The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Ok I will admit it..I am directionally challenged and I need a video on how to correctly use a Carding knife. I would love to get one but am afraid I would hurt my pups if I used it incorrectly so until I find out how to use one and not hurt them its a shaved back for them.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! I want the best for my furkids but dont want to hurt them in the process.

Check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eIpKu6d ... ata_player

I'd get the Mars King Coat, if you don't have it, and be done. The knives are nice, but IMO not necessary. Maybe for a show dog?

I have both the mars coat king and the greyhound knives. I almost never use my mars coat king as it doesn't seem to get much hair out wet or dry. My knives however I couldn't live without and have a natural back. I guess it's all in what works for you and you pup.

I just got my Greyhound carding knife today, and so far I love it and so does Gromit. It seemed to pull a LOT of fluff off her back, and must feel really good to Gromit because she just sat there totally relaxed. I'm not sure when "enough is enough" but after the fluff pile reached about the size of a tennis ball I figured that was enough for now, lol!

Which knife do you have? I have found them not to be worth it. I've never pulled much with mine. Maybe I need something different?

Hi Debbie,

I have both the medium and the fine. I start with the medium then when I'm not getting very much out switch to the fine for the final go over. I love them, but I know Julie Hydro was not a big fan either, so I guess it just depends on what works for you.

I have both the classic's (Course & Fine) and the Greyhounds (3 sizes) and to me they all work about the same. The greyhounds have a nice handle that is more designed to fit to a persons hand but I think they work the same as the classics. (At least they do for me)
The trick with both of them is to get the correct angle. I love the classic knives and actually use them the most. I only use the Mars coat king in the tub with shampoo on the back and that is only occasionally.
I think everyone when first learning to strip the back does not get much of the undercoat but again its due to the angle you are holding the knives. Once you figure out the angle you would be surprised how much undercoat you can remove.

Debbie,
I got the Greyhound medium carding knife. According to the "how to" video, the proper angle is easily found by leaning the knife back against the curved wood stop on the back of it. I've only recently started trying to grow out Gromit's back ( a few months), so we have a long way to go yet. And although I've been totally impressed with the Mars Coat King, I think because Gromit's back is not very long yet that the carding knife is doing a better job of getting at the fluffy undercoat.

Thanks Darra. I have the greyhound fine (I think fine) but never get much out with it. Maybe that's because I use the Mars pretty heavily?

I did a little video on this today. I'll post it in the next few days.

Oh Julie, I can't wait to see it! I've learned so much from your videos. I'm just not really sure how far down to go, and when "enough is enough". And I've been calling Gromit my "card shark" because every night as soon as I sit down on the couch she sits down in front of me with her back toward me...waiting impaitently for me to sit down on the floor and use either the Mars Coat King or the Greyhound carding knife on her back. It must feel really good, as she gets very impatient with me if I don't get right down on the floor. I've heard of the tail wagging the dog, but this is the nubbie wagging the human