Dog Grooming Shears Catching or Locking? Causes, Safe Fixes & Preventi

If your grooming shears suddenly feel stiff, catch at one point, refuse to close, or begin folding hair instead of cutting it, stop using them before applying more pressure.

A catching problem does not always mean the shears are defectie or need sharpening. In many cases, the cause may be trapped hair, dried grooming residue, insufficient lubrication, incorrect tension, side pressure from the hand, or a coat that has not been fully prepared. However, catching at the same point during every opening and closing cycle can also indicate blade damage, tooth contact, or misalignment that requires professional inspection.

This guide explains how to identify the type of problem, perform safe basic maintenance, decide whether a tension adjustment is appropriate, and recognize when the shears should no longer be used.

The most important rule

Never force grooming shears closed when the blades or teeth are catching. Additional pressure can turn a minor obstruction into permanent blade or tooth damage.

1. What Does “Catching” Mean?

Groomers may use the words catching, locking, jamming, sticking, or grinding to describe several different problems. Identifying the exact symptom is the first step toward finding the correct solution.

The shears feel stiff throughout the entire movement

The blades open and close, but the movement feels heavier than usual from beginning to end. This is commonly associated with:

Insufficient lubrication around the pivot
Dried hair, oil, dirt, or grooming-product residue
Tension that is set too tightly
Side pressure being applied through the thumb

The shears stop at the same position every time

The blades move normally until they reach one specific point, where they click, catch, or stop. This is more concerning and may indicate:

A small nick or raised area on a cutting edge
A tooth touching the opposite blade
Blade misalignment
Damage caused by a fall, impact, or forced closure
A foreign particle trapped between the blades

The shears move normally in the air but fold or pull hair

This usually points toward a cutting-performance issue rather than a mechanical lock. Possible causes include:

Tension that is too loose
A coat that is damp, tangled, dirty, or not fully combed through
Too much hair being taken in one cut
An unsuitable shear type for the coat section
Edges that require professional servicing

Toothed shears lock as the teeth pass the cutting blade

Chunkers, thinners, fluffers, and erasers require the teeth to pass the opposite cutting blade with precise clearance. They are more sensitive to lateral hand pressure, incorrect tension, tooth damage, and alignment changes than standard straight or curved cutting shears.

2. When to Stop Immediately

Basic cleaning, lubrication, and a small tension correction may resolve light stiffness. However, stop using the shears immediately if any of the following applies:

The shears were recently dropped or struck against a hard surface.
The blades catch at exactly the same point during every cycle.
A tooth visibly contacts or rests on the opposite blade.
You hear a sharp click, scrape, crunch, or grinding sound.
The blades require noticeable force to close.
A blade, tip, or tooth appears bent, chipped, raised, or uneven.
The pivot screw is loose, damaged, or turning abnormally.
The problem began immediately after sharpening, adjustment, repair, or disassembly.
The shears cannot be returned gently to the fully closed position.

Important: Do not continue opening and closing the shears repeatedly to “work through” a fixed catch. Each forced cycle may deepen a nick, damage a tooth, or change the contact between the blades.

3. Quick Symptom Guide

What you notice	Possible cause	Recommended next step
Stiff from fully open to fully closed	Dry pivot, residue, or excessive tension	Clean, oil, and retest before making a small tension adjustment
Catches at one exact point in the air	Nick, tooth contact, alignment issue, or impact damage	Stop using and request inspection
Works in the air but folds hair	Loose tension, coat preparation, excessive section size, or dullness	Check the coat, cutting technique, and tension
Toothed shear locks near the tip	Tooth contact, side pressure, or tip misalignment	Do not force it closed; gently release and inspect
Movement improves after oiling	Insufficient lubrication or residue around the pivot	Continue routine cleaning and lubrication
Problem started after a drop	Blade, tip, pivot, or tooth alignment may have changed	Stop using and arrange professional inspection
Hair or residue is visible between the blades	Debris obstruction	Remove the debris carefully, clean, oil, and retest

4. How to Diagnose the Problem Step by Step

Step 1: Move away from the pet

Never troubleshoot sharp shears close to a pet. Place the pet in a safe position, move to a stable and well-lit work surface, and keep your fingers away from the cutting edges and teeth.

Step 2: Remember when the problem started

Consider what happened immediately before the catching began:

Were the shears dropped?
Did they strike a comb, table, clipper blade, or another metal tool?
Were they used on a damp, dirty, tangled, or product-heavy coat?
Was the tension screw recently adjusted?
Were the shears recently sharpened or repaired?
Did the problem develop gradually or appear suddenly?

A sudden problem after an impact is more likely to require professional inspection. Gradual stiffness without an impact is more likely to involve cleaning, lubrication, tension, or normal servicing.

Step 3: Inspect the shears while fully closed

Without touching the edges, look closely under bright light for:

Hair trapped around the pivot
Dried residue on the inside surfaces
Uneven blade tips
A tooth resting against the cutting blade
A shiny impact point, dent, chip, or raised mark
A loose or uneven tension screw
A bent bumper, finger rest, or handle

Step 4: Perform one slow movement test

Only if the shears can move without force, open them slightly and close them very slowly. Pay attention to where the resistance occurs.

Resistance throughout the movement: investigate lubrication, residue, hand pressure, and tension.
Resistance at one exact location: stop testing and request inspection.
No resistance in the air: investigate coat preparation, section size, technique, and cutting performance.

Do not repeat the test many times. One or two gentle cycles are enough to identify whether the issue is general stiffness or a fixed mechanical catch.

5. How to Safely Release Shears That Are Caught

This method is intended only to return lightly caught shears to the closed position. It is not a repair for bent, chipped, dropped, or visibly damaged shears.

Stop squeezing immediately. Do not increase thumb pressure.
Move the shears completely away from the pet.
Hold the handles securely over a stable surface. Keep all fingers away from the blades and teeth.
Very slightly lift the upper blade away from the lower blade. Lift only enough to reduce contact between the two blades. Do not bend, twist, pry, or flex the blade.
While maintaining that minimal separation, guide the handles slowly toward the fully closed position.
Stop if the shears do not close with very light pressure. Do not repeat the movement forcefully.
Once closed, inspect the blades and teeth before reopening them.

This motion should be extremely small. The goal is only to release blade-to-blade pressure and guide the shears back to a safe closed position—not to change the blade shape or alignment.

If the blades remain locked, a tooth appears trapped, or the movement requires force, keep the shears closed or in their safest available position and contact customer support or a qualified shear specialist.

6. How to Clean and Oil Grooming Shears

Hair fragments, coat oils, moisture, dirt, and grooming-product residue can collect around the pivot and between the blade surfaces. Regular cleaning and lubrication reduce friction and make it easier to identify whether the problem is maintenance-related or mechanical.

What you will need

A clean, soft, lint-free cloth
A soft detailing brush, if necessary
Professional shear or clipper oil
A stable, dry, well-lit work surface

Cleaning procedure

Make sure the shears are away from the pet and safely closed.
Wipe the outside surfaces, handles, pivot area, and accessible blade surfaces with a soft cloth.
Remove visible hair around the screw and between the teeth with a soft brush.
If a manufacturer-approved cleaning or disinfecting product is used, apply it to the cloth rather than soaking the shears.
Dry the shears thoroughly. Do not leave moisture around the pivot, screw, teeth, or blade contact surfaces.

Oiling procedure

Open the shears only as far as they move smoothly.
Apply one small drop of professional shear oil near the pivot where the two blades meet.
Gently open and close the shears several times, provided there is no fixed catch.
Hold the blades pointed downward briefly so loosened residue and excess oil can move away from the pivot.
Wipe away excess oil with a clean cloth.

A small amount is sufficient. Excess oil can attract hair and debris, so the shears should not be left wet or dripping.

Do not oil and repeatedly cycle shears that catch at one fixed point. A fixed catch may involve blade or tooth damage, and repeated movement can make it worse.

7. How to Check and Adjust Tension

Tension controls how firmly the two blades contact each other during cutting. Incorrect tension can cause different symptoms:

Too tight: heavy movement, hand fatigue, excessive blade pressure, or accelerated wear
Too loose: folding, pushing, pulling, or bending hair instead of cutting cleanly

Tension adjustment is appropriate only when the blades are clean, lubricated, visibly undamaged, and able to move through the full cycle without catching at one specific point.

Before adjusting

Return the shears gently to the fully closed position.
Clean and oil the pivot first.
Note the original position of the tension dial or screw.
Make only one small adjustment at a time.

If the shears feel uniformly too tight

Loosen the tension by one small click or approximately one-eighth of a turn.
Open and close the shears slowly.
Stop immediately if a fixed catch becomes noticeable.
Repeat only if the movement is still uniformly tight and there is no mechanical catch.

If the shears fold or push clean, prepared hair

Tighten the tension by one small click or approximately one-eighth of a turn.
Retest on a small section of clean, dry, fully combed coat.
Stop when the shears cut cleanly without unnecessary resistance.

Do not rotate the tension screw several full turns at once. Large adjustments make it difficult to identify the correct setting and can increase pressure between the blades.

Tension cannot repair damaged alignment. If the blades or teeth catch at the same point regardless of tension, stop adjusting and arrange an inspection.

8. How to Test the Shears Correctly

First test: movement without cutting

After cleaning, oiling, and making any small tension adjustment, slowly open and close the shears away from the pet.

The movement should feel controlled and consistent. There should be no fixed stop, tooth collision, sharp click, or grinding sensation.

Second test: clean, prepared coat

Test the shears on a small and safe section of coat that is:

Clean
Completely dry
Free from matting and tangles
Fully combed through from the skin outward
Free from excessive finishing spray, oil, powder, or residue

Take a small amount of hair with each cut. Trying to force too much coat between the blades can cause folding or resistance even when the shears are functioning normally.

Do not use paper as a diagnostic test

Paper does not behave like pet hair and may leave fibers or residue on precision edges. A paper test can also give misleading results, especially with chunkers, thinners, fluffers, erasers, and other toothed grooming shears.

For a meaningful performance test, use a small section of clean, dry, fully combed coat and record the result if support is required.

9. Different Problems by Shear Type

Straight and curved cutting shears

Uniform stiffness is commonly related to the pivot, tension, residue, or hand pressure. Catching at one exact position may indicate a nick, misalignment, or impact damage.

Curved shears should be opened and closed using a smooth thumb motion without pushing the thumb sideways. Lateral pressure can force the blades together more aggressively than intended.

Thinners

Thinners usually have many fine teeth and a lower cutting rate. Hair folding may result from loose tension, oversized sections, coat preparation, or edges that require servicing.

If a fine tooth touches the cutting blade in the air, stop using the shears. Do not attempt to straighten an individual tooth by hand.

Chunkers

Chunkers have wider teeth and typically remove more hair per cut. Because the teeth are larger, incorrect thumb pressure, a drop, or a forced closure can create obvious locking or tooth contact.

Use controlled cuts and avoid taking sections that are too large or dense for the shear.

Fluffers and erasers

High-performance finishing and texturizing shears may use specialized tooth geometry and higher cutting rates. Their teeth and tips require precise clearance, making them particularly sensitive to side pressure and alignment changes.

If these shears repeatedly catch near the tip, stop using them rather than trying to force the teeth past the blade.

Magic Tip shears

For shears with a tooth-free precision tip, inspect both the toothed cutting area and the smooth tip area separately. Note whether the catch occurs:

Within the toothed section
At the transition between the toothed section and the precision tip
Only at the very end of the tip

This information is helpful when requesting support because each location may point to a different cause.

10. How to Prevent Grooming Shears from Catching

Prepare the coat completely

Before scissoring, the coat should be clean, completely dry, and fully combed through. Knots, damp areas, loose undercoat, dirt, and product buildup increase resistance and make the shears work harder.

Use light, controlled thumb movement

The thumb should operate the moving handle without pushing strongly downward or sideways. Side pressure can increase blade-to-blade friction and may be especially problematic with curved and toothed shears.

Use the tip of the thumb rather than inserting the thumb deeply into the ring. Correctly fitted finger inserts can improve stability and control.

Do not overload the blades

Take smaller sections when working through dense, curly, double, or heavily textured coats. The shears should cut the coat rather than being forced through it.

Clean after use

Wipe away hair, moisture, and residue after every grooming session. Professional groomers using their tools throughout the day should inspect and clean them regularly rather than waiting until resistance develops.

Oil the pivot regularly

Apply a small drop of professional shear oil around the pivot after cleaning, at the end of a busy workday, or whenever the movement begins to feel dry. Wipe away all excess oil.

Check tension periodically

Tension can gradually change through regular use. Make small corrections only when needed, and avoid treating tension adjustment as a solution for every cutting problem.

Protect the shears from impact

Store each pair fully closed in a protective case or dedicated compartment. Do not leave grooming shears loose in a drawer, tool bag, or workstation where the blades can contact combs, clippers, nail tools, or other shears.

Never try to catch falling shears

Trying to catch sharp shears can cause serious injury. Move your hands and feet away and allow the tool to fall. After any drop, do not immediately resume grooming. Inspect the shears and check their movement carefully away from the pet.

Use the shears only for their intended purpose

Professional grooming shears are designed for prepared pet coat. Do not use them to cut paper, packaging, plastic, fabric, string, wire, dirty mats, or other materials.

Use professional servicing

Have the shears inspected and sharpened by a technician experienced with professional grooming shears and the specific blade type. Convex edges, curved blades, and toothed shears require appropriate equipment and techniques.

Service should be based on performance, usage, coat types, and condition rather than waiting until the shears become extremely dull or difficult to operate.

11. What Not to Do

Do not force caught shears closed.
Do not repeatedly open and close through a fixed catch.
Do not use pliers or tools to bend a tooth back into position.
Do not file, grind, polish, or sharpen the blades at home.
Do not separate or disassemble the blades unless instructed by a qualified technician.
Do not make several full rotations of the tension screw.
Do not assume that loosening the tension will repair alignment.
Do not test precision grooming shears on paper.
Do not continue grooming after a drop without inspecting the shears.
Do not use a harsh cleaner that may damage the finish or leave residue.
Do not immerse the shears in liquid or leave moisture around the pivot.
Do not store the shears while open, wet, or in contact with other metal tools.

12. When Professional Help Is Needed

Stop using the shears and contact EliteTrim Customer Care or a qualified professional shear technician when:

The same blade position catches repeatedly.
A tooth contacts the opposite blade.
The shears were dropped or struck against another object.
You can see a chip, dent, bent tooth, raised edge, or uneven tip.
Cleaning and lubrication do not improve general stiffness.
A small tension adjustment does not resolve folding or resistance.
The shears make a grinding, scraping, or clicking sound.
The pivot assembly feels loose, unstable, or damaged.
The problem began after sharpening, repair, adjustment, or disassembly.
The shears cannot be closed gently and safely.

Continuing to use a mechanically damaged shear may increase the amount of repair required. Early inspection is generally safer than attempting repeated adjustments.

13. How to Record a Useful Support Video

A clear video helps the support team distinguish between a coat-preparation issue, tension problem, obstruction, and mechanical catch.

Please include the following:

Show the entire pair of shears. Include the handles, pivot, blades, teeth, and tips.
Record under bright lighting. Keep the camera close enough to show the blade contact area clearly.
Show the shears fully closed. Record the alignment of both blade tips.
Open and close the shears slowly. Do this only if the movement can be completed without force.
Record from both sides. One front view and one side view are helpful.
Show the exact catching point. Do not force the blades beyond it.
Show the pivot and tension dial. Include the current screw position.
For toothed shears, show the teeth closely. Record whether a specific tooth touches the opposite blade.
Include a coat test when safe. Use a small section of clean, dry, fully combed coat.

Please also tell us:

Your order number
The name or model of the shears
When the issue first appeared
Whether the shears were dropped or struck
Whether the tension was adjusted
Whether the shears were sharpened, repaired, or disassembled
Whether the catch occurs in the air, in the coat, or both
Whether it occurs at the same position every time

Please do not perform a paper test. A slow movement demonstration and a test on clean, dry, fully combed coat provide more useful information for grooming-shear assessment.

14. Frequently Asked Questions

Can oil fix shears that are catching?

Oil may resolve dryness or light resistance around the pivot. It will not repair a bent tooth, damaged cutting edge, blade misalignment, or a fixed mechanical catch. If the shears stop at the same position every time, do not keep cycling them after oiling.

Should I loosen the tension when the blades lock?

Not automatically. Uniform stiffness may indicate excessive tension, but a fixed catch can indicate tooth contact or blade damage. Clean and oil the shears first. Adjust tension only in very small increments and only when the blades can complete their full movement without a fixed obstruction.

Why do my shears work in the air but not in the coat?

Check that the coat is clean, fully dry, and completely combed through. Reduce the amount of hair taken in each cut. If the shears still fold or pull prepared coat, the tension may be too loose or the cutting edges may require professional servicing.

Why are chunkers and thinners more likely to lock?

Each tooth must pass the opposite cutting blade with precise clearance. Side pressure, excessive tension, debris, tooth damage, or alignment changes can interfere with this movement. Never force a toothed shear through a catch.

Can I straighten a bent tooth myself?

No. Attempting to bend or straighten a tooth can cause it to break or create additional contact points. Stop using the shears and arrange professional inspection.

Can I sharpen grooming shears at home?

DIY sharpening is not recommended. Professional grooming shears may use convex edges, curved blades, specialized interior surfaces, and precise tooth geometry. Incorrect sharpening can permanently change how the blades contact each other.

Should new grooming shears require a break-in period?

New shears may feel different from a familiar pair, but they should still open and close smoothly without locking, grinding, or requiring force. A repeated fixed catch should not be treated as normal break-in.

What should I do after dropping my shears?

Do not resume cutting immediately. Close the shears gently if possible, inspect the tips, blades, teeth, handles, and pivot, and perform only a slow movement check away from the pet. If there is any fixed catch, unusual sound, visible damage, or changed alignment, stop using them and request professional inspection.

How often should grooming shears be serviced?

There is no single schedule that suits every groomer. Service needs depend on frequency of use, coat types, maintenance, handling, storage, and cutting performance. Arrange servicing when the shears begin pulling or folding properly prepared coat, lose cutting consistency, or develop a mechanical issue.

Final Checklist

Stop immediately when the blades catch.
Move away from the pet before troubleshooting.
Never force the handles closed.
Identify whether the resistance is uniform or occurs at one fixed point.
Inspect for hair, residue, tooth contact, and visible damage.
Clean and apply one small drop of shear oil.
Adjust tension only in small increments.
Test on clean, dry, fully combed coat—not paper.
Stop using dropped, damaged, grinding, or repeatedly locking shears.
Send a clear video to customer support when the cause remains uncertain.

Need Help with Your EliteTrim Shears?

If your EliteTrim grooming shears continue to catch after safe cleaning, lubrication, and a small tension check, please stop using them and contact our Customer Care team.

Include your order number, shear model, a description of when the problem began, and a clear video following the instructions above.

Email: email@elitetrimgrooming.com

Our team will review the information and help determine the most appropriate next step.