Easy Breezy Hair Cut

November 13, 2008 10:32 AM

Hair Clipper Filter: I'm looking for a good electric hair clipper. My head of hair has diminished over the years and I think the best haircut for me is very short all around (almost shaved but not quite). So, I'm looking for an adjustable hair clipper that will make it easy to do this myself. Electric, adjustable, perhaps cordless. What do you use? I'm not interested in the Headblade.
posted by Taken Outtacontext to clothing, beauty, & fashion (24 comments total)

How about the flowbee?
posted by Grither at 10:36 AM on November 13, 2008

To paraphrase a former political candidate who shall remain nameless: "Thanks, but no thanks." ;-)
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 10:44 AM on November 13, 2008

Pretty much any standard set of electric clippers with plastic attachments will have you good to go. If you go raw blades on scalp you're going to be shaved seriously close, though, so maybe start out with the #2 attachment first and then the #1 if that's too long so you can kind of see where you like it. Then, you're free! Never another trip to the barber. Welcome to the wonderfully low maintenance world of baldness.

Though, I kind of have to admit that I went to get a hair cut for the first time in more than ten years a couple months ago and it was pretty sweet.
posted by The Straightener at 10:46 AM on November 13, 2008

I've had this one for a few years now. Not pricey, works great. It has a cord, but I personally don't find that it gets in my way. I believe that they offer a lifetime guarantee on repairs, should you need it, but the thing is rock solid.
posted by otolith at 10:47 AM on November 13, 2008

I use a very basic corded Wahl, and it's so sturdy I forsee using it for the rest of my life.
posted by zsazsa at 10:51 AM on November 13, 2008

I use a fairly cheap Wahl clipper for trimming--I've had it for 15 years, and the thing still works fine. So, another strong recommendation for the brand--totally old-school and indestructible.
posted by neroli at 10:52 AM on November 13, 2008

I have this kit from Norelco, which I use to cut my son's hair. Works pretty well, and comes with other useful attachments for trimming sideburns, ear/nose hair, etc.
posted by brandman at 11:01 AM on November 13, 2008

nthing Wahl, although it doesn't get used on my head. (sorry for the TMI)
posted by desjardins at 11:02 AM on November 13, 2008

Yeah, I use a Wahl like these also. They work fine.

If I just need a trim I will sometimes use my (cordless) beard trimmer, and that's fine. If I have to hog off a lot of hair though, because I've gotten lazy and let it grow out a little, it doesn't work at all, just gets jammed up.

I've shaved it a few times. More trouble than it's worth.
posted by RustyBrooks at 11:04 AM on November 13, 2008

I have used a couple of cordless beard trimmers (with an integral sliding length cutting-device-thingy). I have cut my own hair with them for about 7 years, and have no issue at all with them. I have had a Panasonic and a Braun one, and just picked the models around the $20-30 mark. The beard trimmers seem to be just as good but more compact, to my eye, than the dedicated 'hair trimmers' although you have to watch the ratings as the no.2 cut on a beard trimmer is not necessarily the same as a number 2 hair cut.

I can't remember the model number of either of mine, but any of the range from Best Buy will be perfectly adequate, and it is remarkably easy to do. So my vote is for a beard trimmer over a Wahl style one.
posted by Brockles at 11:17 AM on November 13, 2008

Hopefully folks won't mind this slight derail, but just how easy or difficult is it to cut your own hair?
I usually keep mine in a Clooney cut, #2 on the sides and top, and would love to be able to do it myself. Are multiple mirrors or being double jointed necessary to clip your own?
posted by willmize at 11:46 AM on November 13, 2008

Gonna nth the Wahl recommendation. I inherited a cordless trimmer from my uncle a few years ago; God only knows how long he had it. Still works great!
posted by carsonb at 11:54 AM on November 13, 2008

I, too, will nth the Wahl. I've had one for about 5 years and it works really, really well. I use it without attachments and that gives a pebbled, stubbly look that works for me. I agree with The Straightener that you should experiment with the #2 and #1 attachments first.
posted by cheapskatebay at 12:17 PM on November 13, 2008

Any random set of clippers (from a beauty-supply store, or just Target or Costco or whatever) will work pretty darn well if taken care of. Use plenty of light oil. I've used my clippers regularly for at least ten years.

If I ever have to buy another set, though, it'll be the Oster 76, and, when I use it, I'll think of that Neal Stephenson thing about electric drills.
posted by box at 12:21 PM on November 13, 2008

There's a special model of Wahl for those people (like myself) that do like to get as close as possible - not using any attachments. It actually is designed well for this and gets about as close as you can get without using a razor.

I have one, love it, and apart from the cheesy gold finish that flakes off a bit, it's superb.
posted by kcm at 12:43 PM on November 13, 2008

I also use the Wahl Balder that kcm linked to and am very satisfied with it.
posted by indyz at 12:49 PM on November 13, 2008

The Whal's will last for ever and are great. Had one for years, never gave me trouble.

I hate having to clean up all the hair so I got a waterproof cordless (Some off-brand made in China thing) and do it in the shower. It's been running great for two years.

I guess what I'm saying is I'm not sure brand matters.
posted by Ookseer at 12:49 PM on November 13, 2008

willmize, I think we're all talking about cutting our own hair. With patience and experience, your arms and hands will figure out how to reach all the parts of your own head with the clippers. And those plastic comb-like attachments are so wonderful. The clippers even come with a page of instructions for cutting hair. I spent $20 for a basic Wahl several years ago and have never been back to a barber. Granted, I'm bald on top, so I'm just clipping the sides and back, but hey, cutting the top too wouldn't add much. And buy the way, in nice weather, do it outdoors and cleanup isn't needed.
posted by exphysicist345 at 12:56 PM on November 13, 2008

I was looking at this one by Phillips. The cutting measurements are different from normal shears but once you decide what's right for you it seems to work well, especially DIY.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 1:02 PM on November 13, 2008

I bough the cheapest possible mains-powered generic clippers from the local discount store. They cost 12 New Zealand dollars (less than 8 US) and work fine. I can give myself an acceptable number 1 all over, but it's easier to get my partner to tidy up the back of my head. I gather the hair with a dustpan and compost it with the vegetable scraps.

I calculate that in just a couple of years, this has saved many times its purchase price in haircuts.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 2:34 PM on November 13, 2008

I used a Wahl growing up and you won't go wrong with one, but when it was time to buy my own, I got a Remington Vacuum Trim. It's got a small vacuum built in and saves a ton of cleanup. It's not perfect, but it's so very worth it.
posted by advicepig at 6:35 PM on November 13, 2008

nthing, yet again, Wahl. Simple, sturdy, works great. Though, I did recently after five years of use break the plastic measurement-hair length-guide-thingy.
posted by fieldtrip at 7:34 PM on November 13, 2008

I found easiest was to kneel over the tub, buzzbuzzbuzz, have my SO check the neck and trim the neckline straight, rinse head, rinse tub, done!

I used a wahl for years (which I still have), but you may find (as I did) that, once the loss accelerates, cueball is the way to go. Easy, can be done with your eyes closed.

And, chicks dig it. Well, mine does, anyways. IMHO, it looks far cooler than when I had the veryveryshortbutstillbalding look.
posted by liquado at 9:55 PM on November 13, 2008

The one problem I have with my trimmer is that all the guide combs are the same color black, and the labels are black-on-black and nearly invisible. It would be great if they were different colors, which I think is available on the fancier models.
posted by smackfu at 9:00 AM on November 17, 2008