Pretty ProgressiveWhether you are new to the industry or just looking to upgrade your toolkit, getting the right hair clipper is always imperative. Why? Because, as a hairstylist, the tools you use greatly determine your comfortability and the quality of the haircut.
Now, when it comes to hair clippers, shopping and finding the right tool isn’t always that easy. Because there are so many brands out there to choose from. So, here are a few WiseBarber’s expert tips on how to spot a quality hair clipper.
1. Housing Material
Obviously, if you are buying something for commercial purposes, value for money should be a priority. And durability is often the best way to get this. Now, there are different types of housing materials available. For instance, this BaByliss clippers review by WiseBarber lists clippers with either metal or plastic housing.
And from that post, it’s evident that metal housing clippers are sturdier than other materials. Thus, they’re ideal for clumsy hairdressers. However, with such a clipper, you’d be trading comfort for durability. Why?
Because metal is heavier than plastic; hence, the clipper might get uncomfortably hot and heavy during a long haircut. Also, note that hair clippers usually have a lot of moving parts. Therefore, the housing material may not be the only aspect affecting their longevity.
2. Overall Design
With durability in check, the next thing to consider is design. On the plus side, most hair clipper brands, nowadays, produce lightweight, balanced, and ergonomic clippers. Therefore, it’s much easier to find a well-designed tool. However, here’s a quick, pro tip.
Before buying a clipper, make sure you hold it in your hands. You want to feel its design, assess its weight, simulate haircut movements to test flexibility and maneuverability. If everything feels right, it could be worth some consideration. More so, if you are shopping online and don’t have physical access to the clipper, read through user reviews first. They’ll give you a better picture of what to expect.
3. Power and Blade Quality
For durability, check the sturdiness of the housing material; for comfort, check the design and weight. However, to assess a clipper’s performance, you need to consider motor power and blade quality.
Generally, there are three different types of motors; i.e. pivot (rare), rotary, and electromagnetic motors. In summary, Rotary motors are the fastest and strongest. However, electromagnetic ones are cheaper and last longer. So, it all depends on your preferences and budget.
In terms of blade quality, there are three common options; namely:
- Stainless Steel – Strong and cheap, but highly susceptible to rust and corrosion.
- Titanium Blades – Durable, strong, and corrosion-resistant, but a bit expensive.
- Ceramic blades – coolest and sharpest, but tend to break easily and are very expensive.
4. Features and Functionalities
Now, it’s important to ensure that the clipper you buy comes with modern features and functions. That’s because they help to improve your haircutting experience and the clipper’s performance. That said, the best and most common features include:
- Having accessories and guide combs.
- Cord/cordless functionality.
- Longer runtimes for cordless hair cutters.
- Waterproofing for easy and fast washing.
- Adjustable cutting speeds.
- Taper lever for easy blade size adjustments.
These features not only improve the tool’s performance, maintenance, and functionalities but also guarantee you more value for your money. So, finding a clipper that has most, if not all, of these features is a win-win for you.
In summary, hair clippers are an essential part of a hairdresser’s workday. Regardless of the type of haircut in mind, these tools always add convenience, reliability, simplicity, and ensure speedy results. But, only if you use the right clipper. With the tips above, it should be easy to find the best ones available.
