All posts by Arthur Frankland

Monday 6 June 2016-visit to Clippadog- Thornton-Cleveleys

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This is Adrian Hollingsworth’s company. He has a great team of dedicated groomers: Judith, Jake & Amanda.  Possibly the busiest  groomers I have ever worked in- doing up to twelve dogs per day ( many more around Christmas). They all work long hours with an obvious passion for the dogs  ……….as well as their own dogs !

Today I sharpened and serviced fifteen clipper blade sets and roughly the same number of cutting and thinning scissors.

Always the same “bonheur” (pleasant time) at Adrian’s salon- and as the temperature was hovering around 29 degrees – both Jake and Amanda brewed up great tea every 3/4 hour. Adrian also buys both Scissors and clippers from Arthur when new ones are needed.

He loves his dogs- one day I might hear this businessman playing his guitar. He knows full well though, if he does play then I will be obliged to play my accordion. Happy Clippadog- happy Arthur ! Why in heavens name should I retire ?!?

 

 

 

 

 

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With my French Distributor-delivering Scissor grinders and spare parts

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I work exclusively in France with Monsieur LEPOUTRE Bernard his company is FCTV where we train “Stagiares” (apprentices) how to sharpen, grind and polish Professional Scissors, all kinds of knives and Dog/Horse/Barbers etc clippers. In this School of Sharpening Monsieur Lepoutre has various classrooms for the different learning processes. …..Knives, Scissors and Clippers. He also buys high quality Hairdressers Scissors and Dog Grooming scissors from my company (FGP of Accrington, Lancashire).

Bernard is completely smitten by our AF/CAN Clipper Honer- many of his and my customers have seen other models but THEY say this is   the best clipper Honer in the world today. I believe they are right!

Visit by Steven Eckelman-Dog Groomer’s Husband from Antwerp, Belgium- Learning how to sharpen Scissors,Clippers & Knives

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Steven’s visit was an absolute pleasure. He was a Flemish language speaker but had a good grasp of the English language. He spent two days with me learning how to sharpen/service clippers ( especially dog clippers) , professional hairdressers and barbers scissors and knives. Besides his training he purchased many accessories for such things as my Clipper pressure test gauge, the polishing wheel that most of my customers prefer (as well as myself) special scissor stoppers and scissor rings- various colours. Steven was given a 36 questionnaire at the end of his training – which he promised to complete and return to me. I may possibly visit him and his wife Jessica and daughter Yolanda in the forthcoming months.

Sales & Sharpening Scissors and Hairdressers Clippers at The Salon ,by Natalie ,Tottington

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Today I was called out by Natalie and her team-Yasmin and the apprentice Darby.  I sharpened their Titanium Scissors and their Wahl clippers. These were subsequently tested on me ! Everyone was happy with the new sharp results. Natalie is left handed and said she would probably buy some new “lefties” on my next visit.

Yasmin needed a new scissor immediately, She examined three presentation cases of scissors and chose a 5 1/2″ Japanese Cobalt Scissor – I suggested she should test them to see if they were perfect for her. She did so, we agreed a superb price for her and she purchased them. Happy Yasmin. Maybe I should add “good luck with the baby when he/she arrives !”

Young Darby said she needs a new scissor , I said I would supply her with one at a price an apprentice could afford.

Sharpening Scissors/Clippers for two companies at Mucky Pups (Gleaston Cumbria) and Classic Canine Cuts

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Great day today : Beth Cresswell  at her brand new Salon built by her Father Paul and Zoé Byers of Classic Canine Cuts, Ulverston needed all their grooming tools sharpening. Was their a few hours whilst Beth brought me cups of tea, then coffee and biscuits. At lunch time she provided me with delicious chicken salad sandwiches etc  Well fed and watered then Beth ordered some new Super close cut Pink clippers. She had not seen these before but I know  they do clip a dog or a cat close and accurately.

In the meantime Beth (short for Bethany) was kept non stop busy with one breed of dog after another. I confess I do admire this young woman for her professional , industrious attitude to her work. She asked me to bring some curved scissors + special high quality clipper oil on my next visit.

More Sharpening at The Dog Room-Manchester

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Wow ! Alison and Jasmine (her assistant) must be grooming a lot of dogs!  Got called back, after a visit only a few weeks ago to lots of “7’s” blades etc Got my usual strong, sweet coffee as I entered ! Quickly stripped the blades , cleaned them, sharpened them on my AF/CAN expert , always reliable Honing Machine, cleaned and oiled them. Then the tricky bit- correct alignment and assembly. Every blade set was tested by Alison 10/10 was her appraisal. Packed my tools and machine away and guess what ? Alison carried my machine (22kgs) to my vehicle.

Another job done for which I am proud. Am a meticulous worker. Groomers keep coming back !

Paws Galore Dog Grooming-Cumbria. Servicing her tools.

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Just returning home from Ireland and Scotland, Mrs Sue Biggs needed her Clippers & Professional Scissors sharpened,balanced and serviced.

I arrived at their “paradise ” home and met Sue and Andrew her husband. Sharpened all her Andis clippers, straight and curved scissors + her thinning scissors. Sue is also a mobile hairdresser.

Job well done ; another happy customer, was paid and went on my way.

Sue said she’d call me in 2/3 months when she would need me.

Visit to Saw & Tool Sharpening-Tralee-Co Kerry , Ireland

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This was my annual, or bi-annual visit to Ireland.

Michael Lynch runs this grinding/sharpening business. He has been there for many years with his wife & family. He is a good man with a big Irish heart.I believe his speciality is mostly woodworking tools. Michael would not mind me saying that he bought most of his machines from my company. (FGP U.K.) I am lucky enough to supply him with most of his spare parts , grinding wheels, polishing wheels, diamond dressers and files etc. On this occasion I gave Michaelsome specialised training o another tool not used in woodworking. I also watched with interest his own particular way of sharpening carpenters chisels to achieve fantastic results.  Michael, as usual organised my b & b at Saint Martins guesthouse where I have stayed before, again the usual wonderful Irish hospitality.

I returned to Michael’s workshop on the morrow and Michael added to his order, needing more Diamond grinding wheels and files for tenon saws. We said our goodbye’s after during some coffee together and saying au revoir to “Michaels’ Mountains! ”

One more happy customer/friend and one happy Englishman !

Arthur in the Irish Republic-Machine Sales +Spare parts.

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For some ten to twelve days Arthur of F.G.P. Is visiting many grinding shops in the twenty six counties. Most of the visits are to existing customs such as “Keen Edge” of Tullamore, County Offaly, Sharpen Up in Waterford, Michael Lynch in Tralee County Kerry and John Neff in Kevin Street Cork etc etc

These companies need regular supplies of various grit sizes of honing powder, grinding and polishing wheels, files, diamond dressers etc The list is endless. Most grinding shops have bought sharpening machines from Arthur for Saw Blades, Professional Scissors, Clippers and Knives.

 

Much of the time Arthur is invited to stay in the homes of these customers.

m20 Salon – Didsbury, Manchester-Sharpen Scissors, Repair Clippers

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Today I met Michelle Carter- the Manager- last time I met Michelle was in Naples, Italy. She is a lovely, vibrant person & very hospitable. Later I met Ales Worthington- Senior Stylist, Then I sharpened and serviced all their very professional, expensive scissors and their clippers. I also met Maria Escudero, a young and pretty Spanish lady and also Lee Buckley.

I did quite a lot of work for them all and as usual  INSISTED THEY ALL TEST THEIR SCISSORS BEFORE I LEFT as I would not be in their area for at least four weeks. They all accepted my advice as they had clients there and my head of hair was available to !

Then Michelle treated me to a second cup of excellent coffee and some Swiss roll, just the ticket.  Later I met Amber who bought some new Gold Titanium scissors….. Can I say this, at a super price.🌞

So all in all a very satisfactory visit….. Lovely kind, warm and sincere people. Next time I visit this area I will make it my way to see Morgan Andrew Rigby-Hair Stylist “extraordinaire” and an old friend and customer.