Cutting hair with electric clippers

[Clariman]

Since March I've been using electric clippers to cut my hair. Before that the barber used a clippers set to 4 or 5 to do the back and sides, but a scissor cut on top. Since March I've just used the clippers at 4. This makes the sides and back a bit closer in than I would like but I would need 4 for what remains on top. So my question ... would it look daft to use 4 on top but 5 everywhere else?

Thanks
C

[kiloran]

Don't worry about it. Even if it does look daft, with so many people wearing masks you won't know if they are laughing at you or not

--kiloran

[swill453]

Since March I've been using electric clippers to cut my hair. Before that the barber used a clippers set to 4 or 5 to do the back and sides, but a scissor cut on top. Since March I've just used the clippers at 4. This makes the sides and back a bit closer in than I would like but I would need 4 for what remains on top. So my question ... would it look daft to use 4 on top but 5 everywhere else?

I kind of think it might look a bit strange. In my experience it's more typical to have it shorter at the back and sides than on top.

I used to go for 3 on top and 2 back and sides, now it's more like 2 on top and 1 back and sides. Though my clippers aren't numbered as such, they've got an adjustable comb marked in millimeters.

Scott.

[Dod101]

My barber just 'tidies it up' at least that is my instructions to her. My father in law used to say that the difference between a good haircut and a bad one is about a week, so do not worry.

Dod

[GrahamPlatt]

A Northern phrase for someone who’s a bit ‘strange’ is “He cuts his own hair”.

[Clariman]

Thanks. I just went with a 4 all over. Hope Mrs C did a better job than last time. It didnt matter before, but now I'm sometimes seen outside the house.

[AlumniLawn]

Started on four all over a number of years ago. Have since progressed (regressed?) to no guard at all.

Close to the wood but a lovely shine.

[todthedog]

The difference between a good and a bad haircut?

About a month

[stevensfo]

In my defence, I have a mole on the back of the neck close to the hair and have been terrified of a barber cutting it from a young age so jumped at the chance of using electric clippers myself.

I use a 15mm setting for the back and sides, a 17mm for the front, and it works very well. Sometimes I have a careful look and feel after a shower and go over it again. It's surprisingly easy to miss a bit. I also use a nosehair thingy to tidy up around the ears. What has surprised me over the years is how hair grows at different rates on parts of the head. I have a patch behind my right ear that grows twice as fast as the rest. Since I sleep on my right side, I assume it's all due to temperature.

..... though perhaps I should try washing the pillow cases more often?


Steve

[AleisterCrowley]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the grades are eighths of an inch, so a number 3 is 3/8", a number 4 is 4/8" (1/2") and so on
Grade : mm
1-----3.2
2----- 6.4
3----- 9.5
4 ----- 12.7
5 ----- 15.9
6 ----- 19.1
7 ----- 22.2
8 ----- 25.4

(I have a '12.7mm all over')

[swill453]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the grades are eighths of an inch, so a number 3 is 3/8", a number 4 is 4/8" (1/2") and so on
Grade : mm
1-----3.2
2----- 6.4
3----- 9.5
4 ----- 12.7

That makes sense. My clippers have an adjustable comb marked 3/6/9/12 etc.

Scott.

[Mike4]

A Northern phrase for someone who’s a bit ‘strange’ is “He cuts his own hair”.

Down here we say "He drinks his own bath water"...

[absolutezero]

I think (correct me if I'm wrong) the grades are eighths of an inch, so a number 3 is 3/8", a number 4 is 4/8" (1/2") and so on

This is correct.

[absolutezero]

I go over mine with a 9mm (Not the handgun). Then pull the hair on the top of my head to one side with the palm of my hand and go up the opposite side with a 6mm. Repeat for other side and back. I have 2 graded guards for round my ears. Then I take a 4 mm and do the side burns and my eyebrows. Finally I take the guard off run the flat my hand down the back of my head and use the fore finger as a level for finishing of the back.

No bother.

The back is the hard bit.
I just do a number 10 (yes, ten) all over.

[absolutezero]

A number 10?

Do you just lie in front of a council grass cutter?

Except for the bit at the back.

[1nvest]

I have one of the rotary style clippers, that you just 'roll' around your head for a while for a even cut all over. Even on the highest (longest) level however it is a bit short, but that's fine with me as a week later its about the length I would prefer.



Haven't been to a barber for years, and increasingly having even less need to do so.

[MaraMan]

There are a few helpful guides to cutting your own hair with clippers on YouTube. Came in useful during lockdown.

MM

[Scott0966]

I tried it once on myself without disastrous results though just tend to stick to a 3 or 4 all over now. If someone else does it it's a lot easier as my kids didn't fancy the one length so I used to use a different length for the top and sides with them.

[Mike88]

I tried using a number 4 all over and discovered bald spots I didn't know I had. However, these clippers are great and now I know how to use them I will never visit a hairdresser again.