Your beard could be a work of art.
But if you want it to be a Da Vinci or Van Gogh, then you need the right tools.
And, in this case, the right tool means a beard trimmer.
But we’re not just talking about your grandfather's beard trimmer you found in the attic. We’re talking about a properly maintained beard trimmer.
Let’s face it, Da Vinci didn’t paint the Mona Lisa with any paintbrush he found laying around. He painted it with tools that were well taken care of.
That means, if you want a masterpiece of a beard, you need to treat your beard trimmer right – by regularly oiling it.
Lucky for you, this article is going to cover exactly that.
What is a Beard Trimmer?
So, what exactly is a beard trimmer?
Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
A beard trimmer is similar to hair clippers – except with smaller blades and teeth. This minor adjustment makes it ideal for cutting your facial hair – whether it’s your mustache or beard.
If you don’t currently have a beard trimmer, there’s no need to worry. You can pick up this budget-friendly and well-reviewed option.
Benefits of Oiling Your Beard Trimmer
You’ve got your beard trimmer, and you’re ready to go.
But, after some time, you might notice some general trouble with your beard trimmer.
Even if it’s problem-free, oiling your beard trimmer will help maintain it.
Here are some more benefits:
Increases Trimmer Lifespan
As we said, while oiling your beard trimmer can solve common problems, it can also increase its overall lifespan.
It’s pretty simple to understand. Beard trimmer oil helps lubricate each individual clipper blade – keeping them rust-free. It can also help prevent hair buildup around the blades and inside the trimmer itself.
Who doesn’t want their tools to last a lifetime? Not only will you save money, but you’ll finally be “that hipster” using vintage tools.
Stops Overheating
If your beard trimmer is overheating or making loud, unnerving sounds, it’s time to oil it.
Most likely, the reason your beard trimmer is overheating is that there are tiny pieces of hair stuck behind the blades.
Luckily, a little bit of oil and you’re good again.
Decreases Pulling & Snagging On Your Beard
There you are, trimming your beard. All of a sudden you feel a sharp pain.
That’s right, you’ve pulled out a hair from your beard.
If this is a regular occurrence for you, it’s probably another sign that you need to oil your beard trimmer.
Think about it – if your beard trimmer is well-lubricated, it’s bound to yank, pull, and snag a lot less than a dry beard trimmer.
However, if you’ve recently oiled your beard trimmer, you might need a new blade – as dull blades can also cause snagging or yanking.
What You'll Need
Before you go ahead on your oily journey, you need to know what you need.
Lucky for you, there are only two things:
Beard Trimmer
For starters, you need a beard trimmer (ok, duh).
The best part is that any beard trimmer works. if you’re using a higher-end model, like a Manscaped product, it might not even need oil.
However, if you’re not lucky enough to be using a fancy beard trimmer, you’ll need oil.
This brings us to the second item on this list.
Hair Clipper Oil
The other thing you’ll need is oil.
But we’re not talking about the vegetable oil you’re using to grease your pans.
We’re talking about high-quality oils specifically made for hair and beard trimmers.
But, don’t worry, just because they’re unique to beard trimmers doesn’t mean you’ll need to spend an arm and leg on it. And, in the long run, beard oil is a lot cheaper than a brand-new beard trimmer.
The creme de la creme of hair clipper oil is Wahl’s Premium Lubricating Oil (also called Wahl Clipper Oil). It’s affordable, high-quality, and will last for years.
So, do yourself a favor and go pick some up.
How to Oil a Beard Trimmer
Now it’s what you’ve been waiting for.
It’s officially time to cover how to oil a beard trimmer.
We’ve covered the entire process in five simple steps.
Now let’s get to it.
1. Unplug The Trimmer
You might think it’s obvious, but you can never be too careful.
Seriously, always start any maintenance by unplugging your beard trimmer.
If your beard trimmer doesn’t have a cord, make sure you take it off the charger.
Once that’s done, you can start the real process of oiling your trimmer.
2. Take Apart the Trimmer
You’ll want to start by taking apart your trimmer.
Usually, this means taking off any guards so you can have complete access to the blades.
If your blades look particularly dirty (or hairy), use a brush to clean them off. You can even use a beard brush to do so!
3. Locate The Blades
Next, find the trimmer blades.
This should be easy, as the clipper blades are the metal pieces that you trim your beard with.
4. Put A Few Drops Of Oil On The Blades
Once you’ve found the blades, it’s time to apply the oil.
To do so, add four to five drops of oil between the blades.
We recommend turning the trimmer on for a few seconds after applying the oil so it can completely lubricate itself.
Now that you’ve successfully oiled your trimmer, it’s time to put it back together.
5. Reassemble The Trimmer
Reassembling your trimmer should be as simple as taking it apart.
All you need to do is reattach the guard.
If you’re unsure how to do this, the instructions should be in the manual for your specific trimmer.
Don’t worry, though, if you’ve lost your manual, we’ve got you covered: here’s how to use a beard trimmer.
Tips to keep your trimmer in top shape
So, what else do you need to know? Or is that everything?
Well, we do have two tips for the best possible maintenance of your trimmer.
Oil The Trimmer After Every 2-3 Uses
You should oil your trimmer every two or three uses.
While you can get away with doing it less, sticking to this routine will keep your trimmer in tip-top shape.
For some people with longer beards, two or three uses may only be once a month. That’s perfectly fine – it all depends on the style of your beard.
Use A High-Quality Oil
As we mentioned, you shouldn’t be using any old oil you can find in your house.
Hair clipper oils will work the best and provide the longest-lasting results.
That being said, you can use mineral oil if you have it onhand.
Conclusion
So, now you’re up to date on how to oil your beard trimmer.
You’ll be thankful in the long run for performing this quick and easy maintenance on your trimmer.
Seriously, save the $50 bucks for a new trimmer and spend it on some product.
Speaking of beard products, it’s the perfect time for a shameless plug.
Here at Mission Beard, we sell all types of high-quality beard products. So no matter if you’re looking for beard oil, a beard brush, or beard balm, we’ve got you covered. Not to mention, we have a wide collection of articles just like this one.