Clipper blade got jammed mid-fade today and I almost lost it

I was working on a client at my station in Austin and the blade on my Wahl Senior just stopped dead halfway up the side of his head. Turns out I hadn't cleaned the gunk out from the last guy and the tension screw backed out. Had to grab my backup clippers to finish while the client just stared at me in the mirror.

2 comments

2 Comments

alicebarnes4d ago

Idk maybe it's just me but I feel like every time I hear about a jam it's always the tension screw that gets overlooked. There was a blog post I skimmed last month from some barber supply place and it said the same thing, like barbers forget that the blade tension can change just from heat and usage through the day. Honestly it makes sense when you think about it, the screw vibrates loose over time and you don't notice until it just gives out. I've had it happen to me twice and both times I was too rushed to do a quick check between clients.

vera_roberts4d ago

Dude I just read this article the other day about how most clipper jams happen because of that exact tension screw issue. It said like 60 percent of barbers don't check it regularly enough. I know I get lazy about it too especially when I'm back to back with clients. At least you had a backup though, that client probably didn't even notice once you switched. That moment when you're mid fade and everything stops is just pure panic.