Japanese Grooming Knife

Japanese stripping knives – Miki style

Excellent-quality steel.

Ergonomic, non-slip handle to reduce hand fatigue.

The range of models allows you to choose the blade best suited to your dog’s coat characteristics.

Stripping knives are used for dogs with wiry coats, such as many terriers, and help improve their appearance to achieve their breed’s “look”.

Make sure your dog’s coat can be hand-stripped (that is, it has not previously been clipped, which can soften and/or thicken the coat). If in doubt, seek advice from a qualified groomer.

For best results, strip before bathing, unless you use Special One Keratine pro shampoo. This is the only shampoo that allows proper post-bath stripping.

Using a grooming chalk block on the area to be stripped can also help you get a better grip.

Follow our 6 easy steps for stripping:

Before using a stripping knife, make sure your pet is comfortable and accustomed to being groomed.

Remove any tangles or mats by grooming the coat first.
Begin by holding the stripping knife with the smooth side of the blade facing you.
Place your hand on the dog near the area to be stripped and hold the skin taut while stripping—this will make the procedure more comfortable for your pet.
Following the direction of the dog’s coat, use the stripping knife to trap the hairs between the teeth. Hold the hair in place with your thumb and gently pull in the direction of hair growth to remove it. Use a pulling movement from your arm and shoulder, not your wrist.
If you bend your wrist, you will cut the hairs instead of pulling them with the knife. Compare the hairs removed by hand-stripping with those removed by knife-stripping. When you strip, the hair is uneven in length. When you cut, the hairs will be the same length, which is undesirable because it can damage your dog’s coat.
Remember to work on a small area at a time until all the outer coat has been removed and a rolled coat has been achieved. Note: if you hand-strip your dog regularly (every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the breed), you will achieve what is known as a “rolling coat”, in which the hairs interlock and the coat becomes flatter and more even. Irregular stripping (say, once every 6 months) will make the hair “pop”, causing it to become longer and more open (with an uneven appearance).

If you have any doubts about the procedure, seek advice or assistance from a qualified dog groomer or a show-dog breeder.