We asked the pros to give us the rundown on the essential men’s grooming tool: clippers. Here’s what you need to look for when you buy your next pair.
Rest and repair: “Spray the clippers with disinfectant and give them at least 15 minutes to dry. That means, you need to have two sets of everything so that you can let one pair rest and use the other.” – Andrea Sampson, ambassador and director of education for Dannyco Professional
Sharp cut: “Blade quality is most important, just like when you’re searching for scissors. It’s all about performance. Look for high-quality stainless steel that can be easily cleaned and maintained.” – Kat Marcus, Wahl platform artist and educator
Guided approach: “The clipper guards are a great tool to guide you when the section of hair you’re cutting is too short to hold in your fingers. Clippers may have plastic guards or metal fixed blades. What’s the difference? Plastic guards always leave a demarcation that must be removed scissor over comb.” – K.M.
Boasting a two-year lifespan, the BaBylissPro features a brushless motor, making it a reliable pair to have in your kit. How it works: Ball-bearing magnets move in a circular motion, reducing vibrations and making it more efficient than ones with carbon brushes that can wear down over time.
Hang up: “Never wrap the cord around the clippers or hang it by the cord: Doing either can weaken the power connection. Instead, wrap your cord in a figure-eight pattern if you have to store it in a cupboard.” – K.M.
Grease and oil: “Depending on how often you’re cutting hair, busy stylists or barbers have to oil their clippers a few times a day. Most of the time, if clippers are pulling, it’s not due to sharpness but lubrication. Also, remember to keep the blades down to prevent any oil from going into the motor.” – A.S.
Essential attachments: “This power tool takes away the bulk of the hair without snagging or tugging, a fader creates cuts and tapers the hair to different levels, and an outliner finishes the haircut around the hairline and completes the haircut.” – A.S.
For versatility, Wahl’s Li+ Pro2, a European cord/cordless model that features three speed settings, smart display and an adjustable five-in-one blade with cutting lengths from 0.7mm to 3mm. It’s a light but powerful clipper that works well for fades and precision cuts, including bobs.
Motor head: “Having a good blade speed, along with a pivot motor, allows you to cut hair efficiently, no matter what texture your client’s hair is, wet or dry.”– A.S.
Grab on tight: “When barbers are doing a haircut every 30 minutes, comfort is key. Look for clippers with a rubberized grip so they won’t slip or get so hot that your hand will sweat.” – A.S.
Comments are closed.