Thread: What to use as Beard trimmer

Originally Posted by 32t

And miss the opportunity to spend thousands on tools to sharpen a $4.00 antique?

Do I sense sarcasm good sir?
Is this not a place dedicated to a classic means of personal grooming?
Some would argue that shaving with a straight razor is an "antique" way of shaving.
Matt Raine is a MASTER BARBER and he uses a pair of self-sharpening hand clippers because people LIKE the classic feel of them.
I don't know about you, but that's why I'm interested in straight shaving, because I prefer a more classic means of doing things.

Does anyone have a non-sarcastic answer?

I did some research, here's a real answer for anyone interested:

Hair clippers are designed to be self-sharpening. As the metal blades glide past each other they rub together, continually honing a sharp edge as you cut. Nonetheless, under some conditions, clippers can get dull. If the blade is not oiled and cleaned regularly or if it corrodes, it can become dull.

Just take the blades off and brush away and dirt or hair, then scrub it with rubbing alcohol if there's any rust on them. Put the blades back on and run the blades for five minutes or so.

Basically, you do it the exact same way that you would an electric trimmer.

Originally Posted by kwlfca

I did some research, here's a real answer for anyone interested:

Hair clippers are designed to be self-sharpening. As the metal blades glide past each other they rub together, continually honing a sharp edge as you cut. Nonetheless, under some conditions, clippers can get dull. If the blade is not oiled and cleaned regularly or if it corrodes, it can become dull.

Just take the blades off and brush away and dirt or hair, then scrub it with rubbing alcohol if there's any rust on them. Put the blades back on and run the blades for five minutes or so.

Basically, you do it the exact same way that you would an electric trimmer.

Please show your research. I can understand how the blades would wear together and become a matched set but anyone that would claim that they are self sharpening would be a fraud. One fun thing for me with these antiques is the claims that salesmen made about their products.

Originally Posted by 32t

Please show your research. I can understand how the blades would wear together and become a matched set but anyone that would claim that they are self sharpening would be a fraud. One fun thing for me with these antiques is the claims that salesmen made about their products.

Google "how to sharpen hair clippers"

I'm actually most surprised that someone as knowledgeable as yourself was not already aware that most clippers and scissors of high quality are in fact self sharpening. In addition to my own research (from which I ALWAYS confirm with as many sources as possible to collaborate all of the facts), the master barber Matt Raine http://mrnatty.com/ states that his are self sharpening.

Here, I'll even do all of the work for you.

How to Sharpen Hair Clippers (with pictures) - wikiHow
How do you sharpen hair clippers
How To Sharpen Hair Clipper Blades | Cool Men's Hair
How to Sharpen Hair Clippers | eHow.com

Here are some chaps that will even do it for you Clipper Sharpening | Clipper Blade Sharpening | Blade Sharpening | Sharpening Service

Always glad to be of service!

Originally Posted by Mcbladescar

I'm told my Oster is "self sharpening" I cant confirm that though and even though mine is quite old (about 1958 or so) it still cuts really well.
The side of the clipper has a large screw which secures a spring that you can unscrew a bit and the relieve some of the tension force required to squeeze it so mind operates quite easily. It is kinda fun to use.

Mike

After some investigating, I would have to agree that they are self sharpening, especially if they are Oster clippers. As long as you keep them clean and oiled, they will stay sharp.
If they are a bit far gone, you can also sharpen them on a honing stone...there are many videos on youtube that demonstrate this.

I've made a bid on ebay for a vintage Oster hand clippers that I will restore. I'll be sure to post my results!

When we decide to use old classic things as a regular part of our lives we usually do it because we feel it's a better way. It might be fun it drive around in a 1932 Packard now and then but you wouldn't want to commute to work every day in one. Most of us use straights because it gives a better shave and can be cheaper. Those old clippers were not better and in the end not really cheaper. I had my hair cut by them on a regular basis and I say good riddance to those.

My opinion of course.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

When we decide to use old classic things as a regular part of our lives we usually do it because we feel it's a better way. It might be fun it drive around in a 1932 Packard now and then but you wouldn't want to commute to work every day in one. Most of us use straights because it gives a better shave and can be cheaper. Those old clippers were not better and in the end not really cheaper. I had my hair cut by them on a regular basis and I say good riddance to those.

My opinion of course.

I agree! Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I also believe that everyone's opinions and preferences should be respected. I got the impression that some of the posters in this thread seem to find an interest in the hand trimmer to be silly, I hope that I am wrong though. I personally find them to be neat. This may or may not have something to do with Mr. Natty using them
I know that I can't be the only one to find them interesting! Hopefully I win the Oster clippers that I bid on ($15 including shipping), if I do, I'll be sure to post my restoring results!

I'm determined to get them perfectly smooth

Originally Posted by kwlfca

Google "how to sharpen hair clippers"

I'm actually most surprised that someone as knowledgeable as yourself was not already aware that most clippers and scissors of high quality are in fact self sharpening. In addition to my own research (from which I ALWAYS confirm with as many sources as possible to collaborate all of the facts), the master barber Matt Raine Mr Natty states that his are self sharpening.

Here, I'll even do all of the work for you.

How to Sharpen Hair Clippers (with pictures) - wikiHow
How do you sharpen hair clippers
How To Sharpen Hair Clipper Blades | Cool Men's Hair
How to Sharpen Hair Clippers | eHow.com

Here are some chaps that will even do it for you Clipper Sharpening | Clipper Blade Sharpening | Blade Sharpening | Sharpening Service

Always glad to be of service!

Nothing in your examples proves your point of self sharpening blades. If anything they prove mine.

From what I can see is that if you keep your blades clean and oiled they will last longer but when they get dull if you can't sharpen them yourself get a sharpening service to do it for you.

You keep referring to a Natty Master Barber Raines or whatever he wants to call himself and I thought I should call a friend of mine who is a retired Master Barber for his opinion.

When I asked if there was such a thing as a self sharpening clipper his answer was "No".

I asked him how long he could get from a set of clipper blades. He said there were to many variables to give a definite answer. Some blades were made of better steel and lasted longer. The type of hair being cut made a difference. BUT, the biggest difference was what was in the hair. Dirt, sand, he has never seen gravel! He remembers being mad when he broke a tooth from a new set hitting a piece of steel on a guy that worked in a machine shop.

Although he has never cut hair with a hand powered clippers he brought up a good point in that with an electric set in one minutes running time they would have more motions/cycles and therefore wear than with a hand powered set in a whole hair cut.

There was much more to our conversation including our annual spring fishing trip but that that should be enough.

Tim

Originally Posted by 32t

Nothing in your examples proves your point of self sharpening blades. If anything they prove mine.

From what I can see is that if you keep your blades clean and oiled they will last longer but when they get dull if you can't sharpen them yourself get a sharpening service to do it for you.

You keep referring to a Natty Master Barber Raines or whatever he wants to call himself and I thought I should call a friend of mine who is a retired Master Barber for his opinion.

When I asked if there was such a thing as a self sharpening clipper his answer was "No".

I asked him how long he could get from a set of clipper blades. He said there were to many variables to give a definite answer. Some blades were made of better steel and lasted longer. The type of hair being cut made a difference. BUT, the biggest difference was what was in the hair. Dirt, sand, he has never seen gravel! He remembers being mad when he broke a tooth from a new set hitting a piece of steel on a guy that worked in a machine shop.

Although he has never cut hair with a hand powered clippers he brought up a good point in that with an electric set in one minutes running time they would have more motions/cycles and therefore wear than with a hand powered set in a whole hair cut.

There was much more to our conversation including our annual spring fishing trip but that that should be enough.

Tim

We clearly aren't going to agree, which is fine. I have also asked some professionals. Some say yes, clippers and scissors of good quality self-sharpen and some didn't know anything about it. This is also something that is taught to high school cosmetology kids.
In regards to "Mr. Natty", his name is Matt Raine and he is a classically trained master barber from England. He is a "celebrity" barber of sorts. He has had shops both in London and in New York city and also does pop-up shops all around the world. He created his own products for men because he, as well as his clients, were tired of all the perfumey products out there these days for men. Mr Natty
Check those out if you're interested. I speak from experience when I say that he really does make really great products.

Let's just agree to disagree about the self-sharpening bit.

(I'll, however, respectfully ask you to refrain from going about calling my information fraudulent.)
I believe that you are just as right as I am and I won't be so disrespectful as to discredit what you're saying...I just ask that you do the same.

I'll respect your opinion, you respect mine.

It's clear that there is some small bits of unnecessary tension between us, but, let's put that aside.
There is no need, we are gentlemen.
You're as entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.

Have a great evening Tim!

I agree that we disagree. That of course creates friction. If you prove that I am wrong I will humbly change my stance.

I can agree to disagree with opinions such as yours that Mr Natty is great. For example blue is prettier than red.

But a claim that clippers are self sharpening is a fact that should be able to be backed up with evidence.

It is getting late so I will wish you a good night rather than evening!

Tim