Why Toothed Grooming Shears Get Stuck Open — Causes, Fixes, and Prevention

Why Can Toothed Grooming Shears Catch?

Every toothed shear can potentially catch under certain conditions. This can happen even with a good pair of shears, especially when the toothed blade and the straight cutting blade have not yet worn into each other smoothly.

In practical use, the issue often appears when:

• you are used to an older pair and then switch to a new pair that has not fully broken in yet;
• someone else uses your shears and then you notice the movement feels different afterward;
• you use another person's shears and the blades start catching while you handle them;
• the shears are opened and closed too quickly before the blades are properly worked in;
• extra thumb pressure causes the toothed blade and cutting blade to bind against each other.

So if the shears catch, it does not automatically mean there is a quality problem. Most of the time, there is a clear mechanical reason behind it, and that reason can often be corrected through the right adjustment and movement.

Common Scenarios Groomers Notice

Many groomers describe the issue in a similar way: “I was fine with my usual pair, but as soon as I switched to a newer pair, it caught.”

This often happens because the groomer’s hand has already adapted to the movement, tension, and blade contact of their usual shears. A new pair may feel slightly different and may still need time to break in. If the groomer immediately uses the same speed or thumb pressure they use with an older, well-worn pair, the blades may catch before they have had a chance to settle into a smooth working motion.

A similar situation can occur after someone else uses your shears. Different groomers naturally apply different amounts of thumb pressure and move the blades at different speeds. When you use the shears again, they may no longer feel exactly as expected and can catch if you continue at your usual pace without first checking the movement.

The same applies when using another groomer’s shears. Your normal hand motion may not match the way that particular pair has been adjusted or broken in. This is why catching can appear suddenly even when the shears were working normally for someone else.

In these situations, the catching usually has a clear mechanical cause. It is often related to differences in blade tension, break-in, movement speed, or thumb pressure rather than an immediate indication that the shears are defective.

What Does the Problem Look Like?

The typical symptom is simple: the shears will not close fully. The stopping point usually appears in the rear half of the blades, closer to the pivot, rather than at the front tip.

You may notice one or more of these signs:

• the blades stop while closing and refuse to continue smoothly;
• the shears remain partly open;
• there is a clear catching point in the back half of the blades;
• the more you force them, the worse the movement feels.

How to Fix It Safely

The goal is not to muscle the shears shut. Instead, you gently release the bind, let the blades close, then repeat a controlled movement cycle so the blades can gradually smooth back out.

For right-handed shears, the left hand does the fine control work on the blades. The right hand continues to hold the handle, but the right thumb should stay relaxed and should not power the motion.

Step-by-Step Illustrated Method

The Working Cycle Explained Clearly

Once the shears have been gently closed again, the main recovery method becomes a small repeating cycle:

That means:

1. Stabilize the closed blades with your left fingers.
2. Slowly work the blades open using the left fingertips.
3. Create the same very small gap again to prevent the bind from returning too abruptly.
4. Let the blades close gently.
5. Repeat the cycle until the movement becomes smooth again.

This is why Step 7 and Step 8 are different. Step 7 is the slow “working open” stage, where the blades move gently against each other. Step 8 is a reset movement that recreates the small gap, similar to Step 4. Step 9 closes the blades again, bringing you back to Step 6.

The movement should always stay light, slow, and controlled. The idea is to gradually smooth the contact area—not to force the blades into compliance.

How to Test New Shears Properly

When you receive a new pair of toothed shears, do not begin by snapping them open and shut rapidly. New shears should be tested slowly and carefully, especially while they are still breaking in.

What to Pay Attention To

• Too tight: The shears feel draggy, tight, or rough while opening and closing.
• Too loose: After opening the shears, the toothed blade slides down too easily on its own.
• Correct tension: The blades do not fall shut by themselves, but they also do not feel tight or stiff.

If you need to adjust tension, remember the basic rule: left to loosen, right to tighten.

During early test cutting, use a calm rhythm and cut little by little. Do not use a “click-click-click” rapid movement style right away. Fast opening and closing often causes the thumb to push harder without you noticing, and that extra force can increase the chance of the blades catching.

When test cutting, use the front third of the blades. This is the most controlled area for checking how the shears are moving.

How to Prevent the Problem from Happening Again

The best prevention is good handling. Toothed shears reward smooth, controlled movement.

Practical Prevention Tips

• Break in new shears gently instead of opening and closing them rapidly.
• Monitor tension before use. Avoid running the shears too tight or too loose.
• Use the front third of the blades for test cutting.
• Do not overuse thumb force during opening and closing.
• If someone else uses your shears, check the movement again before returning to your normal pace.
• If a catching sensation starts, address it early instead of pushing through it.

Frequently Asked Questions