Heiniger Opal Cordless Shaver

Oil the blade set regularly while you clip, not only afterwards. A blade set running dry gets hot, clips less easily and goes blunt sooner. Put the machine down for a moment every few minutes, brush the hairs out from between the teeth and put a few drops of clipper oil on the teeth. After the job, brush the blade set clean again and store it lightly oiled.

Clip a dry, brushed coat if you can: sand, mud and dried sweat wear the cutting edges down far faster than hair alone. If your blade sets do go blunt, you can have them sharpened at Maddelin. Separate Heiniger snap-on blade sets are available in the range as well, so you can change cutting height without buying a second machine.

The Opal suits riders, yard managers and groomers who often work in different places and do not want to depend on a socket or an extension lead. Its low weight and quiet running make it pleasant for longer detail work and for animals that are startled by a loud machine. You choose between a version with one or with two batteries; with a second battery you keep working while the first one charges.

If you mainly have large surfaces to do and clip whole horses, the Heiniger Saphir Horse with its wide horse blade set and two batteries is the more logical choice. If you always work at the same yard with power nearby, a mains-powered clipper such as the Heiniger Onyx is more interesting, because then you never have to wait for a battery.

Switch the clipper on with the switch on the housing. Speed 1 (2600 double strokes per minute) is for fine work and sensitive animals, speed 2 (3100) for thick or dirty coats. A full battery gives up to 240 minutes; the charge indicator shows what is left, and charging takes about 60 minutes.

Stop every few minutes, brush the hairs away and oil the teeth. After work, store the blade set brushed out and lightly oiled.

Which blades or blade sets fit this clipper?
The Opal works with Heiniger snap-on blade sets. Those blade sets are interchangeable with the Heiniger Saphir. Common sizes include 10 at 1.5 mm, 15 at 1.2 mm, 30 at 0.5 mm, 40 at 0.25 mm, 7 at 3.2 mm and 5 at 6.3 mm. There are also wide versions with a W in the name, which give a wider cutting swathe. If you are unsure about a blade set, ask us before you order.

How long can I clip on a full battery?
Up to 240 minutes, according to Heiniger without the machine giving up power towards the end.

How long does charging take?
About 60 minutes for a completely empty battery.

What is the difference between the version with one and with two batteries?
Only the number of batteries. With a second battery you can keep working while the first one is charging, which is handy if you do several animals one after the other.

What are the two speeds for?
Setting 1 at 2600 double strokes per minute is the calm setting for detail work and sensitive animals. Setting 2 at 3100 double strokes per minute is the one you use in a thick or dirty coat, where you need more drive to get through.

Can I clip dogs or cattle with it as well?
Yes. Heiniger lists the Opal for trimming and styling work on dogs and for clipping horses and cattle.

What does snap-on mean?
That you click the complete blade set onto the machine as one piece and take it off again the same way, without tools. With a screw-on blade system you have to screw on and align a separate top and bottom blade instead.

How do I maintain the machine?
Brush the blade set clean after every use, oil the teeth regularly during and after clipping and store the machine dry. Have blunt blade sets sharpened in good time rather than working on with them.

• Cordless Heiniger clipper, small, light and quiet
• Up to 240 minutes of clipping time, charging time about 60 minutes
• Two speeds: 2600 and 3100 double strokes per minute
• Charge level indicator in the battery
• Works with Heiniger snap-on blade sets, interchangeable with the Saphir
• Original Heiniger snap-on blade set in steel included
• Suitable for horses, cattle and trimming work on dogs
• Available with one or with two batteries, in blue