Help with choosing clippers

[rushcreek]

Hi,
I'm not a professional groomer but do own 4 Schnauzers that I have been grooming for a couple of years. I swear two of them are like shearing sheep. I've been using an Andis Pet groomer, but it is just not working for me any more and I'm ready to upgrade. I need a good reliable and tough clipper. Thinking about a Oster Turbo, Oster Golden or an Andis AGRC. I could use some advise on which would be the most durable, long lasting clipper. Is there another that would be better? I'm prepared to spend about 150.00. (More if I need to.)What is the difference in the Oster Golden and the Turbo? Should I be looking for the highest stroke per minute? Seems they all come with a #10 blade. Would I need another blade? Maybe a #7? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a little confused and have no idea what I should be looking for.
Thank you for any advice you could give me.

[Kat09Tails]

I personally don't like Oster. I usually try them a couple days and end up returning them.

Andis pro series should be more than enough clipper for a few schnauzers and if you care for them should last you years. I would suggest finding a Andis AGC 2 speed. Really I enjoy any of the Andis AGC Line. You might try getting a 7 FC blade and a comb set in addition to the 10 blade it will come with.You'll also need a decent set of straight shears to do a proper pet schnauzer clip.

[rushcreek]

Thank you! I got the Andis AGC Ultra edge and a #7 FC blade. Can't wait till they get here. I have 4 very shaggy Schnauzers waiting for their hair cuts.

[Kat09Tails]

Don't forget the blade wash and clipper oil. Forget the cool lube - it's a mostly worthless product.

[Spiritwind]

I personally love the Andis ACG line as well. This is the brand I use. I don't like Osters. They are heavier, louder and the last Osters I bought the body of the clippers got really hot in just a matter of minutes.

For Schnauzers a 10 and 7 blade should be all you need (be careful with the 7 blade around the tuckup and armpit area (assuming you are not leaving a skirt), the teeth are spaced farther apart than a 10 so its easy to nick them with the clipper blade in those kind of areas. You could use a 5 or 4 blade if you wanted to leave a little more length of hair.

[rushcreek]

I usually do leave the skirt, but will be stripping (Is that the right term?)these four since I let them go for so long. My new Andis ACG clippers came in today. Do have to get the blade wash though and maybe that #4 blade. Very happy with them so far. Already two of my babies look and feel so much better. Thank you all for the advise!

[Whipple]

Just curious, have you ever had your old clippers blades sharpened?

[rushcreek]

I had my old blades sharpened at least 5 different times. Sometimes they wouldn't cut at all newly sharped. I had three sets. Just got to be a real pain. So far these new clippers are great.