away from moisture. Avoid humid bathrooms or steamy grooming areas. Don't leave shears in grooming bags overnight as this traps moisture. Store with blades closed to reduce pivot stress.

Traveling with Shears

Secure tips to prevent nicking or damage in transit. Even minor tip damage affects cutting performance and requires professional repair.
Travel Tips: Use original protective cases. Wrap cases in soft material like towels or bubble wrap for extra protection. Pack shears in checked luggage as TSA may confiscate carry-on shears. Avoid loose storage in toolboxes or bags.

What NOT to Do: Common Mistakes

Using Shears on Dirty or Matted Hair Dirt, sand, and debris dull blades rapidly. Mats create excessive friction and stress. Always bathe and dry pets before scissor work. De-matt coat with clippers or de-matting tools first.
Dropping or Impacting Shears Even a small drop can misalign blades, damage tips, or crack the pivot. Treat shears like precision instruments—because they are.
Cutting Non-Hair Materials Paper, cardboard, fabric, and wire destroy blade edges. Designate shears for hair only.
Using Incorrect Cleaners Harsh chemicals, acetone, and abrasive cleaners damage blade finish and internal components. Stick to products designed for shears.
Over-Tightening Cranking tension too tight causes premature wear, makes cutting difficult, and stresses the pivot. See tension guidance below for proper adjustment.
Ignoring Performance Changes If shears feel different—sticky, loose, or not cutting cleanly—address it immediately. Small problems become expensive repairs if ignored.

Basic Tension Adjustment

What is Tension? Tension controls how tightly the blades press together. Proper tension allows smooth cutting without hair folding or pushing.
Testing Tension using Drop Test Method: Open shear to 45° and release your grip. Blades should close smoothly and stop around 10-15° open when properly tensioned. If too loose, blades slam shut completely. If too tight, blades stop halfway or barely close.
Testing Tension using Separation Test Method: With blades fully closed, gently try to separate the tips by pulling them apart horizontally (side to side). Properly tensioned shears resist separation—the tips should stay together. If tips separate easily with light pressure, tension is too loose and needs adjustment.

Adjusting Tension

For Dial/Screw Adjusters: Open shear fully. Turn adjustment screw clockwise (right) to tighten, counterclockwise (left) to loosen. Make small 1/4-turn adjustments. Test after each adjustment. Repeat until blades close smoothly to 10-15° open.
For Internal Click Adjusters: Locate small adjustment key, usually included with shear. Insert key into adjuster hole. Turn clockwise to tighten. Test and readjust as needed.
When to Stop Adjusting: If multiple adjustments don't fix the problem, the shear may need professional service. Over-adjustment can damage internal components.
Complex Adjustments: Bent blades, damaged pivots, or worn internal parts require professional service. Refer to Geib Buttercut Sharpening Services for evaluation and repair.

 

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: Hair Folding or Pushing Instead of Cutting

Causes: Dull blades (most common), incorrect tension (too loose), or dirty blades.
Solutions: Schedule professional sharpening if blades are dull. Check and adjust tension. Clean and oil pivot.
Schedule Sharpening Service

Problem: Shear Feels Sticky or Tight

Causes: Lack of lubrication, debris in pivot area, or incorrect tension (too tight).
Solutions: Clean pivot area thoroughly. Apply fresh lubricant. Loosen tension slightly.

Problem: Blades Won't Stay Tight / Keep Loosening

Causes: Worn adjustment mechanism, damaged threads, missing tension spring, or missing bumper/buffer component.
Solutions: Requires professional repair. Do not continue using as the problem will worsen and may damage blades. Contact Geib Buttercut at (407) 678-8023.

Problem: Clicking or Grinding Noise

Causes: Debris in pivot, damaged pivot bearing, or misaligned blades.
Solutions: Clean pivot area. If noise persists, seek professional service immediately.

Problem: Blades Cross or Don't Meet Properly

Causes: Bent blades (from drop or impact), damaged pivot, or worn blade edges.
Solutions: Professional repair required. Do not attempt to bend blades yourself.

 

Material-Specific Care

Stainless Steel Shears

Stainless steel means it stains less than carbon steel, not that it's completely stain-proof. Resist corrosion better than carbon steel but still require proper care and maintenance. Most forgiving and durable. Easier to maintain for beginners.

Cobalt Alloy Shears

Harder steel equals sharper edge retention. Slightly more brittle than stainless. Avoid impacts and drops more carefully. Holds sharp edge 2-3x longer than stainless. Requires same daily care routine.

Convex Edge Shears

Ultra-sharp, delicate edges. Requires more careful handling. Oil frequently to prevent micro-corrosion. Professional sharpening only—never DIY. Higher performance equals higher maintenance.

Bevel Edge Shears

More durable edge style. Tolerates heavier use. Easier to sharpen and maintain. Ideal for production grooming.

 

When to Seek Professional Sharpening

Time-Based Guidelines: While there are basic industry guidelines of when to sharpen your shears, ultimately the need depends on how the shears are used and the materials in which they are made from.
Performance-Based Signs: Hair folding instead of cutting cleanly. Visible nicks or burrs on blade edge. Increased hand fatigue as dull shears require more pressure. Rough or scratchy cutting feel. Frayed hair ends instead of clean cuts.
Don't Wait Too Long: Severely dull shears are harder to restore and may require more aggressive sharpening, which shortens blade life. Regular maintenance sharpening preserves your investment.

Schedule Sharpening with Geib Buttercut

Pro Tip: Maintain a rotation of backup shears so you're never without tools while waiting for sharpening service.

Warranty & Service Compliance

Geib Buttercut shears include a Limited Lifetime Warranty covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.
What Voids Warranty: Unauthorized sharpening or repairs. Damage from improper use or abuse. Modifications or alterations.
Maintaining Warranty Coverage: Use shears only for cutting clean hair. Follow recommended care guidelines. Seek authorized Geib Buttercut sharpening services. Avoid drops, impacts, and misuse.
For complete warranty terms, coverage details, and service policies, please review our Terms & Conditions, Limited Lifetime Warranty, Legal Notice, and Privacy Policy.

 

Your Complete Maintenance Schedule

Daily Care (2 minutes after each use): Clean blades with soft, dry cloth to remove all hair and debris. Disinfect using spray or wipe method—never soak shears in solution. Apply one small drop of scissor lubricant to the pivot point and work it in by opening and closing several times. Wipe away excess oil. Store shears in protective case in a cool, dry location.
Weekly Care (5 minutes for high-volume users): Deep clean the pivot area using a soft brush or cotton swab to remove accumulated buildup. Inspect blade edges by viewing them closely under good lighting to check for nicks or rough spots. Test tension by opening to 45° and releasing—blades should close smoothly to 10-15° open. Wipe down handles and exterior surfaces.
Monthly Care (10 minutes for all users): Perform thorough inspection of screw/adjuster, finger rings, and blades for any signs of wear or damage. Clean old lubricant residue from pivot area and reapply fresh oil. Test cutting performance on clean hair. Schedule professional sharpening if performance has declined.
As Needed: Adjust tension using small 1/4-turn increments if blades feel too loose or too tight. Schedule professional sharpening every 4-12 months depending on usage volume. Contact Buttercut for repair service if shears are damaged, make unusual noises, or don't respond to basic maintenance.

 

The True Cost of Neglect

A well-maintained pair of Gator shears can deliver 10-15 years of reliable performance. That's potentially 15,000+ grooms from a minimal monetary investment—less than $0.01 per use. Poor maintenance reduces that lifespan to 2-3 years and requires frequent replacement, turning that penny-per-groom into fifteen cents or more.
Beyond the financial cost, neglected shears create physical strain. Dull blades require excessive hand pressure, leading to fatigue, cramping, and repetitive stress injuries. What starts as minor discomfort can progress to chronic pain that shortens careers. Sharp, properly maintained shears glide through hair with minimal effort, preserving your hands and body for decades of work.
The visible cost appears in your finished grooms. Dull shears create ragged cuts, uneven texture, and rough edges that require additional passes to correct. Each extra pass increases groom time, reduces profit margins, and creates more wear on already compromised tools. Sharp shears finish cleanly on the first pass, producing polished results that build client satisfaction and referrals.

Building Maintenance Habits

The difference between professionals who get 15 years from their shears and those who replace them every two years isn't luck—it's consistency. Two minutes of post-use care feels tedious after a long day, but it becomes automatic with repetition. Place your cleaning supplies next to your shear storage. Make the routine impossible to skip by incorporating it into your workspace shutdown procedure.
Set calendar reminders for weekly deep cleaning and monthly inspections. Schedule professional sharpening appointments in advance based on your usage patterns rather than waiting until performance declines. Professionals who plan ahead maintain backup shears in rotation, ensuring they're never without tools while others are in service.
Teach yourself to notice subtle performance changes before they become problems. Does the tension feel slightly different? Is there a faint clicking that wasn't there last week? Does cutting require fractionally more pressure than usual? Address these warning signs immediately rather than waiting for obvious failure.

Professional Support When You Need It

While daily and weekly maintenance prevents most problems, professional service remains essential. Geib Buttercut's sharpening services restore blade edges using factory-spec techniques that preserve shear geometry and edge integrity.Attempting to sharpen shears yourself with inadequate equipment damages blades beyond repair and voids your warranty.

When you encounter issues that don't respond to basic maintenance—persistent tension problems, unusual noises, blade misalignment—contact our service team immediately at (407) 678-8023. Early intervention prevents minor problems from escalating into expensive repairs or tool replacement. Our technicians have decades of experience diagnosing and correcting issues that would perplex even experienced users.
For complete maintenance supplies, replacement parts, and professional service, visit buttercut.com. We carry the specialized lubricants, cleaning solutions, and protective cases designed specifically for professional grooming shears. Using the right maintenance products makes the daily routine faster and more effective.

 

Protecting Your Investment, Protecting Your Career

Your shears are the most important tools in your kit. They represent not just financial investment but the means of earning your livelihood. Two minutes of daily care protects hundreds of dollars of tools and ensures peak cutting performance every single day.
Treat your shears with the respect they deserve. Clean them after every use. Oil them regularly. Store them properly. Seek professional service when needed. These simple habits separate professionals who struggle with worn-out tools from those who maintain a collection of reliable, high-performing shears throughout their entire career.
The groomers and stylists who built lasting reputations didn't get there with neglected tools. They understood that excellence requires maintenance, that shortcuts create problems, and that consistency produces results. Master the fundamentals of shear care, and you'll have the foundation for a successful, sustainable career with tools that perform at the highest level year after year.
Ready to maintain your shears properly? Shop Geib Buttercut maintenance supplies or schedule sharpening service today. Your hands—and your clients—will thank you.