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As the bread-and-butter tool of professional barbers worldwide, those seeking to master the art of their craft must ensure they first master the foundational basics of how to use their hair clippers efficiently. While seemingly rudimentary,  the ability to use hair clippers with precise control and consistency is the key to delivering great haircuts time and time again.  

Clipper Maintenance as a Definite Pre-Requisite

The first step in using your barber clippers like a pro is ensuring that they're always sharp and well-maintained. Dull blades will not only provide subpar results but can also cause tugging and discomfort for your clients. 

To avoid this, make sure you're regularly oiling and cleaning your blades accordingly. Additionally, it's a good idea to invest in high-quality hair clippers you can rely on. While getting an esteemed professional barber clipper may cost more upfront, it will save and make you more money in the long run, so be sure never to scrimp on quality. 

So, now that you’ve taken the proper steps to ensure that your professional clippers are always in good shape, it’s time to get to work. Here are some tips and guidelines to keep in mind that can help you master professional use of your barber clippers: 

Controlling Clipper Levers to Define Hair Texture

The first step you should take is understanding how the clipper lever works and what effect it will have on your cut. The clipper lever is located at the top of your barber clippers, right above the blades. This small switch can be moved up or down to loosen or tighten the tension on the blade. 

When the lever is moved up, the teeth of the blade will open up slightly. This setting is ideal for cutting through thick, dense hair without getting bogged down — perfect when cutting hair with coarser textures. 

Conversely, when the lever is moved down, the teeth of the blade will come together more tightly. This setting, on the flipside, is ideal for cutting through thinner, finer hair without risking snagging or your customer’s discomfort — perfect when cutting hair with delicate strands. In addition, you can also wet your customer’s hair before clipping to reduce risk of your clipper tugging at the hair.

Remember: the key to a great haircut is all in the details. By understanding how to control your clipper levers and making use of it accordingly, you can better ensure each and every cut you perform is executed with greater precision and care.

Clipper Grips for Varying Results

The way you hold your barber clippers will affect everything from the angle of the blade to the amount of pressure you're able to apply, so it's important to know all methods at your disposal and when to use each to achieve a certain desired result. 

The first way to hold your hair clippers is known as the overhand grip. To execute this grip, simply hold the clippers in your dominant hand with the blade facing downwards, towards the floor. This grip is ideal for making quick, sweeping motions across large sections of hair and is often used when cutting a customer's sides or back.  

The second way to hold your hair clippers is known as the underhand grip. To execute this grip, simply flip the clippers so the blade is facing upwards and away from you, and then hold it in your dominant hand. This grip is ideal for making more precise, controlled cuts and is often used when cutting around a customer's hairline or working on intricate details. 

The third and final way to hold your hair clippers is known as the two-handed grip. To execute this grip, hold the clippers in your non-dominant hand with the blade facing downwards, towards the floor. Then, use your other hand to guide it along — similar to how you would use a pair of scissors. This grip is ideal for making extremely precise, controlled cuts and is often used when working on intricate details or sensitive areas such as around the ear. 

Advanced Barber Clipper Techniques

While the basic hair clipper techniques we've covered so far will allow you to execute a perfectly respectable haircut, if you really want to take your skills to the next level, you'll need to learn some advanced techniques as well. 

One such technique is known as point cutting. This involves holding the clippers in an underhand grip and then pointing the blade at a 45-degree angle away from the direction of hair growth. Doing so allows you to create soft, feathered layers that blend seamlessly into the rest of the cut. 

Another advanced technique is known as texturising. This involves holding your barber clippers in either the overhand or two-handed grip and then moving the clippers in quick, small motions against the direction of hair growth. This creates tiny, choppy layers that add texture and volume to the hair. 

The art of blending, too, is a quintessential barber clipper technique to master. This involves holding the clipper in either the overhand or two-handed grip and then moving it in long, sweeping motions against the direction of hair growth. This helps to blend two different lengths of hair together — perfect for transitioning from a shorter cut to a longer one, or vice versa. 

While there is a whole plethora of other advanced clipper techniques you can master that can elevate the results of your cuts, the above three are some you will use the most often as a professional barber in Singapore. Those who wish to explore more advanced techniques can check out our blog. 

Shop Wahl for the Best Barber Clippers

And while that wraps up our list of tips and tricks to mastering the use of professional barber clippers, as aforementioned, it is essential for you to first have a pair of hair clippers you can trust. Shop Wahl’s diverse line-up of barber clippers today, and get your hands on some of the world’s best clippers to master the art of your craft with.