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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Do it Yourself Discussion! => Topic started by: shelivesthedream on January 29, 2018, 05:53:08 AM

Title: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: shelivesthedream on January 29, 2018, 05:53:08 AM
Eight and a half years into our relationship, my husband has agreed to have a go at clipper cutting my hair! Such excitement! But now I’m looking at clippers and can’t deal with all the options. I’m happy to spend a bit more money for features to make life easy for him, as I want it to go well and for him to feel confident about it. I’m thinking of buying cordless ones as the bathroom seems like the best place to do it but we don’t have a plug socket in there.

So basically, how can I tell the difference between all of these: http://www.wahlstore.co.uk/personal-care-hair-clippers.irc
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: nereo on January 29, 2018, 05:58:53 AM
Holy cow that's a lot of options, for just one brand...
TBH, I've never really noticed a big difference in clippers.  I stick with the corded versions because the battery-powered models always lose their oomph after a couple of years, and I hate the waste even more than i hate re-buying something.

so.... I'd buy the least expensive corded option.  That's what I did ~10 years ago when I last replaced the model we use and its been working out fine.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: lizzzi on January 29, 2018, 06:15:59 AM
I would get one with a cord, and just use an extension cord to an outlet. Maybe buy one in a bricks and mortar store, so you can see what you're getting, and don't have so many options to confuse you. I picked mine up locally for around $35 or $40 (don't know what that is in Euros), and it's been fine for several years. Make sure that the different guards are included in the kit--you'll need them for cutting guys' hair. Mine included a comb and a pair of scissors--neither of which I use.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: Linea_Norway on January 29, 2018, 06:32:15 AM
We got our first clipper as a gift and needed to replace it after 10 or so years. Then I bought a new one, which was the most sturdy and expensive one for home use in that shop. It works well and we have now had it for more than 10 years, I think. The battery is getting worse, but we solve it by reloading it during many hours before use. Then it holds for one haircut. I would invest in a good quality one, which probably makes the cutting job easier. But you need to count on such a machine not having an eternal life.

Just calculate how many haircuts you will save in a year. Then the machine probably isn't so expensive.

If you also need scissors, you can order good quality ones from Ali Express. If you there would buy a more expensive pair (still costing only 10% of a similar item here in Norway), you might get a very sharp pair.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: gooki on January 29, 2018, 07:53:12 PM
I have these:
https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Cordless-Virtually-Indestructible-Barbershop/dp/B014TWODD4/ref=sr_1_sc_2_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1517280368&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=remington+indestructable+hair+trimmer

Unbelievably smooth and quiet, way less vibration than my old cheapies, no hair pulling and a long power cable.

Newer version:
https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Virtually-Indestructible-Haircut-Clippers/dp/B01AWM98IA/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1517280578&sr=1-1&keywords=remington+indestructible+hair+trimmer

Cordless version here:
https://www.amazon.com/Remington-Cordless-Virtually-Indestructible-Barbershop/dp/B014TWODD4/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1517280578&sr=1-2&keywords=remington+indestructible+hair+trimmer
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: NextTime on January 30, 2018, 02:01:06 PM
I've had these for a couple years and they are fantastic. I shave my head but don't go down use a razor. This cuts extremely close, giving what amounts to a 5 o'clock shadow look.  Haven't had an issue with it yet, and believe it works with Wahl's standard guards, though I've never used them with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Professional-Balding-Clipper-8110/dp/B000VVT94G/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1517346005&sr=8-2&keywords=wahl+balding+clippers


Regardless of what you get, make sure you oil them after every use.

Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: PoutineLover on January 30, 2018, 02:05:57 PM
I use the kind that plugs in to charge but can be unplugged to use on my boyfriend's hair. Very convenient. I have one with batteries for myself, it was cheap and kinda crappy, don't recommend.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: sailinlight on January 30, 2018, 02:17:20 PM
I got a battery powered Wahl and it barely had enough power to cut my hair. It pulled the hairs out and it hurt terribly. Changed to the cheapest corded Wahl and have been using the same one for several years now with no complains. Not sure what a more expensive one would do better.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: GuitarStv on January 30, 2018, 02:25:14 PM
I bought the second cheapest corded Wahl clipper set available eight years ago, and they've been going great.  My reasoning behind getting corded clippers was that they would likely be more powerful, and the reason behind getting the second cheapest was that they were probably good enough but not the worst of the bunch.  :P
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: shelivesthedream on January 31, 2018, 04:12:51 AM
Thanks all! I went for the fairly basic £22.99 ones that can work both corded and unplugged. Mr SLTD can't chicken out now!
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: nereo on January 31, 2018, 06:29:10 AM
Thanks all! I went for the fairly basic £22.99 ones that can work both corded and unplugged. Mr SLTD can't chicken out now!
Wouldn't that be Mr. HLTD?
Hope it goes well.  FWIW I've had good luck using the 5/8" guard for the top and 3/8" on the sides and back (I guess that would be ~9mm and ~16mm). Use no guard to carefully trim up the neck and around the ears.  Looks good, hard to mess up and doesn't take a ton of time. 
...Course this is for people who look good/like shortish hair. YMMV
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: Thegoblinchief on January 31, 2018, 07:26:20 AM
Both of my Wahl clippers are corded. I have one full size that’s best for hair and beards. I have the Peanut which can be used for beards but I use it for detail stuff like mustache, nose hair, trimming my neck hair down (I have a full beard and don’t shave my neck, just buzz it)

Not had good experience with cordless ones, Wahl or otherwise.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: shelivesthedream on January 31, 2018, 08:56:03 AM
I think the clincher was the Wahl video for the side part. Short, simple instructions but lots of extra videos to explain the details. We're going to follow that and go from there!
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: ixtap on January 31, 2018, 09:05:57 AM
I doubt that you will find the bathroom to be the best place, unless you have enough floor space to get a chair in there. Any hard surfaced floor will do, I even do my husband's outside sometimes and let some.of the hair blow away.

I got the clippers from Costco.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: chicwhitesox1 on March 05, 2018, 06:46:46 AM
clippers are really fun to use, the first time I used my it really messed up my hair but eventually got the hang of it.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: jpdx on March 13, 2018, 08:42:51 PM
+1 Go with a corded option. Batteries will eventually fail and you will have to buy another one. Or look at it this way: when you go to the barber shop, do they use corded or cordless? Always corded.

I am very happy with my Wahl Peanut for beard and basic trimming. It's inexpensive, compact, and well-built.
Title: Re: Buying Wahl hair clippers - too many options!
Post by: jengod on March 14, 2018, 01:46:25 AM
+1 to corded

Our choices:
Wahl Professional 8500 Senior Premium Clipper
Wahl Professional 8 Color Coded Cutting Guides with Organizer --> My kids like picking out their color and their number.

They have a YouTube channel with haircutting instructional videos:
https://www.youtube.com/user/WahlHome/videos