A big-time money saver!

I grew up never having visited a barbershop.  My mother had a Wahl hair clipper set that she used to keep her 3 sons and husband neatly trimmed.  After a time of being out on my own and paying $15 for a simple haircut, I decided that, with a little help from my soon-to-be wife, I could probably cut my own hair just as well, and save the $15 each time.  When it came time to choose the tool to help in my quest, the decision was simple.  I went straight for the Wahl clipper, just like Mom had always used.

My investment in the kit was about $25.  Based upon my quick calculations, this clipper kit has easily saved us around $2000.00 (and counting) over the past 8+ years we have been using it (estimated 15 cuts/year x $15/cut x 8 years – that’s just my own haircuts; not including our kids’ and father-in-law’s haircuts).  Not a bad return on investment, eh?  If only all of my other investments would provide such a return…

The Wahl kit includes the corded electric clipper, clipper blade oil, a variety of clipper guide/comb attachments (these dictate the length of cut – 1/8” to 1”), blade storage guard,  2 plastic barber combs, plastic apron, scissors, and a cleaning brush, all in a sturdy plastic case.  Wahl stand behind the product with a 5-year warranty, but it seems that the warranty could be 25 years, and you would likely never need it.

The clipper itself is approximately 6” long and 2” wide.  I would estimate it to weigh 1 pound.  It’s tapered for easy handling, and provides a nice feel of balance and control.

Operation of the clipper is very simple.  Just flip the power switch and the blade starts moving.  A lever on the side of the clipper allows you to slightly change the position of the blade for more precise trimming control.  Choose which of the guide lengths you want for a specific portion of your head (I use 1” on top, 3/8” on sides and back, and 1/8” trim at neck and sideburn area), and begin cutting.  The guides help keep the cut at a consistent length.

I prefer my hair to be rather short (though not a “buzz cut”), and I am able to complete an entire cut without using a scissors.  In fact, I do nearly the entire haircut myself with only a minute’s worth of trim work by my wife on my neck area and around the back/top of my head (the areas I can’t easily see) to be sure it is straight.  So, in addition to the money saved, I save myself the time and hassle of having to set up and make time for an appointment at a barbershop or salon.  In fact, after years of my wife bragging that I cut my own hair, my father-in-law has decided to “let us” cut his hair as well.  I generally “let her” take care of this duty, though.

Very little maintenance on the clipper is required.  Brush/blow the cutting head clean after use, and occasionally oil the self-sharpening steel blade.  I typically do this with every other use.

I was a little worried about how our sons would handle haircuts once they were old enough to require it, and I have to say they both handle it surprisingly well.  They both giggle a bit because the vibrating and humming of the clipper in action “tickles” them.  Rather than being something scary that’s cutting a part of their body, we make it something that’s fun and “tickley.”  But they are little and their sit-time is very limited, so I have to make quick work of the job.

I cannot say enough about the value of the Wahl clipper to our family.  Again, we have saved literally thousands of dollars thanks to this product, paired with a do-it-yourself attitude.