All posts by Arthur Frankland

Today Thursday 17 May 2018 I had people from Pets at Home for detailed training in the maintenance and sharpening of Pet Groomers Scissors. This is consequential to my visit and presentation at PETS AT HOME headquarters at Stoke on Trent.I will, in due time be training all their sharpeners on Scissor maintenance and later maintenance and sharpening of all types of Dog Clippers-Andis,Oöster and Wahl etc Claire had done a little sharpening before but John was completely new to it.  We sharpened straight, curved,ergonomic and left handed scissorsof various lengths. After five hours with they were ready for their return journey to Stoke on Trent- a lot the wiser.

Now they both need to start practising immediately whilst it is fresh in their minds.

Visit with Heather Doyle- Groomer at Queens Park Veterinary Surgery Bolton

A lovely, kind lady with many clippers and scissors that have done a lot of work and become blunt, This was my first visit here on the Chorley New Road – a busy stretch of road but I was lucky to find the only space available for my car.  I think Heather averages up to eight dog groomings per day.

Wonderful conditions for me to work in with several cups of tea provided. After sharpening and re-assembling all of her Clippers I requested Heather to test them as it was a first visit; I wanted to see the smile on her face with sharp  tools. Heather was very appreciative and complimentary. Much the same reaction with her Scissors.

Also, I met “Apache”a beautiful Saint Bernard !

 

 

 

Kyle Holliday visit- done-Trained 18th April 2018

…………….Well my work with Kyle from Northampton is almost finished.  I was right he was a fast learner- I particularly liked him and his new customers will too because he is a humble, well mannered person, one of seven brothers !! After my demonstrations he very successfully sharpened several Andis and Öster blades, he put them into the Clipper and then we tested them three different ways- with test string ( specially made for this purpose) , Dog hair and a test mat – hair that mimics a dog’s  coat,

Then he sharpened various Scissors, curved one’s for trimming around a dog’s face- no problem, left handed scissors and a five and a half inch hairdressers scissor.  Then we demonstrated how to sharpen Knives, because I was out of stock of New Knife Grinders he decided to pay immediately for the Clipper Machine and the Ookami

Twice as sharp by Wolff Industries Inc  and return here when we have new stock of Knife Grinders here ( in two weeks) . When he returns he will come with his mother – Cindy , who is a Professional Dog Groomer.

Kyle still has to sit his theory exam and choose his new Company name.

 

Big visit tomorrow 16 April 2018 by Kyle Holliday from Northampton

Kyle Holliday will be in my workshop. He is a young man coming up from Northampton. Kyle is changing is career pattern and has

decided to learn how to sharpen Professional Scissors , Knives and Clippers. I have yet to meet him but my feeling is that he will be ver keen to learn.

He specifically asked me for a three day learning period-so he must be determined.

I look forward to welcoming him for a minimum of 15 hours, that is three five hour sessions, ten until three pm each day.

i will report his progress soon.

 

New Sharpening Company – North West

Simon and Ian two very dedicated men returned to Frankland Grinding for two more days of intensive training, four days in total. This is another local Lancashire based sharpening company. They had their first day as a general overview on the tools they wish to sharpen: Scissors, Knives and Clippers. Second day purely knife sharpening. Third day learning the skills of Dog and horse/barbers Clippers, finally 4th day Professional Scissor Sharpening. They bought ALL the necessary grinding machines + Wolffs new Convexing Clamp after much in depth training and work on their part.

I had a sneaky feeling their favourite area was Knife Sharpening so chefs be ready for Simon and Ian .

March visit to French Market and School of Sharpening at Beaumarchés

During this month I had the great pleasure of returning to my beloved France, drive to  Portsmouth (first day) 265miles.Overnight ferry with Britanny Ferries to Saint Malo. Second day drive to Aire Poitou Charente-450 miles approx. Then from here crossed Bordeaux and drove to Aire Sur L’Adour (heaven on earth !) (third day) early on day four to my good customer Monsieur LEPOUTRE,Bernard and son Reunan at F.C.T.V.  the French School of Sharpening. I delivered some six Ookami Scissor machines and Two AF/CAN Clipper Honers. Plus many accessories. Unfortunately I left my specs here and a Clipper rubbing block- which I will pick up on my next trip unless Bernard sends them on to me. I also bought for resale a new Knife Sharpener- a superb machine for resale purposes.  I will post a picture of this on my website soon.

After the business I visited two towns where the Blessed Virgin Mary had appeared around the same time in the 19th century. Lourdes and Pontmain

Drove home and clocked up 1934 miles. Very fresh on arrival home !

Plenty of people  queuing up to see me on my return !

 

 

Training of Nick Hardwick-Hardwick Hounds (near Mansfield)

WEDNESDAY 4th April 2018

Nick’s wife Terri runs a successful Dog Grooming business but had problems getting her Scissors and Clippers serviced and sharpened when she wanted them and to the precision she needed.

So Nick came to me for Professional Training and to purchase our AF/CAN SUPER SIMPLE TO USE CLIPPER HONING MACHINE Model AF/CAN  and our Wolff Industries Inc Ookami Scissor sharpener. He chose the OGS-TAS one of four specifications which includes the necessary equipment for his use.  He knows there are more complimentary accessories which are here in stock if and when he needs them.

After some examination theory and Practise he passed with flying colours.  Another happy customer.  Good luck Nick and Terri !

New Company-Fraser Blades Highlands of Scotland

On Monday and Tuesday this week  I met Leah – she drove down from Findhorn near Inverness. Leah wanted to be trained in all aspects of Knife, Scissor and Clipper Servicing/ Sharpening. I quickly realised Leah was quite a sharp lady early on . Leah has every intention of starting her own mobile sharpening business up there in the Highlands. Whilst Leah has not yet officially started she hopes to buy very soon  the necessary single phase 220 volts machines to sharpen and service these tools: Our Tru-Hone Knife Sharpener that sharpens both sides of a double bevelled knife simultaneously and incorporates variable thickness control for varying thickness of Knives; She will be sharpening knives in Schools/Colleges/Restaurants/Hôtels etc throughout the Inverness/Aberdeen areas.  Also the Ookami OGS-TAS Scissor Machine to sharpen Hairdressers/barbers and Dog Groomer blades as well as many other types of scissors; Our AF/CAN. Precision Clipper Blade honing/ sharpening machine for Dog/Horse/Barber/Sheep Clipper Bladesharpener. This machine quickly sharpens Wahl/Öster/Andis and Aesculaps combs and cutters to a PERFECT edge. She is a lovely approachable and intelligent person so Highlands get ready and SUPPORT HER !

Training Ed Haier from Northampton-Professional Scissors and Clippers

I spent two days with Ed Haier. He lives in Northampton. This man is clever !! He picked up these skills very quickly. So DOG GROOMERS,HAIRDRESSERS AND BARBERS IN NORTHAMPTON you should be aware Ed will sharpen all your blades. *He will not rush but  they will be perfect when he leaves you. He bought the finest Clipper honing machine from me and already had the Ookami Scissor Machine. Ed is a very nice ,easy going man- I am sure you will like him and want his services any time you have Scissors and Clippers that don’t cut/clip. Ed also supplies quality scissors- Hairdressers listen to him ! before choosing your Scissor- he will give you the best advice.