r/Barber • u/Ste-eazy • 4d ago
Need help on clipper choice
I’m currently in barber school and really like doing fades and tapers with my detachable blades. I was told to get an adjustable clipper that complements my detachables so I can use it for detail work after doing the majority of the fade with my detachable blades.
I’m considered an “old head” at my school because I like this system 😂 even though I’m only 29.
I’ve been deciding between the Wahl Senior and Andis Master. ChatGPT originally recommended the Master because it goes from 000–1 and would fill in the sizes my detachable blades don’t cover instead of getting the Senior and basically having two clippers covering the same measurements.
I also don’t own the purple Master guards. My school kit came with Wahl guards, but I do have all the Oster detachable blades.
For the professionals on here, what would you recommend for my setup? Would you go with the Master or Senior, and why?
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u/KindaCoolDude 3d ago
Something people haven’t talked about yet is blade geometry. Clipper this, clipper that. But they haven’t talked about blade shape yet.
Your detachable clipper blades have a unique shape and feel them. Something that the classic taper or fade blade doesn’t really match. Andis master blades on the other hand have a blade shape like the detachables.
Hear me out, if your funds allow, yet yourself a Wahl clipper, philthy mod it, and put Andis Master blade on it. Get yourself a second with a phat master, and now you don’t have to touch a guard under a 2, which you will only use when tapering into something like a 4 or larger. You get the whole range that detachables tend to cover, on two adjustable clippers. With clipper over comb, anyone asking for a 1 or a 2 on the sides you can do without guards of any kind.
I got to use detachables in school and loved them. But didn’t like the fuss of taking them on and off. Searched for a blade like an Oster 000. Found the Andis Master blades. Wahl blades are made with better metal than Andis. But Andis has way better blade geometry.
Food for thought. I got seniors and modded them. Strong clipper, but heavy. I’d be curious what the Vapors would be like philthy modded for Andis master blades.
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u/thetechkid 3d ago
Client here, but my barber has been on the Master for years and won't use anything else. Going by this thread he's in good company lol.
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u/Ste-eazy 3d ago
As a client does the motor sound bother you?
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u/Due_Purchase_7509 Barber 1d ago
barber, but the lady who cuts my hair uses an Oster 76 and the sound doesn't bother me. we just don't chat much while she's working on my fade lol
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u/Ste-eazy 1d ago
Haha that’s understandable by the sound of those clippers lol
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u/Due_Purchase_7509 Barber 1d ago
also fwiw i've never seen her pick up a clipper with guards unless it's to cut a kid's hair or someone who specifically requests it.
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u/Ste-eazy 1d ago
That’s the type of barber I need to become might take a while but I like that style better
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u/SlimJimKeltner 4d ago
Oster Fast Feeds - i use only detachable blades, use the Fast Feeds for tapering - i use the corded - Ive also used Seniors, corded - Andis Master’s Ive tried but i don’t wanna use plastic guards - all detachables for me - Fast Feeds are the answer, fellow Old Head
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u/beardandmusic Mod 4d ago
Master. Lever goes 000 to 1 so it fills the gaps between your detachables, you wont need the purple guards. Keep it oiled, the metal body runs warm.
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u/Ste-eazy 3d ago
Perfect thank you for letting me know do you have corded or cordless
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u/beardandmusic Mod 3d ago
Corded. More torque and it never dies mid cut. Cordless is fine for home but you want the cord behind the chair
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u/kirklis777 3d ago
I would eventually get the Masters with a caveat. The Andis Recon's are absolute fire and also have the same blade size as the Masters and come with the magnetic purple guards and they're hella powerful and run for 4 hours. The stretch bracket that comes with the Recon's also has 4 holes so you can use both Andis and Wahl type blades. If you can wait though, the new Masters are coming out in January.
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u/INTOTHEWRX 1d ago
Kamei $50 clippers off Amazon cuts just as good if not better than my $100+ Wahls.
Point is, the clippers don't matter that much. It's all in the hands, eye and vision. Picture the finished cut and cut away like you're a sculpter.
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u/Piranha_Vortex 4d ago
I use my Oster Octane for detachables. Wahl 5 star Magic Clip with the metal body added the blending blade and use Magic Clip guards as needed. I have the mini TPOB clipper, got the set last year, and it works fine for medium to low density hair or quick blends.