Comments on: Crew cut at home?

Question: Crew cut at home?

SBMike — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 11:35:43 -0800

Need help finding a good set of electric buzzers to give myself a crew cut.

I have been cutting my own hair for the past few years to save time/money. I used to have an excellent set of clippers that broke recently (can no longer find it for sale), and have been disappointed with the set I bought to replace it. Now I am using a model from Vidal Sassoon which works OK, but with one major problem. The clippers work great with all the attachments, but if I use it without any attachments (just the clippers themselves), the clippers pull on my hair quite painfully and don't really do a great job of actually cutting my hair. This didn't happen with my old set. I would really like to be able to cut my hair slightly shorter than the smallest attachment would allow.

Have any of you had any luck with any particular brand of clippers? I would prefer not to spend more than $40-50. What specifications should I look for to make sure it will be powerful enough to cut without attachments? My hair is curly if that matters (think Jew-fro). Any way to get them second-hand from a barber?

By: yerfatma

yerfatma — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:05:07 -0800

I have a set of Wahl clippers from Sally Beauty Supply that have lasted for 3-4 years.

By: Katravax

Katravax — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:11:02 -0800

Go to a beauty supply store and buy what you can afford. I've had a clipper with attachments I paid $75 for 8 or 9 years ago, and they still run like new, no pain or catching. I use them once a month or so, and I use only the bare clipper with no attachments.

Also get a bottle of clipper oil. It's less than $5. Clean the clippers real good with a little brush after each use, and oil the blades.

By: zoinks

zoinks — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:31:11 -0800

Seconding Wahl. I've been cutting my own hair with this thing for ten years now. I believe it cost about forty dollars (back in 1996). Model name is "The Designer." I use it less frequently than Katravax.

By: eleongonzales

eleongonzales — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:43:56 -0800

This might sound weird, but I use the Wahl animal grooming clippers.

They don't come with very many attachments, but if you want to go short they will cut through anything. I used to have the same problem with pulling then I got these to cut through my thick hair.

They were cheap too- ~$30? These are similar

By: greatgefilte

greatgefilte — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 13:03:53 -0800

I've had good luck with an Oster T-Blade Finisher, though it's more for the shaved head look than a crew-cut.

By: prjo

prjo — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 13:54:29 -0800

Wahl. I've been using mine for almost 15 years

By: O9scar

O9scar — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 14:12:30 -0800

I recently bought a Vidal Sassoon trimmer after my Conair crapped out. I found that when I wasn't getting a proper trim on my neck I had the blade lever out. When I pulled it back in I got a nice trim again.

As for hair pulling, you should oil the blades. If you already did, never mind.

By: cyclopticgaze

cyclopticgaze — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 16:07:25 -0800

I've been using my $12 Wahl clippers for more than 10 years. They've been used hundreds of times. Just brush off the blades with an old toothbrush after every use, give em a good shake with the blade turned on, and oil the blade frequently.

By: klarck

klarck — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:03:08 -0800

I'm pleased with the Wahl I bought at Target after reading this answer.

By: sennoma

sennoma — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:46:19 -0800

Another vote for Wahl. My Mum still cuts my Dad's hair with a pair of Wahl clippers that are older than I am (37). Just take cyclopticgaze's advice on maintenance and your clippers will outlast your hair.

By: sluggo

sluggo — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:53:54 -0800

My dad, who's a pro barber, bought me a set of Wahl dog clippers that have served me well for the last decade or so. He says that they work just as well as the non-dog variety, and would use them on his customers if he thought they wouldn't notice.