Hair Clippers......

pogofish

Most of the cheaper clippers use exactly the same head whatever the brand and across a fairly wide price range, so there is no need to pay too much for a basic item. Which is of course good for getting replacement combs as they are pretty fragile but IME, they all start to give-up the ghost after a couple of years - I’ve gone through several over the years I’ve been cutting my own hair (Babilyss, Scherna, 2 consumer-grade Whals, Remington)  Salon-grade Whals do use a different and much more robust head but the last time I looked, the starting price for them was well-over two hundred pounds.

Last time I changed clippers, I plumped for a more expensive Panasonic model and it is far and away the best clippers I’ve ever had - from quality and consistency of cut and particularly it’s easy and accurate cut length adjustment, which can be done simply by dialling the length-in mid cut - something that was always hit-or-miss in the cheaper cutters.

And three years-in, it still cuts as well as the day I first used it - great machine!

coffeehound

50Twuncle said:

They come with combs 12mm - 3mm - I assume that means tbe length of hair left on the head - and I should start at the maximum length ?

If you are going short on the sides or back it seems best to start with the shorter comb to do that, then put on longer combs as you work upwards to give a tapered length; that's what the pro's seem to do.  

I put off doing mine for many weeks so it was really long when I finally did it.  Have been pleasantly surprised with the result.  So much so, in fact, I may never again have to negotiate the 'Going anywhere nice this year?' (no) / 'What sports do you like?' (none) / 'What TV programmes do you watch?' (none) conversational awkwardness 

pattycake

donnac2558 said:

I am a female and usually have a pixie cut very thick hair bought great pair from Amazon(now out of stock), only £26.99 great reviews.  They arrived quickly and I did a 6 on sides and back and a 9 on top.  Turned out fantastic, I watch my hairdresser when she uses the clippers on the sides and back of my hair so knew what guards to use.   Easy peasy.

I am exactly the same.  Normally a pixie which is cut professionally every 5 weeks.  My hair is really thick and grows fast.  After all these weeks despite tweaking the edges with thinning shears and scissors, it looks awful.  I have bought hair clippers from Amazon and this morning I used them on my husband to surprisingly good effect.  He looks much better but I wouldn’t trust him to use them on me!  I would let my daughter have a go but because of lockdown, she can’t.  I am tempted to have a go myself.  I’ve watched a couple of YouTube videos but the pretty young things on there make it look so easy and they would be gorgeous whatever they do.

i will report back if I take the plunge.  I suppose I’m not actually going anywhere at the moment!

50Twuncle

Is it best to do it with wet / damp hair ?

The clippers claim to be waterproof !

basill

Some 10 years ago I spent £40 on a Wahl super taper clipper to save the extra few pounds the barber charged for a beard trim. It felt like a lot of money but my cheapo rechargeable trimmers never worked that well and didn't last long.    The Wahl is very well made and does a great job.  It has paid for it self many times over and is still as good as new. I'm now on my second lockdown home haircut and I don't think Ill be going back to the barber 

coffeehound

50Twuncle said:

Is it best to do it with wet / damp hair ?

The clippers claim to be waterproof !

Easier done dry in my experience.

suejb2

https://youtu.be/_E4DIf82a3w https://youtu.be/2lC-EWzPHic 

I sort of followed this

pattycake

As i said in my previous post, I have watched these vids but these girls are lovely and would look great bald!  I’m not so fortunate!  I’m still too timid to try myself.  I’m very much hoping hairdressers will be open early in July so perhaps not too long to wait.  Assuming I can get an appointment of course.  My hair is longer than it has been in years.  Perhaps in a few days it will start to look ok.  My daughter is a serial hair style changer and says there’s always the horrific stage whenever growing out a style before you come out the other side.  Hope she’s right!

50Twuncle

pattycake said:

As i said in my previous post, I have watched these vids but these girls are lovely and would look great bald!  I’m not so fortunate!  I’m still too timid to try myself.  I’m very much hoping hairdressers will be open early in July so perhaps not too long to wait.  Assuming I can get an appointment of course.  My hair is longer than it has been in years.  Perhaps in a few days it will start to look ok.  My daughter is a serial hair style changer and says there’s always the horrific stage whenever growing out a style before you come out the other side.  Hope she’s right!

I agree - both girls do look good but both started with short hair and just made it slightly shorter

My hair is long (for a bloke) it covers my ears and since it is almost 6 months since it was last cut  - how will the clippers cope ?

Also - I am going to have to do it on my own - My wife doesn't want to get involved !!

donnac2558

The clippers will cope just fine you are not Samson.