A good electrical hair trimmer

[lt_gustavsen]

Can someone recommend a good electrical hair trimmer? It will be family used.
We have had several cutters over the last years, but they have been of low quality.

Thanks
Lars

[PalmettoB]

I have a Wahl trimmer with two guards, a short (maybe 1/4 inch) and a fairly long one (maybe 3/4 inch). It is probably as nice as anything my barber uses, though I only use it to trim up my goatee, so it is not in constant use. It might not be a very expensive one, but it seems to be holding up well.

[Dennis]

The industry standard is the Oster A5 clipper (http://www.osterpro.com/productModels.asp?ProdCatID=1). Beware, they can start to get expensive.

Dennis

[lt_gustavsen]

Thanks I will check out this.
When I searched for the Oster a5 I get mostly animal clippers...
Are you sure they can be used for normal hair care?

[Dennis]

Thanks I will check out this.
When I searched for the Oster a5 I get mostly animal clippers...
Are you sure they can be used for normal hair care?

Sure do - these are what you find in most barbershops. You buy the clipper (the body) and then you will need to buy blades. The blades are numbered depending on the length of hair left. You can stick with one clipper blade (like the standard #10) and then clip a plastic guard over the blade to vary the length as well.

The reason you get so many animal hits as the people who use clippers the most are veterinarians and dog groomers.

Dennis

[FriscoSoxFan]

I use this to buzz my scalp every week. Believe it or not, the built-in vacuum works pretty well.

http://www.amazon.com/Remington-HKVAC-2000-Precision-Vacuum-Haircut/dp/B0009OAFUM

Please, no flow-bee jokes :wink:

[Dennis]

I just did some googling around to confirm my previous reply. It appears the barbers are using using Oster 76. There is not really much difference between the clippers though and the prices are comparible (low $100s). You want to be certain that to change the blade you can flip the head out as opposed to having to unscrew it from the clipper. If you google barbershop supplies, look around them for clippers and you will get the idea.

Dennis

[sparky5693]

The a5 is a animal clipper. It cuts a wider swath, and may be a bit too tough to navigate on a person. Aside from that they are the same. Oster makes a fine clipper, but in my opinion, I don't care for all the maintenance. They do require disassembling the motor for lubrication on occasion. It's very easy, I just don't want to be bothered. I would personally recommend an andis clipper. My preference is the andis excel 1 or two speed models. The insides do not need maintenance at all, just the occasional drop of oil on the blades themselves. I feel the oster 76 and andis excel are about equal in performance. Either will cut down the thickest of hair in one single pass (even when wet). Less expensive clippers require alot more time as you end up rubbing, and making multiple passes to get the hair. Even the cheapest of clippers will get the job done, it just takes forever, to get a clean even cut.

I would invest in a blade for your particular length in place of using a plastic guard. The professional models offer snap on blades (replacing the one on there). Each one cuts at a specific length. The andis excel does come with guards if you are unwilling to purchase seperate blades. The blades are compatible with the oster or andis clipper. I haven't bought a 76 in a few years, but the excel can be had for 75-100 bucks. I sold my 76 after getting an excel.

I highly recommend buying a high quality clipper as opposed to the 10 dollar special.

[ramtip]

http://www.wahlpro.com/images/wahlpro/8355Designer.jpg

I recently took a 3 month sabbatical from headshaving and used this Wahl every week at the lowest setting with great results. This is not a consumer model, but part of their professional line. I think I got it at Sally's beauty supply a couple years ago for less than $50 -- it was what they recommended to me.

[lt_gustavsen]

Thanks for all information here. I have just picked up one andis excel on ebay.
I guess I can wait with a blades set until I know what I need. Blades are not very cheap either. The only problem I can see so far is that I need to use it with a step-down voltage converter.
Thanks everybody.

[sparky5693]

I think you'll be very happy with it. Did you buy the 1 or 2 speed? Either will be completely fine.

[chop-chop]

lt_gustavsen,

I hope that the Andis works out well for you! I have an SR 1000... made by the Styling Research Company. It's a fantastic clipper, probably available only through a Barber/Stylist Supply company.

chop-chop

[lt_gustavsen]

I think you'll be very happy with it. Did you buy the 1 or 2 speed? Either will be completely fine.

I picked up the 2 speed version. The price was almost similar.
Do you have any recommendation for a blade starter set too? I mean is there a few blades that you consider as a must?

Lars

[sparky5693]

It entirely comes down to what length you want to cut. Look at what guards you use the most. That would be a sure fire indicator as to what you may need. Myself I use a 1/4'' blade, which equals to a number 2 guard. The 2 speed model is the one I use also. I wouldn't bother buying a blade set. Just pick up the ones that cut the lengths you use.

[M Guthner]

I use a version of the Oster 76 called the powerline http://www.bowmanbeauty.com/store/shop.mvc?page=BBS/PROD/1-26200/76076-040. The clippers are outstanding and put the walmart specials to shame. Well worth the money, imo. It comes with a #1 blade and a #00000 blade (very close cut).