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Was sure cheap clippers would work fine until I tried a proper set | Barbers - The Design Community Hub

Was sure cheap clippers would work fine until I tried a proper set

I started cutting hair at home during the pandemic with a $30 clipper set from Target. Figured it was good enough for simple fades and trims. After about 8 months the motor started slowing down on thicker sections and I kept getting uneven lines. Finally caved and bought a Wahl Senior corded set for $180 back in February. The difference was insane, like night and day. Cut through thick hair smooth as butter, no pulling, and the blade adjustment actually stayed put. Now I bring my own clippers to the barbershop because the house set just can't compare. Has anyone else had a cheap tool hold them back for way longer than it should have? What was the upgrade that really made you kick yourself for waiting so long?

2 comments

2 Comments

mitchell.shane3mo ago

Used to think spending over $50 on clippers was insane honestly. Always assumed it was just marketing hype and that any set that actually cuts hair would do the job just fine. Then I borrowed my buddy's Andis Master for a home cut maybe six months ago and realized I had been fighting my cheap clippers for years without even knowing it. The motor in those cheap ones just can't keep consistent speed when the hair gets thicker, which explains why I always had weird lines. Finally got a proper corded set myself and the smoothness of the cut made me feel stupid for waiting so long. Guess you really do get what you pay for with some tools, especially stuff with a motor.

robert_bennett293mo ago

@mitchell.shane pretty much nailed it. That whole thing about cheap tools hiding the real problem from you is something I see everywhere, not just with clippers. My buddy used a dull kitchen knife for two years before I let him borrow my decent one and he couldn't believe how much easier cooking got. Same deal with my neighbor and his cheap drill - kept stripping screws for months until he finally bought a proper Makita. We all get used to fighting bad gear and just assume that's how things are supposed to work.