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So looking like we won't be able to get a hair cut until at least July.
I had a trim the week before lockdown started - so 8 weeks on I'm starting to look a bit scraggly.
So looks like nothing for it other than to attack it with some clippers.
Any recommendations for some not too expensive clippers?
Loads on eBay, Amazon, although some are likely short on supply or currently unavailable, I’ve just received a set which I haven’t needed to use, my hair hasn’t grow out enough yet; these -
Remington Quick Cut Hair Clippers with 9 Comb Lengths Curved Blade for Rapid Hair Trimming Detailing with Storage Pouch - HC4250 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012F8MS9A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_UyzUEbFJ18XR9
Mine was getting straggly as well, I just thought sod it and went at it with my beard trimmer, did a pretty good job, but the proper trimmer will make like easier in future.
I got a trimmer and clipper set direct from Wahl.
Never used one before but does a great job and has different comb lengths so you don’t have to do a no.1 all over your bonce
It is actually possible to DIY, but better if someone else has a go. Always cut in the opposite direction for best results!
I've got the ones CountZero links to. Have worked fine for a few years.
I got some from Argos for about £20. They’ve done the job for now.
Got some Braun HC5010 off ebay for about £25 ... worked ok.
I got the Wahl clippers with coloured clip-on things.
When you clean the head, pull it off. Don't think 'hmmm, that's a bit tough, maybe I should undo these screws'.
Cue an u sproinging noise and a lot of head scratching as to why they then didn't work.
Fixed eventually, but felt proper dumb!
Wahl. Whatever fits your budget.
Wahl chrome ones for me with a size 12 comb as an extra. Meant I could just run over the top with that and taper with a 3 everywhere else
Always cut in the opposite direction for best results!
Opposite to what?
Cue an u sproinging noise and a lot of head scratching as to why they then didn’t work.
Ah, that would be Internal Ping****its.
"I'll just open this up..."
*PING*
"* it!!"
See also those €-shaped circlips, they're External Ping*its. "I'll just prise with a screwdriver here and..."
Cougar
Subscriber
Cue an u sproinging noise and a lot of head scratching as to why they then didn’t work.Ah, that would be Internal Ping****its.
“I’ll just open this up…”
*PING*
“**** it!!”
Pretty much like that! And it was one of those mousetrap style springs that threatened to take the end off my finger as I attempted to put it back where it should be & repair my ineptitude.
I've been after a set for the last week. Argos, boots, asda, tesco etc all sold out, "stock coming soon"
Just ordered a set off ebay, no idea what they are but they are in stock and fast delivery. If I'd seen this I'd have ordered that set from wahl above.
I'll let you know if I survive
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124181119817
Ah, that would be Internal Ping****its.
“I’ll just open this up…”
*PING*
“* it!!”
See also those €-shaped circlips, they’re External Ping*its. “I’ll just prise with a screwdriver here and…”
For future reference, find a reasonably large plastic bag, put device inside, start prising item* from device, bag will prevent item* from vanishing under the fridge, sofa, whatever.
*springclip, plastic cover, screw, other small, easily lost vital object.
been doing my own hair with wahl clippers for 8 or 10 years. never had any disasters and didn't take too many goes to learn to do it fairly quickly, biggest pain is tidying up (but then loads of newspaper down first makes that easy too). do the long bits first then shorter.. so #8 all over, then #6 everywhere bar the fringe, then #5 on all but fringe and top, #3 rond the sides, #2 round the lower sides, tidy neck with no comb, done in 10 mins.
I ordered some Wahl cordless clippers a few weeks ago, used a discount code on the Wahl website & got £10 off instead of the 10% that it was supposed be!
Used them for the first time last night, never cut my own hair before & TBH I was pretty impressed with the result - definitely paid for worse haircuts in the past!
My dad was a barber, always used Wahl but rated the Philips Headgroom. I inherited his and it does a much better job than the clippers I've always used. Just done the boy as somehow he's managed to get nits even without contacting the outside world for two months...
Since barely anyone sees me in lockdown i just buzz it all off, once a week No.0 and it's quite liberating. I might grow it out if we get let loose again, as I do have the weirdest head shape.
Thanks all - most places seem out of stock (not unsurprisingly I suppose).
Will keep an eye out and see what I can get.
I was looking last night and couldn't find anything with a brand I recognised anywhere.
Rather annoyingly, now that our two boys are stuck at home with hair sprouting at an alarming rate, I remembered that I'd chucked out the combs/guides that came with my existing clippers during a cupboard clear-cut. I had no use for them.
So, I'm in the market for some more clippers too.
What I've noticed while looking:
Loads of them only come with four guides, typically up to around 13mm / no. 4.
I want guides up to no. 6 or 8 to do the tops of the boys heads.
I've looked everywhere I can think of online: Amazon, Argos, Currys, Boots, Ebay...
Plenty of unknown brand stuff on ebay, but I'm not keen on ripping the hair out of my kids' heads with poor quality blades. Also, loads of sellers with zero feedback.
So, if anyone knows where I can pick up something with a good range of guides and of a decent make - please shout up!
So, if anyone knows where I can pick up something with a good range of guides and of a decent make – please shout up!
Dog clippers off Amazon. Exactly the same thing, a range of guides. My proper Wahl clippers are lost in the back of a full storage container so I used the dogs on my hair and my son, no noticeable difference.
Dog clippers off Amazon
Interesting! I'll have a look, cheers.
Nobbingsford - My trusty Brauner cruzer5 died at the weekend (seems to be the battery) which was fair enough as I've used them for Barnet and beard for over 5 years. Stayed with Braun as they lasted so long, and I like the fact you can wash them in the shower - My preferred place to give myself an all over trim.
So, bought these, so far so good, Argos have them in stock -
Thanks for that heads-up @Nobeerinthefridge. They look just the job and the right price.
Only one local(ish) store appears to have limited stock and delivery not available.
Argos website won't let me add them to my trolley.
Aaaghhh!
I'll keep trying....
Phew! Argos site decided to start working. Ordered, paid for and ready to collect from tomorrow.
Thanks very much @Nobeerinthefridge!
Singletrack does it again!
Now just need to work out how to get to the shop to collect them. Anyone know if Newcastle city centre car parks are open at the moment?
I'm sure they will be, and if it's like up here, there's not a traffic warden around anyway, you'll be fine parking on the street for 5 mins.
Just ordered the only 'decent' one I could find in stock anywhere - a Phillips from Argos. Delivery first thing in the morning (allegedly)!
I can't find anything 'decent'. Almost everything pretends to be clippers in the item title, but when you actually look at the image of the packaging they are beard trimmers and not hair clippers. I already have a decent Philips beard trimmer and I wouldn't tackle my hair with it.
Ah well. I read the reviews and plenty of people had used it for hair. I'll give it a go.
I like the fact you can wash them in the shower – My preferred place to give myself an all over trim.
You mean your legs right?
You mean your legs right?
No, my legs are fine, I mean my chest, shoulders, neck, armpits and baws.
failedengineer - my braun one comes in a box that says beard trimmer on too, but same as you, I read the reviews and it's just the job. No guard for the napper, 2.5mm for the beard, It's more of a manicured stubble really than a beard, I hate hair on my neck!.
I was in the same spot and bought an Andis Envy corded clipper straight from Andis after things were sold out on Amazon (not sure how distribution works in the UK).
I have a cordless beard trimmer that I like, but the more powerful clippers are much nicer for hair and left my son's looking a lot less chunky as they clogged less and cut much more per pass. I didn't try the beard trimmer on my thicker hair, but I suspect it would have ended badly, whereas I'm rather pleased with how my own turned out with the clippers.
I can’t find anything ‘decent’. Almost everything pretends to be clippers in the item title, but when you actually look at the image of the packaging they are beard trimmers and not hair clippers. I already have a decent Philips beard trimmer and I wouldn’t tackle my hair with it.
Depends on just how short you want it. If you’re going for a buzz cut, a beard trimmer will do, it’s what I used, I just stuck one of the longer combs on and went for it. It’ll grow back anyway; not that I’m fussed, having gone for it, it’s staying that way because it was getting increasingly thin on top, and trying to make the rest look reasonably tidy was just more effort than it was worth. As I wear a hat all day at work, I no longer have to worry about it getting sweaty and straggly, and washing it just means going over my whole head with a soapy flannel when I have a quick freshen up!
Yes, was hoping to source proper ones as not aiming for a buzz cut - not on my 6 yr old anyway! Was aiming for maybe grade 6-8 or something.
The reason I don't really have faith in my beard trimmers is I probably go over the same place 30+ times with the same length guard and it still finds hairs cut on each pass. That seems very different to how hair trimmers seem to work when my barber does my head.
Just a word of warning: a mate has just put up a photo of her husbands hair.
She tried to use his beard trimmers to cut his hair. They protested and died with one side of his hair cut and one side looking like a 70’s rock star.
He now looks something like this and they’re desperately trying to source some proper clippers to finish the job:
Don’t say you haven’t been warned! 😂
I bought a corded oster from coolblades. Came in a few days and I did my son's hair this afternoon. Seemed a decent bit of kit and better than the one I had as a student. Anyway the haircut was passable, and I only cut myself once with the scissors, also from coolblades.
Well, later this morning I’ve been tasked with trimming my g/f’s hair with my new clippers.
😱
Any update on the dubious ebay purchases?
My attempt at trimming my g/f’s hair wasn’t the total disaster I was afraid it might turn out to be, although she did have a remarkably relaxed attitude to how it might turn out, which was a relief!
And I’m not posting any photos!
https://uk.remington-europe.com/products/hc4250-quickcut-hair-clipper
CountZero suggested these too above!
I had these on order early in the lockdown, but cracked and actually used by beared trimmer on my head...to be fair it worked really well 🙂
The QuickCut however is really nice and much easier/quicker to use.
Stock seems to be limited and prices inflated in these times, I actually had to go for a man-utd branded version, which was about £20 cheaper :/ oh well!:)
My hair grows at an alarming rate, which means I'm at the barber shop every 3-4 weeks.
Mrs Seadog bravely sorted me out with a No 8 over the top, and various shorter combs around the back and sides.
Proudly declared that I no longer need to go to barber. And saved money goes in the pot for fun. Who gets to spend the money is still up for discussion.
Do the various different brands all use the same kind of comb fitment?
Any update on the dubious ebay purchases?
I ordered on Monday and got a my hermes tracking number straight away. They've still not arrived and when I put the number in my hermes it says we are still waiting for your package!
Estimated delivery range ends 21st of May.
My clippers arrived Monday (1 week from ordering)
Normally, I would never have considered unbranded clippers off ebay but this was all that was left.
They do feel cheap but they were £15 so what do you expect?
They clogged up a few times and had to be cleaned, the unit got very very hot! Which was worrying and occasionally I felt them tug my hair a bit but they cut my hair and they've ve done a good job.
Would I normally recommend them? No, probably not but if they are the only clippers left then yes, buy them.
2 more cuts and they've paid for themselves!
I think at last I got lucky and found some Whals with scissors, loads of guides, etc - even a cape(!), available for Argos click and collect on Sunday. Looks good value at £35 compared to most places charging near £100 for any 'in stock' Whals.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8196129
We have these Wahl pet clippers. Not cheap, but excellent quality. Son2 cut the dog a couple of months ago. He did mine last weekend. I now look like Orla, our show cocker. He did himself too. They've now paid for themselves.
They feel better quality than the ones my barber uses, and given what they have to cut, I'm not surprised.
After reading hairdressers won't be opening until at least July 4th I took the plunge and ordered what look to be cheapy Chinese clippers from Amazon (but paid £60, wouldn't surprise me if they used to be £20...), I couldn't find decent named brands ones anywhere (well not in Argos, Currys or John Lewis at least). Going to give it a go over the Bank holiday weekend (assuming my hand mirror arrives in time...), wish me luck :p
I'm contemplating using my beard trimmer. It has a attachment marked up as hair, rather than beard, what could possibly go wrong...
Well, it doesn't look terrible...
@doomanic - looks better than my attempt, but I didn’t think mine was too bad, all things considered, ie, only having one mirror, and not being able to see the back!
Certainly not paying £10 a time for someone else to cut it in the future. 😁
Am looking at trim #3 of the lockdown now. Basically that will have paid for the clippers. It is actually really nice to not end up waiting until my hair gets long enough to annoy before getting it cut.
I'm afraid my barbers has lost my business now for good
I used dog clippers for years until they died. I got some rechargeable clippers to replace them which were terrible.
I now have some double sided ones I got from Boots. I think they're Remington. I do the bulk of the trimming now (no.1 all over) and my wife tidies up with the beard trimmer with no guard.
Eyebrows done with the bear trimmer on setting 4. I've never checked if it is indeed 4mm.
@CountZero it was ok once I decided that one length all over was the order of the day. I too will not be paying a barber in the future.
Should have done this years ago, don't think I'm ever going back to the hairdressers! 🙂
Had a go at mine at the back as it was pissing me off.
Now known as Edmond Blackadder.
I've been doing my own hair for a good couple of years now, I occasionally splash out on a barber cut if going for an interview or something.
I can do 95% of mine, just need someone to clean up my neck etc, I'm normally at a 7 or 9mm all over but today (after no cut for a good while and hair about an inch to inch and a quarter long) it's at 5mm, next time I'll go 3mm all over.
It has the benefit of hiding some of the grey which at 39 I have far too much of!
Tip for everyone - do the cut, have a shower to rinse all the hair out, then go over it again, there's always bits you've missed, stray hairs etc and you'll see loads once you've rinsed your head off.
Ordered some Whal Colour Pro clippers from eBay (finally won some), cost me £40 for a £20 set of clippers but can't find any in stock locally.
Will see how it goes when they turn up.
Fortunately, for general use, "basic" clippers from the quality brands are generally extremely good quality for their price.
These Wahl ones from Argos are good, for example.
I've got an Oster 616 which is a bit fancier and I use it with a 0000 blade for the old bonce. Very nice, but wouldn't bother with the price for anything 1 and above.
Gave mine a once over again this morning, getting easier now, and rather satisfying too.
As nickname said, should have probably done it ages ago. What with cutting mine, and doing my g/f’s hair a couple of times, (second time to tidy up the ham-fisted first effort), my clippers have easily paid for themselves now.
Mu g/f has actually had several people at work comment on how nice it looks, and where did she have it done! 😳
Last haircut was just before lockdown on 23rd. It was getting pretty annoying, had a pretty hefty mullet which would catch in the wind quite effectively when out on the bike!!
Pre clipper cut :
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Post clipper cut :
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Borrowed some clippers off a mate, my wife went over it with a combo of number 8, 6 and 3 combs. Not a bad job!
This is it now though, gonna go shorter and shorter reach time from now on!!
I've just taken delivery of a Braun 3240. So I'll be able to review it tomorrow.
It's gone up £10 on Amazon since I bought it last week...
Talking of Amazon, they wanted £32 for blue Loctite the other day. Prices are seemingly all over the place at the moment. A generic equivalent for £5 and next day delivery seems to be just the ticket.
Managed to get these Philips Clippers from Argos a week ago after they'd been out of stock for a while. Pleased with the results. Mains only but happy with that as many reviews of other clipppers complained about battery life. Nice long cable so no problem.
I bought the Wahl colourcoded clippers for £13 from Argos and they work fine. Did the kids hair to a reasonable standard, then tried to get the Mrs to help with mine which immediately resulted in her nearly cutting my ear off...
So I decided I could do it myself but I can't see the back of my own head so the only logical solution was to grow a mullet. Been growing for about a month now just trimming it in.
We got all our hair cutting stuff from here, clippers, scissors and thinning scissors as recommended by someone in the trade.
https://www.sallybeauty.co.uk/
I got some Panasonic ones as they were all that was available; they have a weird shaped guard but do a good job on my son's (straight) hair, but not so good on my curly barnet where the guard gets in the way of using your hand to pull the hair straight.
Just ordered some £13 Wahl colour ones from Amazon with a hope the traditional shaped guard will work better, but anyone got any tips for curly hair?
You just cut curly hair the same as you would straight. No need to straighten it out. The guard will comb it straight to cut evenly.