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UNDERSTANDING THE MACHINE: CLIPPERS Motorized? Magnetic?

A clipper to some stylists is a very frightening tool; but the clipper is the tool to achieve very short cuts where the fingers cannot hold the hair. There are two different types of clippers: motor driven - rotary clippers, which has detachable blades and magnetic/vibration driven clippers, which have attachments.

The majority of Cosmetologists use the Magnetic/Vibration Driven. Some may go the extra mile and purchase a Motor Driven clipper, but most likely, they are using attachments and not cutting freehand. During my 26 years as a stylist, I have been trained using both clippers. Although I was trained in Cosmetology, I have always favored short hair. Some say it’s easier. I disagree. It is just the opposite. Short hair is a sculpture, a piece of Art. The hair is your medium and the tool I am going to explain which helps achieve this is the clipper.

Magnetic/Vibrator Clippers

This clipper is not as “powerful” as the rotary motors, but the professional clippers are “powerful” enough for daily cutting. The magnetic clipper, which comes very close to the motor driven, is the Senior by Wahl. With the blade vibrating, it has a blunter edge than the motor driven…clipper over comb is not recommended.

In reality, the attachment is the comb
  • Sizes of Guards (Comb Attachment)
  • 1/2 – 1/16″,
  • 1 – 1/8″,
  • 1 – 1/2 – 3/16″,
  • 2 – 1/4″3 – 3/8″,
  • 4 – 1/2″,
  • 5 – 5/8″,
  • 6 – 3/4″,
  • 7 – 7/8″,
  • 8 – 1″.

The magnetic clippers follow head shape. The average cost of magnetic clippers ranges from $30 to $125. The attachments come with the clippers. When I began cutting hair in the early 90s, clipper attachments only went to 4, but now in 2021 they range from 8-10 Guards.

Motor Driven - Rotary Clippers

This clipper has a strong engine going on underneath where your hand is holding. The power of this clipper and having the blade rotate back and forth gives it a softer blending of the edge. You can use this on wet or dry hair. With the motor being so powerful it cuts through wet hair with total ease.

  • Detachable Metal Blade Sizes
  • 00000 – 1/125″
  • 0000 – 1/100″
  • 000 – 1/50″
  • 0A – 3/64″
  • 1 – 3/32″
  • 1A – 1/8″
  • 1.5 – 5/32″
  • 2 – 1/4″
  • 3.5 – 3/8″
  • 3.75 – ½.

Even though it has detachable blades, this machine works its beauty in freehand cutting (Clipper over Comb). The most popular rotary clipper is the Oster 76. The average cost of this type of clipper ranges from $150 – $400. Each detachable blade averages $25-35 for each one. When you purchase the rotary clipper, most likely it will come with a 000 & 1 Blades. You will need to purchase the rest of the detachable blades.

Recap:

Magnetic – Powerful (vibration). Is made for attachments. This clipper is not recommended for clipper over comb because of the blunter edges it leaves when hair is cut. Made to follow the head shape.

Motor Driven | Rotary – Powerful motor, blades move back and forth. It can use clipper over comb especially to remove large quantities of bulk. It can be used on wet or dry hair. Is made for clipper over comb.

Now, I know there is a lot on YouTube and such, but to really grasp how to use this machine or any tools in the hair industry, you will need “Hands On” classes. You need to make mistakes in front of an Expert to Learn. A video is not going to that for you.

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Created By
Adriane L Beveridge
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