Good hair clippers with replaceable blades

August 14, 2005 6:41 PM

Good hair clippers? I've been using clippers to periodically crop my hair to somewhere between 1/4" to 1/2" over the last few years. But I've always bought cheap Conair clippers that I found in Target or the grocery store or something. Is there something better?

I'm probably going to do the cropping more frequently as my hair thins. I note that the blades on the clippers get dull periodically. I expect this will happen more frequently with more frequent use. I could just by cheap clippers every year or so (heaven knows that $15 a year is affordable), I just don't feel great about contributing to our junk quota further. What are some good models of clippers, for which I could reasonably expect to be able to buy replacement blades during a decade or two of use? Bonus points for affordability.

posted by namespan to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (20 answers total)

I've seen a lot of low-end stylists using Wahl's, I've noticed a difference using mine, and my only regret is not getting the metal body model. I purchased them at a beauty supply store. About 60 bucks.
posted by mecran01 at 6:50 PM on August 14, 2005

I'll second Wahl. I have these, probably a bit spendy for your needs at about $100, but even the cheaper Wahls will cut better than a Conair.

As mecran01 notes, your best selection will be at a beauty supply store, especially one that caters to the trade. Go to one and get the nicest clippers that'll fit your budget.
posted by jalexei at 7:00 PM on August 14, 2005

Third for Wahl's. They've outlasted two boys, one girl, and a sad incident with the dog.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:09 PM on August 14, 2005 [1 favorite]

Here's the Wahl for $54
posted by curtm at 7:11 PM on August 14, 2005

Ive been clipping my hair With a mid-level Wahl for going on ten years now. No complaints here.
posted by FlamingBore at 7:14 PM on August 14, 2005

Wahl. Used by the pros, with good reason. Ask your barber where to get them. (Say it's for the dog.)
posted by holgate at 7:15 PM on August 14, 2005

I tried Wahl and hated it. Buy an Oster.
posted by spork at 8:05 PM on August 14, 2005

I've been using an Oster, cost around forty bucks or so, for around five-six years now, and it's still going strong.
posted by Drastic at 8:41 PM on August 14, 2005

Oster is ok. Wahl is top-notch.
posted by dreamsign at 8:43 PM on August 14, 2005

My dad has a no-shit-30-year-old Oster that still works great. I use a Wahl and it's better than the midrange Oster I bought 5 years ago (which literally didn't have the power to cut through my hair). The main thing seems to be: make sure the model you buy is heavy as hell with a beefy-ass motor inside. And learn to take good care of it, brushing it out after each use, oiling when necessary, and occasionally taking the blade off to clean and oil inside. This will not only increase the life but also the performance of your clippers.

And never buy anything from Conair. They rocked at hair crimpers in the 80s. But the 80s, as well as hair crimping, are over.
posted by scarabic at 9:18 PM on August 14, 2005

-Plenty- of Wahl clippers for sale on ebay, from cheaper than is listed here, BTW.
posted by Kickstart70 at 10:41 PM on August 14, 2005

Oil your blades before each use (indeed each use) and it will take many years for them to wear out.
posted by joeclark at 5:22 AM on August 15, 2005

I think blade oiling is crucial.

If you are really having trouble you could take a look at pet clippers (I don't know any brands) which have always struck me as more heavy duty than people clippers.
posted by OmieWise at 5:55 AM on August 15, 2005

I just got my second Wahl at Target for like $25. The only reason I had to replace the one I've had for about 8 years is because I lost all the attachments. Even these cheap ones that I use rock. As scarabic notes, Conairs are crap. I bought one before the current Wahl because it was only $20, and it didn't even make it 4 months before the motor hardly worked any more.
posted by Who_Am_I at 5:59 AM on August 15, 2005

I live above a barber shop, and my friend asked them what to buy.
He bought an Oster Fast Feed($50) (Froogle), and an Andis T-Trimmer($50) (Froogle).

The Osters are great for general cutting, and the Andis are good for the neck, around the ears, and even a quick shave if you have light colored hair, I borrow them before I shave with a blade if I haven't shaved in a couple days.
posted by Jack Karaoke at 11:26 AM on August 15, 2005

I have these Andis clippers and love them.
posted by Specklet at 11:52 AM on August 15, 2005

Anyone using any cordless variety? I stand in the tub when I do my head so as to make the least mess and the long extention cord is a drag.
posted by phearlez at 12:29 PM on August 15, 2005

You can get clipper blades sharpened. Try calling up a couple of knife sharpening shops in your area.
posted by teg at 12:40 PM on August 15, 2005

I've never used the cordless models, but I doubt you'd get the same results. Good clippers are fairly bulky already, add in the weight of a battery that truly has enough juice to run that same motor, and you're talking about a pretty heavy item, like this. The cheaper cordless models are advertised for "around ears, eyes(1?), feet(?) and stomach".
posted by Jack Karaoke at 2:26 PM on August 15, 2005

I have used the Wahl clippers on two sons and a husband for 10 years, and the only problem is one of the plastic combs lost a tooth. Sometimes, I'll use a cordless beard trimmer for quick neck shaves - I don't think it has the oomph to do a full haircut.
posted by tizzie at 7:53 PM on August 15, 2005