Haircut on my own..

[The Geordie Shaver]

I find a rechargeable trimmer best for me for two reasons , one , I don’t have a shaving socket in the bathroom and two , the lead always seems to get in the way .
Both mine came with the usual paraphernalia, guards , combs , scissors etc which I don’t use at all , I always use the unguarded blade , have been for about five years or so .

 

[TobyC]

Thanks - what about comb compatibility? What type of comb does the Super Taper take and which models are compatible? Looks like the standard ones have a half-round ear at the bottom centre.

They come with a generous selection of combs, even the angled ones, and I've never needed to use anything that didn't come with it. The only "parts" that I keep from the old ones are the little cleaning brushes.

Mine looks like THIS (this has ended but you can still view the listing)

I don't know if they still make them exactly like that, but the insides are very simple and they probably just change the look of the plastic housing every now and then to look "modern".

 

[TobyC]

The rechargeable ones don't last very long, the battery dies, long charging time too. I like cordless, you can walk outside to cut your hair without an extension cord, and keep all the hair out of your bathroom. But when they start to get old they die part way through the haircut and you need to charge them for hours before you can cut the rest!

 

[TobyC]

These are out of stock on the website, but if you can find them at a store somewhere it's a great deal.

https://wahlusa.com/products/home-cut-combo-79450.html

 

[les24preludes]

Just bought a used Super Taper, so I'm in the game. Need some extra combs/guards like #6, #8, #12 maybe.

Should I buy the original Wahl, or do compatible ones work OK?

 

[slapo]

I've been using Philips hair clippers for over 8 years now, I'm on my second one (HC9450/13). The first one had been cutting fine, but the battery wasn't holding much of a charge anymore. I've had the second one for over three years now and it's still great. I generally use it once a month for an even trim. I've gone down from 4cm to 2cm over the years as there's less and less to trim .

 

[les24preludes]

Re: Super Taper. It comes with 1-4. I need #12 for the top. I suppose #8 would fill in between, as the lever should give some flexibility.

 

[TobyC]

Just bought a used Super Taper, so I'm in the game. Need some extra combs/guards like #6, #8, #12 maybe.

Should I buy the original Wahl, or do compatible ones work OK?

I don't know.

 

[Francorelli]

Just bought a used Super Taper, so I'm in the game. Need some extra combs/guards like #6, #8, #12 maybe.

Should I buy the original Wahl, or do compatible ones work OK?

Good choice on the Super Taper. I'd go with original Wahl combs, with steel clips if possible.

Look after the clippers by keeping the blades oiled and every so often dismantle and clean the blades to remove accumulated hair. The Super Tapers should last for years if you do that.

 

[les24preludes]

There's a good video on YT about servicing a Super Taper. It's a popular model.

But a question for experienced clipper users before I start. My hair is very flat and straight - I still have enough and no bald patches though it's receding a bit. So do I need to "stand it up" in some way to use a clippers? Like washing it and towelling it semi-dry so it stands up in a spiky way? I've ordered combs 6, 8 and 12 as well as the 1-4 that comes with it. My idea right now is #12 on top but what sort of results do I get if the hair is lying totally flat? Does this matter? How to transition down a bit on the sides is going to be something that will require research and practise! I don't go out these days so it's just myself I have to please when I look in the mirror, but it would be nice not to be a total skinhead.....

 

[Chris]

I find a rechargeable trimmer best for me for two reasons , one , I don’t have a shaving socket in the bathroom and two , the lead always seems to get in the way .
Both mine came with the usual paraphernalia, guards , combs , scissors etc which I don’t use at all , I always use the unguarded blade , have been for about five years or so .

I used to do that then made the jump to just shaving it. There’s not a massive difference from unguarded to shaven and now I just run the razor over my head when I’m shaving.

 

[Cristobal]

There's a good video on YT about servicing a Super Taper. It's a popular model.

But a question for experienced clipper users before I start. My hair is very flat and straight - I still have enough and no bald patches though it's receding a bit. So do I need to "stand it up" in some way to use a clippers? Like washing it and towelling it semi-dry so it stands up in a spiky way? I've ordered combs 6, 8 and 12 as well as the 1-4 that comes with it. My idea right now is #12 on top but what sort of results do I get if the hair is lying totally flat? Does this matter? How to transition down a bit on the sides is going to be something that will require research and practise! I don't go out these days so it's just myself I have to please when I look in the mirror, but it would be nice not to be a total skinhead.....

I have straight hair, and wash them before the haircut, so that they are semi-dry.

On top of my skull, they are about 2-3cm long and naturally stand up almost vertically. At the moment, I just use the (normal) comb as a guide for the height/length and cut what is above with the clipper. When hair were longer, I just cut against the grain with the 3cm (or so) comb guide, that method takes several passes to cover the top and was good enough to thin the hair as my haircut is some kind of crew cut.

I think that you have to find out by trial and error what will work for you.

 

[Cristobal]

Since we are talking about haircut...

 

[TobyC]

There's a good video on YT about servicing a Super Taper. It's a popular model.

But a question for experienced clipper users before I start. My hair is very flat and straight - I still have enough and no bald patches though it's receding a bit. So do I need to "stand it up" in some way to use a clippers? Like washing it and towelling it semi-dry so it stands up in a spiky way? I've ordered combs 6, 8 and 12 as well as the 1-4 that comes with it. My idea right now is #12 on top but what sort of results do I get if the hair is lying totally flat? Does this matter? How to transition down a bit on the sides is going to be something that will require research and practise! I don't go out these days so it's just myself I have to please when I look in the mirror, but it would be nice not to be a total skinhead.....

Lay the guard flat on your head and push against the grain, several times, you'll get it once you start.

 

[les24preludes]

Well, I used my Super Taper with guard #12 and the results were excellent. This is pretty much all I need Just ran the guard all over my head from various angles and I think it looks fine. This is certainly the answer to home haircuts. Don't need a barber anymore!

The Wahl is great. Mine was corded - paid £58 and then a bit more to get other guards. This will save me money!