How to Safely Post Blades for Sharpening

Mail-in sharpening is the standard service model for professional blade care across Australia. It works because Australia Post is reliable, the workshop turnaround is fast, and Express Post brings even regional and remote customers within a week of sharpening service. But every step depends on one thing: your gear arriving safely and being packed in a way that lets us get it out, sharpen it, and pack it back.

This guide covers exactly how to package clipper blades, scissors, knives, and shearing gear for postal sharpening. It also covers the postage method choices, what we provide on the return leg, and the most common packaging mistakes we see at the workshop.

The two goals of packaging

Your packaging needs to achieve two things, in this order:

1. Protect postal workers from sharp edges. Australia Post handles many thousands of parcels per day. Items with exposed cutting edges can injure people during sorting and delivery. There's no excuse for sending sharp items in a way that risks this
2. Protect your gear from transit damage. Australia Post is reliable, but parcels are stacked, dropped, and bumped during sorting. Quality packaging keeps your blades from being damaged before they reach the workshop

Get both right and the entire mail-in process is smooth.

Clipper blades

Clipper blades are the easiest items to package because the cutting surface is partially enclosed by the comb design.

Best approach: original case

If you still have the plastic case the blade came in, use it. The case is designed for this exact purpose. Slot the blade in, snap it shut, and that's most of your packaging done. We see most professional brands' cases regularly and they all work well.

Without the original case

If you've lost the original cases (which is normal for a working salon), wrap each blade individually:

• Use a piece of corrugated cardboard slightly larger than the blade
• Place the blade flat on the cardboard, fold the cardboard over the cutting surface
• Tape it closed so the blade can't slide out (any direction)
• Repeat for each blade; don't bundle multiple blades into one wrap

Bubble wrap works as backup but isn't ideal because it doesn't fully prevent the blade from cutting through if dropped on a corner.

Packing the box

• For small orders (1-5 blades), a padded mailer is acceptable; for larger orders, use a small cardboard box
• Pack the wrapped blades flat, not standing on edge
• Fill empty space with crumpled newsprint or bubble wrap so blades can't shift in transit
• Use a sticker or marker on the outside if your postal service requires it: "Fragile" or "Sharp items"

Brand-specific notes

• 5-in-1 adjustables: set the blade to its longest setting before packing (protects the cutter mechanism)
• Wahl Magic Clip / Senior: these have wider cutting surfaces; use larger cardboard sheets
• T-blades and outliners: these have narrower, sharper points; wrap the tip extra carefully

Scissors and shears

Scissors are the most easily damaged item in transit because the long, narrow blades concentrate force on small areas. They can puncture soft packaging easily.

Pre-packing

• Close the blades fully
• Secure the closed blades with a rubber band looped around the bow (where the finger holes are) and the tips
• If you have leather or plastic blade guards, slide them over the closed blades
• If you don't have guards, wrap the blade tips in cardboard or several layers of bubble wrap

The container

• Use a rigid container, not a soft mailer. Scissors can puncture padded envelopes from the inside, exposing the blades to postal workers
• A small cardboard box is ideal. The original scissor case (if you still have it) is also excellent
• For premium scissors, consider an extra layer of bubble wrap inside the box
• Don't pack multiple scissors loose in one box; they can damage each other. Wrap each pair individually

Convex scissor extra care

Premium convex (Japanese-style) scissors deserve extra care. The cutting edge is more delicate than beveled scissors, and a single drop or chip can require expensive restoration. For valuable convex shears:

• Always use a rigid container with at least 2cm of padding around all sides
• Use Express Post or Registered Post for tracking and faster handling
• Insure the parcel if your postal service offers it
• Photograph the scissor before posting for your records (especially if there are existing marks you want noted)

Knives

Knives are the most safety-critical items to package. The cutting edge runs the full length of the blade, and a poorly packaged knife can easily puncture packaging in transit.

Wrapping the blade

• Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard slightly longer than the blade
• Fold the cardboard around the cutting edge so it covers both sides of the blade
• Tape the cardboard closed along the spine of the knife (not along the edge)
• Add an extra layer of cardboard or bubble wrap if the cardboard is thin

The container

• Use a sturdy box, not a soft mailer or padded envelope
• The box should be substantially longer than the knife; small movement is fine, but the knife shouldn't be able to slide far
• Fill empty space with newsprint or bubble wrap
• Mark the package "Sharp Items" if required by your postal service

Multiple knives

Restaurant chefs often send 6 to 12 knives in one batch. The principle is the same: each knife wrapped individually in cardboard along the edge, all wrapped knives laid flat in a box, padding around them. Don't bundle multiple knives together in one wrap; they can knock against each other and chip edges in transit.

Shearing gear

Shearing combs and cutters are often the highest-volume sharpening orders we receive. The packaging principle is similar to clipper blades but with extra attention to keeping combs and cutters separated.

Combs and cutters

• Separate combs from cutters in transit. They can damage each other if loose together
• Pack combs flat in their original boxes if you have them, or wrap groups in newsprint and lay flat
• Stack cutters in their original cases or wrap individually
• For bulk orders of 50+ items, multiple wraps within one large box is fine

Handpieces and downtubes

If you're sending complete handpieces or downtubes for service alongside sharpening, package them separately:

• Wrap the handpiece body in bubble wrap
• Coil the downtube loosely (not tight) and wrap
• Use a larger box that accommodates both alongside any combs and cutters
• Note clearly inside the package what work you'd like done on each item

For more on shearing gear preparation, see our pre-season checklist.

What to include inside the package

Always include a note inside the package with:

• Your full name
• Your phone number (for any questions about the work)
• Your postal address (for the return leg)
• Your email (for the invoice and confirmation)
• A list of what you're sending (blade types, count, any specific notes)
• Any specific work requests (chip repair, tip restoration, etc.)

If you've already placed an order online, including the order number speeds up matching the parcel to the order. If you haven't ordered online, the note inside the package is what we work from.

Cheap freight on the inbound is false economy when valuable gear is at stake.

Choosing a postage method

Australia Post offers several options for sending sharp items. Here's how to think about it:

Standard parcel post

Cheapest option, no tracking. Suitable for orders under $200 in value where speed isn't critical. Typical delivery from major cities to Gunning NSW: 3 to 7 business days.

Express Post

Tracked, faster delivery. Typical delivery from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane: 1 to 2 business days. Worth the extra cost for higher-value gear or when you're racing season deadlines. Most professional users default to Express Post.

Registered Post

Tracked, signed delivery. Suitable for premium items where loss would be expensive (set of $1500 Mizutani scissors, full chef's roll). Costs more than Express but provides the strongest tracking and signature on receipt.

Insurance

Australia Post offers parcel insurance for a small additional fee. Worth considering for high-value items. Read the conditions carefully; some items have specific exclusions.

What we provide on the return leg

For all orders over $100, return shipping is free via Express Post. This is included in the price; you don't need to organise or pay for return postage.

The return parcel is:

• Express Post tracked, with tracking number provided by email when we ship
• Packaged carefully with the same standards as we recommend for inbound (cardboard wraps, rigid container, padding)
• Sent the same day the work completes, when feasible

If you're shipping to us with a high-value item, we recommend matching that with Express Post or Registered Post on the way in. Cheap freight on the inbound is false economy when valuable gear is at stake.

Common packaging mistakes we see

The mistakes that most often cause problems at the workshop:

• Soft mailers for scissors or knives. The blades puncture from the inside, exposing edges to postal workers. We have received parcels in genuinely concerning condition because of this
• No identification inside. A bare bag of unmarked blades is hard to match to an order. Always include a note with your name and contact
• Multiple blades wrapped together. Blades knock against each other in transit and can damage each other before reaching us
• Over-tight packing. If everything is wedged in so tightly we can barely get it out, the parcel was overpacked. Snug is good. Crammed is bad
• Heavy items on top of blades. Don't pack a sharpening stone on top of your scissors
• Damp or oily items. Blades should be wiped clean and dry before packing. Lanolin and oil can transfer to the cardboard wrapping and cause it to fail

The bottom line

Wrap each blade or scissor individually in cardboard. Use a rigid container, not a soft mailer for sharps. Include your name, phone, and a list of contents inside. Use Express Post for valuable items. Mark the parcel "Sharp items" if your postal service requires it.

Done well, your gear arrives in the same condition you sent it. We sharpen it. We Express Post it back to you (free over $100). The whole loop takes about a week.

Once your gear is packed, place your order online for instant pricing or get in touch if you have questions about packaging or shipping. The full how-it-works guide walks you through the whole process from posting to return.