Hair clippers - crash course and recommendations?

Hello everyone, I seem to end up at this forum quite a lot lately so it's probably about time I joined up! I'd like some help on something and I'm hoping the gurus here will know. I've been using Wahl hair clippers for many years now, for a short all-over buzzcut and matching stubble look. I'd like to go cordless though, and I'm finding it a bit of a minefield. There's a Wahl model here that claims to be 'a professional hair clipper and cannot really be used for trimming beards'. There's a Panasonic model here that claims to do beard, sideburns etc and 'children's hair'. Well, I'm not a child, but I can't work out why it would manage a beard but not adult head hair. So what would be the main reasons that a set of clippers could do the hair or the beard but not both - and does anyone have any suggestions for one that will? FWIW I would like to find a good quality device, with good secure length control, and preferably easily replaced cells. The things that annoy me about my current Wahl electric (aside from the cord) is that the taper lever can get bumped in use, and that the combs can be a bit loose and get knocked off unexpectedly when I'm doing the back of my head. I also find that the difference between a #1 and a #2 is too great, and the taper lever doesn't quite make up for that. So if I can address any or all of these annoyances without introducing new ones it'll be a win. All opinions and experiences eagerly heard, thank you!

Cordless sucks. Get an Oster Classic 76, these will outlast you.

The most expensive pair of clippers is a cheap pair.

Originally Posted by Cavalier

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Cordless sucks. Get an Oster Classic 76, these will outlast you.

The most expensive pair of clippers is a cheap pair.
+100. I wouldn't recommend cordless hair clippers or beard trimmers.

Originally Posted by Cavalier

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Cordless sucks.
Yeah, it never really caught on with drills or radios or computers did it I think what you mean is 'cords suck'. I refuse to believe that in nearly 2010 with the lipo batteries and dc motors we have now, it is impossible to cut hair effectively.

So you came here asking for a cordless, but realized it was hard to find a good cordless w/ your minefield comment. Then you get a suggestion for the best hair clippers there are, but they happen to be corded.
So you ignore the suggestion and want a cordless anyway.
GTFO jackass.

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

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So you came here asking for a cordless

Bingo.

I could give two ***** about drills, radios, computers or your butt vibrator. I could have sworn you asked about cordless clippers, which always suck. If you want a quality pair of clippers buy the Oster 76's otherwise, waste your money (it's not mine).

$27 Panasonic cordless clippers? Too funny. Let me know how those work out for you chump.

Originally Posted by Brewer

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Yeah, it never really caught on with drills or radios or computers did it

I think what you mean is 'cords suck'.

I refuse to believe that in nearly 2010 with the lipo batteries and dc motors we have now, it is impossible to cut hair effectively.

If you get no advice based on first-hand experience, find a retailer with a good return policy and be your own guinea pig.

Originally Posted by Cavalier

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$27 Panasonic cordless clippers? Too funny. Let me know how those work out for you chump.

I didn't even look at the price, I don't particularly care about the price. If you look really carefully you'll see my question (it's the sentence with a ? at the end of it) wasn't about price, or even whether you thought cordless was a good idea or not.

I was seeking some 'helpful' advice, like 'beard clippers are too small for your head' or 'head clippers don't get close enough to your nose' or some other reasonable argument for why certain clippers would be described as either A or B that I hadn't considered.

Of course it's entirely possible I came to the wrong place, seems like a lot of anger around here.

Originally Posted by AThingForCashmere

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If you get no advice based on first-hand experience, find a retailer with a good return policy and be your own guinea pig.

Thanks ATFC, I'm no stranger to being my own guinea-pig. Experience-based advice would be great though and is why I posted the question here.

I must admit I expected a bit more than 'your idea sucks, use mine' though.

Originally Posted by Brewer

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Yeah, it never really caught on with drills or radios or computers did it

I think what you mean is 'cords suck'.

I refuse to believe that in nearly 2010 with the lipo batteries and dc motors we have now, it is impossible to cut hair effectively.

Believe what you want; doesn't change the fact that cordless clippers are crap.

Forfex FX687 have worked well for me. They use the same blades as the Oster 76.

Hey Brewer,

Sorry I didn't find this until today. I was looking for an Andis Oster comparison and happened into this. These guys sure have a bias against cordless clippers and towards the the Oster 76 which is a very good clipper. I like my Forfex 690's more, but they're very close.

There are some fantastic cordless clippers available by Andis, like the BGR +but they're almost $200. I don't know that they're a great idea. Rechargeable batteries need to be used, even the lithium cell ones, and while the Andis charger has a "refresh" feature, unless you're a pro, I don't think they're worth buying unless you use them every day or two.

The BGRC and BGR+ are the same motor, but one is corded and one isn't. In fact you can swap the cord and battery. Go here to see them: The guy is silly, but there's some good info there.

Good luck with your shopping,
Todd

The ONLY cordless clippers that are any good are the Wahl. But 100% not for home use. Go with corded..How can I put this....cordless sux!!

I think you're wrong. The clippers can be the same. It's just the power supply that changes.

In the Andis clippers, the motor housing comes off the cord connector, so you can put on a battery pack. There's a DC transformer/Wall wart that you plug in. So it's a DC rotary motor instead of an AC rotary motor like in my Forfex or the Oster 76.

I don't doubt that the Oster is a little stronger than the Andis. And a little heavier than the Andis when it's plugged in. I also don't know if the Andis with it's battery weighs more than the Oster.

I do know they are both great clippers. The Oster plugged in, or the Andis plugged in or running on battery power. At some level, it becomes personal preference. I got the Forfex which is nearly identical to the Oster. Just blue, different switch, and 43 watts, not 45 I think. And it only cost me $60 new with 2 blades because it is blue LOL. The black version was over $100.

But I'd buy the Andis as readily as the Oster or the Forfex.

Todd

The best clippers are actually scissors. And they're cordless.

Clever point.

I think Home Depot should offer a Ryobi hair clipper that uses the Oster/Andis blades and runs off a belt battery pack. Then dog groomers could put their 18V tool batteries on a belt holder, have a 3 or 4 foot stretch coil cord and not worry about the battery being too small to groom pets outside. Might not be a bad thing for humans too. You'd just need a few different clippers/trimmers that you could use with the belt pack.

Sorry for the tangent.
Todd