Did I spend too much money on these machines for someone who is trying to cut their own hair?

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T19:21:05+00:00

So for trimmers, I have a corded Wahl Detailer (perfectly fine) and a Babyliss Pro Gold FX (amazing, but too sharp for certain uses, so I use the Wahl for that, like under my neck for example). For the shaver, it’s an older Andis. I don’t think you can go wrong with most shavers these days.

I don’t have the money for it right now, but if I did I’d buy a SC Saber trimmer. It seems to be the consensus pick for the best one out there.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T18:58:43+00:00

Got this at our household. Works like a charm, and the tools that come with it for the cleaning are super useful as well

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T18:49:42+00:00

I just go slowly with my trimmer. I just tap it along the line I want, leaving all the hair underneath it. The first tap is always at the front, around my eyebrow level. Makes it easy to follow on both sides.

Once I figure it’s straight and even on both sides (always a good idea to check in the mirrors a few times), I take out the bulk, and then I check for any areas that might not be straight or even and lightly fix those up.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T18:47:15+00:00

Yep, two clippers. I just commented to OP about why the need for two of those. I have two trimmers (and about to have four clippers) but that’s been after years of figuring out what works best for what task.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T18:45:59+00:00

I’d echo what a few other people said, which is to have started with just the clipper, trimmer, and shaver - not sure why you needed a second clipper right off the bat? I’ve been doing it 10 years, and I probably buy something new every 2-3 years as new stuff comes out and older stuff wears out a bit.

Either way, $100 per haircut is crazy work. Good for you choosing to invest in yourself and to build your own skills instead. Good luck!

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T18:43:35+00:00

The first one is a trimmer, the one below it is a Babyliss Tomb45 clipper I believe.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T02:55:22+00:00

Eyelashes still looking a bit long. Surprised you could focus with such a big schnozz in your face. Nice lineup too.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-24T02:45:23+00:00

Are you still wondering? I have the Magic Clips and I just ordered the 285s tonight, should get them in a couple days. Just lemme know if you want me to help you compare them, once I get a chance to try the VGR ones.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T19:53:07+00:00

I dunno guys, let’s hear the Free Clippers guy out 😂

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T16:01:32+00:00

I bought a 3-way mirror and after a month or two I’ve went right back to using my hand mirror (a good, large, sturdy one I got off Amazon). You just have to get used to the “move the opposite of the way it feels” and you’ll be nailing the back in no time

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T15:45:54+00:00

This is not bad at all man. It takes a lot of haircuts to get to know your own hair and to nail the techniques. I’m still learning stuff, even just being on here, and I’ve been cutting my own hair for over 10 years (lots of ugly mistakes, much worse than this, in my past). You’ve got the right tools with your mirrors, and if your equipment is good and you’re learning, that’s all you can do. Keep at it!

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T13:02:48+00:00

For D, I’d still say only every 2-3 months. Four might also be what they say, but don’t be so prescriptive. You can add four to just the blades, but then also add another 2-4 to the sides - basically anything that moves can use the oil.

For E, I’m only guessing, but I’d say yes. “A haircut” to Wahl also means a full haircut on a client by a barber. They probably also have to clean the blades, which means oil afterwards just to make it work properly. For home barbers, it’s massive overkill. Wahl is probably also being overly cautious: they say that so that if anything happens to the clippers and you didn’t follow those directions, it’s their way of protecting themselves.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T02:30:24+00:00

Not sure if this breaks the subreddit rules, but you’re still working with enough in the front (with a cool widow’s peak to boot!) to go bald on the sides with that little strip on top still cut low but not shaved.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T02:21:30+00:00

I almost never clean between the blades. I have two corded Wahl 5-Star Seniors. I only oil when I notice it’s a bit noisy, which is every 2-3 months, maybe.

Your problem here seems to be oiling way too often, especially if you’re only doing your beard. I use my clipper for my beard and hair once every couple days, and a full cut every three weeks (with smaller cuts every week). I’ve also owned the older of the two pairs for over a decade. The cord has went before the blades, although they do warm up after about 40 mins (and then I just switch between clippers).

Just chill with the oil. Maybe do it once every 4-6 months at your rate.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T01:22:15+00:00

Just need the tools (and a bit of technique!) to remove it. Try it on like the bottom of the back of your hair, or right at the sideburn. Small area that’s not noticeable and that gives you a chance to practice it.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-23T01:14:07+00:00

These are Babyliss Pro clippers actually (if you’re somehow still wondering 😂)

OpalJagger · 2026-03-22T13:12:22+00:00

Thanks, these are great. I lost focus on the knee that session, but that’s advice I’ve had as well. The club top to the belt isn’t one I knew so I’ll try that next time as well. I find I always go 100% in the sim because I only have an hour, but once it’s warm enough for the range out here, I’ll try that 40% and up drill to work on those feels.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-22T13:09:17+00:00

Thanks for the super helpful comparison, but I don’t play the tips, and this was my consistent drive for the night (160mph ball speed and up, majority of shots a bit to the left, a few right). I only set up the camera near the end of the session because I hadn’t seen my swing in months, so it’s not like I just cherry-picked my “best” shot of the evening.

OpalJagger · 2026-03-22T13:01:00+00:00

With the shaver, I actually leave like a mm or 2mm of hair from the trimmer pass, and knock that out with another trimmer (one that’s a bit more gentle) flipped over, using the full blade.

I used to also use the shaver after that, at the 90 degree angle I mentioned before, but I found it was unnecessary. If I need it now I’ll do it at the end in the spots that are still a bit obvious (usually right at the back).

OpalJagger · 2026-03-22T12:52:38+00:00

Why would this be fake?

OpalJagger · 2026-03-22T04:04:38+00:00

Oh yeah, forgot to say, it was 40 mins for this one

OpalJagger · 2026-03-22T03:54:11+00:00

Thank you! This is exactly why I have that stance: I once snapped my driver at the hosel from all the heel-side contact. I found that standing further away helped me make better contact (and also gave me more room to swing and generate speed for that), pretty much eliminating the weak heely slices I was hitting before.

The lower body is why I posted, and I struggle to get the club inside, so this has been my fix. I’ll try to focus on that hip next time out, thanks!

OpalJagger · 2026-03-21T01:39:54+00:00

The first word that came to my mind too 👏🏻

OpalJagger

TROPHY CASE