Professional Hair Clippers

[Triforceofcourage]

I'm looking to purchase a high quality professional hair clipper to cut my own hair. Cost is not an issue so can you recommend the best model you are aware of? I'm tired of paying $20 every few weeks to the barber.

 

[LTC8K6]

Wahl is what I buy. No complaints.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I use the New Oster Classic 76 Limited Edition Hair combo clipper SILVER!!

 

[waggy]

I spent $59 on some stahl like 5 years ago. I do both mine and my sons hair every other week.

They have been great.

edit: oh i should mention while i spent $59 it also came with a really nice beard trimmer.

you don't need to spend $100-200 for a "pro" set. those are for doing hair everyday in a barber shop setting. a good set is all you need

 

[cbrunny]

My wife did mine last night with something we got at Walmart. Not sure what qualifies as "pro" but we spent ~$40. You probably don't need true "pro" clippers. The $50 price range should have some bang for buck.

 

[emperus]

Oster 76's

Pricey, but well worth it. I cut my own hair (barber is too much of a time investment). Anything under 50 probably isn't worth the investment esp. if you have screaming kids. I recommended it to my friend for his sons' hair and he still still thinks it's one of his best purchases. Because of the motor, he shaves so much time off when cutting screaming/agitated kids.

And for the line up. I have one of each, but the outliner in a regular (not T-blade)

These:

Oster Stylliner

or

these
T-Outliner

 

[Fingolfin269]

Agreed with emperus on the 76's. However, if you're looking for just a complete shave then get these. Oster Balding Clippers

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I have the $29 Wahl set from Costco, that's not even the lowest it has been. Only complaint is the small battery operated one eats batteries if you want to keep it running its fastest speed.

 

[keird]

I use the New Oster Classic 76

Same. I've used these for 20 years to cut my own hair with a 000 or 0000 blade. Also, I'm now clipping my 17 year-old cat's matted fur with a 10 blade.

edit: I think I had to replace the clippers around the 10 year mark because of dropping it or something. It's a sturdy product, though.

 

[MrSquished]

Another vote for the Oster Classic 76. The cheap ones all break within a year. This one has been going strong for me for like 5 years now. And it does the best job.

 

[darkewaffle]

I've had a Oster "Fast Feed" for something like 7-8 years now. It's been very good to me. The case is showing some cracks and it needs cleaned every now and then but it's been ~$100 very well spent. If I ever get another I'll definitely be going Oster.

 

[eng2d2]

Anyone know what causes the wahl clipper to make a loud vibrating noise even after oiling and adjusting the screw?

 

[Imp]

...A lot of recommendations for Oster 76, but I would not use it for doing my own hair.

I bought and tried the Oster Classic 76 for a year to shave my head with the 000 blade. It was a very smooth, powerful machine and cut very nicely. However, it had a long cylindrical body so it was hard to orient the blades properly without edges when doing the back and top of my head. It also got noisy with the cooling fan. Maintenance also didn't seem as easy. Sold it after a year.

My machine for the past 2 years has been the Andis BGRC. Love it. It's been a smooth, clean, close, and reliable cut for me. And the body is relatively small compared to the Oster 76, so I've found it easier to handle and I can do everything easily by feel. Think it costs about the same as the Oster 76.

A cheaper option is the Oster Fast Feed. That was my first professional grade clipper. Pretty good cut but it didn't seem as smooth or close.

 

[emperus]

...A lot of recommendations for Oster 76, but I would not use it for doing my own hair.

I bought and tried the Oster Classic 76 for a year to shave my head with the 000 blade. It was a very smooth, powerful machine and cut very nicely. However, it had a long cylindrical body so it was hard to orient the blades properly without edges when doing the back and top of my head. It also got noisy with the cooling fan. Maintenance also didn't seem as easy. Sold it after a year.

My machine for the past 2 years has been the Andis BGRC. Love it. It's been a smooth, clean, close, and reliable cut for me. And the body is relatively small compared to the Oster 76, so I've found it easier to handle and I can do everything easily by feel. Think it costs about the same as the Oster 76.

A cheaper option is the Oster Fast Feed. That was my first professional grade clipper. Pretty good cut but it didn't seem as smooth or close.

Can agree with most of the negatives with the Oster 76, but it is still a great clipper, though I haven't tried the BGRC.

I have the Oster fast feed as well, was also my first pro clippers. Also have the Andis Master. But even with the price difference I'd go with the 76's or similar model. It will pay for itself after a couple of cuts. As Imp said the Fast Feed is not as smooth or close because of the plastic guards and weaker motor.

 

[who?]

Anyone know what causes the wahl clipper to make a loud vibrating noise even after oiling and adjusting the screw?

Maybe a design flaw.

 

[Imp]

Anyone know what causes the wahl clipper to make a loud vibrating noise even after oiling and adjusting the screw?

I have a $20 hair clipper. My hand feels weird after using it due to the excessive vibration and it goes dancing if I set it down on a surface in the on position. I think it does that because it's a piece of shit...

 

[blackangst1]

After reading this thread I ordered a clipper/trimmer set. I use a #3 guard clipper cut all over, and always wondered "Why dont I do my own?"

Found a killer deal on an Andis setup HERE

Good thread :thumbsup:

 

[thestrangebrew1]

My wife got this for me for xmas last year: http://www.amazon.com/BaByliss-Clip...=1443561553&sr=1-10&keywords=babyliss+clipper

Love it. Pretty much salon grade. No problems yet.

Edit: Mine didn't come in the fancy case though. Just a box. I think she got it on a black friday sale from the cosmoprof store.

 

[emperus]

Anyone know what causes the wahl clipper to make a loud vibrating noise even after oiling and adjusting the screw?

May be the tension spring needs adjustment. I would google it, though.

 

[echo4747]

Until recently , I always thought the flowbee was some type of gimmick. Last summer I found one at a yard sale for five bucks and so far it seems to work well. Its been used for about a dozen haircuts so far (plus who knows how many more before I purchased it) It is definitely NOT a professional quality machine but so far.. so good. It also is nice not having to vacuum/sweep up the clippings. It is also "goof" proof in sense that the spacers wont let you cut your hair too short.
* It will not let you cut your hair very short if that is what you desire. I would say about 3/8 inch is the clsest you can cut.

 

[Imp]

After reading this thread I ordered a clipper/trimmer set. I use a #3 guard clipper cut all over, and always wondered "Why dont I do my own?"

Depends on what you're doing with your hair.

I shave it bald. Really hard to screw that up...

 

[Insomniator]

Are the more expensive models mentioned here a lot better than the $20 sets at TJ Maxx?

I'm curious, because the cheap one I have takes like 20 passes and still misses hairs on my head (thick curly hair). Wondering if a better model would be more effective, or if my hair or technique is the problem.

 

[emperus]

Are the more expensive models mentioned here a lot better than the $20 sets at TJ Maxx?

I'm curious, because the cheap one I have takes like 20 passes and still misses hairs on my head (thick curly hair). Wondering if a better model would be more effective, or if my hair or technique is the problem.

Simple answer is Yes. It would be much more effective. Get the 76's or something similar and you won't look back.

 

[echo4747]

Oster 76's

Pricey, but well worth it. I cut my own hair (barber is too much of a time investment). Anything under 50 probably isn't worth the investment esp. if you have screaming kids. I recommended it to my friend for his sons' hair and he still still thinks it's one of his best purchases. Because of the motor, he shaves so much time off when cutting screaming/agitated kids.

And for the line up. I have one of each, but the outliner in a regular (not T-blade)

These:

Oster Stylliner

or

these
T-Outliner

If you had to choose one between the Oster Stylliner and the Andis T-Outliner which would it be? I see both are fairly close in price

 

[emperus]

If you had to choose one between the Oster Stylliner and the Andis T-Outliner which would it be? I see both are fairly close in price

Hmm.. Well I use the Styliner more. Use it to shave and use it for line ups. When I want a tighter(crisper) line up and to do the inside portion of my goatee(beard) I use the Outliner (I don't have a T blade on it so it's a little smaller for the inside of my beard).

So, if it's just to get a nice crisp line up, probably the T-Outliner. If you care more about shaving with it, the Styliner. But you can't go wrong with either.