Question For Hair Clipper Users

[C0ffin D0dger]

I've been doing my hair DIY for quite a few years now, just run it over with the clippers with a number 2 comb attached and then get the missus to check I haven't missed any bits. Does the job for me and has probably saved quite a bit on the cost of barbers over the years. My wife now does my son's hair with them in a similar manner.

So I had a set of Wahl clippers from Argos that lasted ages and I don't think I paid more than about £20 for them. Eventually they stopped cutting so well and started to pull a bit. Thought they might need new blades so got replacements but made no difference so concluded the motor must have lost power.

Bought a new set, Wahl again, cheapest Argos had thinking what could go wrong. Probably had them about 2 years but went to use them at the weekend, noticed they'd become noisy and then tried to cut my hair, they just wouldn't cut. Tried taking off the blades, cleaning everything but to no avail, seem to be broken.

So question is, is it worth shelling out for a "professional" set, something that a barbers would use? I'd imagine the usage of my cheap Argos ones would probably equate to about a couple of weeks of hair cuts in an actual barbers so whatever they use they'd want to last a few years I expect, so to a home user like myself should last many many years?

Any recommendations? Looking on the Wahl web site there's quite a selection of professional ones, the Super Taper seem popular and come in around £55. Don't need or want cordless.

Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Wednesday 19th February 16:30

[anonymous-user]

Are you oiling them at all?

I'm a Grade 1 all over have been for years and always use Wahl, normally £20-30 and they'll see me 18mths - 2 years

When you say noisy I assume you are using the adjusting screw and trying again?

[Silverbullet767]

Use proper blade oil to oil the blades after each use.

I have the wahl 'balding clippers' and bought a bottle of wahl blade oil at the same time, and I've have had them for 10 years now.

[RicksAlfas]

I've had some Babyliss ones for at least 12 years, probably longer. I don't remember them being very expensive and they still work great. I suspect they are an old version of these:
https://www.babyliss.co.uk/powerlight-pro-hair-cli...

[LordGrover]

Wahl balding. Accept no alternatives.

Or do what I do now and get a headblade moto.

[Brainpox]

We went through two Remington sets over the course of about 15 years. Didn't really look after them properly either, once the oil ran out it was never replaced. Can't remember how much they were but would not have been expensive, below £40.

I don't know if their quality has gone down since, though.

[C0ffin D0dger]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yep, always oil before a cut, tried the screw, changed the noise but still wouldn't cut.

[Cotty]

C0ffin D0dger said:

My wife now does my son's hair with them in a similar manner.

You have been using them fine for years but as soon as your wife starts using them they go wrong Have you asked her how she is using them?

I have used Wahl clippers from Argos for years, never used oil and only cut dry hair and they are fine, is she cutting wet hair.

[bristolbaron]

I pick mine up from TKmaxx, always have a spare set in the cupboard for when mine inevitably die half way through a trim. Super taper are used by barbers, but I go for the £20 options.

[alorotom]

I use a set of Wahl Afro Combers (the red ones) ... no guard and my hair used to quite coarse and thick’s. I was going through a set of regular Wahl clippers every 12mths.

I’ve had the current set for at least 6years now. Oiled every time I use them.

Stripped and cleaned them properly for the first time ever before Christmas.

I bought them in Boots for peanuts in the sales one year.

[RenPug]

I just use a cheap Wahl set that are usually about £15, shave my head and beard with them at least once a week. Never oil them and get 12-18 months out of them before they start snagging at which point they go as a back up set and purchase some new ones. No messing about and still cheaper than going to the barbers.

[Scrump]

Wahl super taper user. Had mine for 8 years and still working and cutting perfectly.

[gregs656]

I've got the cheap Wahl set, currently about 18 months in and still going well, but next time I am going to get a Super Taper.

[Mr-B]

An ex bought me a Nicky Clarke kit and have used it weekly ever since, bought around 2004 I think. Which reminds me I need to oil it, haven't done that for a few years.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Tell me more about this Wahl Balding and the Headblade Moto. Before I waste money on one or both. Better than a wet shave with a Mach ?

[anonymous-user]

Had a few sets of Wahl including the Balding Clipper (impressive and as some said still work after many many years)

But have now settled on Panasonic Professional set which is sharper and cordless as a treat to myself. They are the best clippers I’ve ever owned and I’ve had a good few sets.

If you really want to treat yourself Oster might be worth a look and are cool

[ceesvdelst]

I bought some Remington ones 8 years ago, the battery is useless, but I just lob it on the extension lead and power it up direct.

I clip direct with no comb, the things are bombproof, hardly ever oil them and just clean them now and then, honestly work fine, cut clean, no pulling after all this time and used every month for 8 years.

Have tried others with mates, girlfriends who hairdress etc etc, but none are as good as these have been so far.

[Hoofy]

Whatever Aldi sold 3 years ago for £8 is what I use. I haven't bothered with the oil.

[romeodelta]

I’d recommend the Remington Rapid Cut.

Gets closer/neater than traditional clippers and lasts longer too.

[Don1]

Panasonic wet/dry type here. Use it exclusively in the shower--stops any spots caused by cut hair getting in the pores.