On Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:39:29 -0400, Sandee Kelley
wrote:

We are the unofficial rescue home of abandoned animals in our area.
After light nutritious meals and a health check, the next thing is to
try to find their home if lost or a new home if abandonded. This is
where we take the rescued dog to a groomer for a bath and haircut.

Due to job changes resulting in a lower household budget, I will now
be doing this step. I have researched clippers and decided to go with
Andis. My problem is that I don't know the difference between
detachable blades, fixed blades, variable blades, etc. I know what the
words mean, but have no idea of how the difference will impact my
ability to do a good job working with new rescues. Most of them are in
very fragile condition, sometimes physically and almost always
emotionally, so I know it has to be a quiet clipper and Andis
reviewers consistently rave about how quietly their clippers operate.

Sometimes there are 3 or 4 dogs a year, sometimes there are 3 or 4 a
month. They all need help. I plan to invest in one of the higher end
clipper models due to the fact that many of our newly rescued dogs
have matted coats and I know it takes patience and a strong motor to
work through a coat like that.

If you have any experience with the different types of clipper blades
as to attached, detached, locking, etc., please help me understand how
they work in the clipping process. If you have used different types,
please let me know what you would buy and learn to use in this
situation, and why it would make it better for the dogs.

I think you'd get better results by asking some groomers. I've done
rescue for years and know lots of other rescue people, but none of
them are experts on clippers and blades.