What Are Barber Clippers? A Beginner-Friendly Guide for Barbers

Barber clippers are electric cutting tools used to reduce hair length quickly and evenly. They are one of the core tools in a barber kit and are commonly used for short haircuts, fades, tapers, bulk removal and clipper-over-comb work.

What clippers do

Clippers cut hair using a moving blade against a fixed blade. The motor moves the cutting blade from side to side, allowing hair to be cut as it passes through the teeth.

Clippers are normally used on the head rather than for close detail work around the edges. For sharp outlines, a barber will usually use trimmers.

Main parts of clippers

• Blade: cuts the hair.
• Motor: powers the blade movement.
• Lever: adjusts the cutting length on many adjustable clippers.
• Body: the handle and housing.
• Guard combs: attachments that help control the finished length.

Corded and cordless clippers

Corded clippers run from mains power and can be useful for long cutting sessions. Cordless clippers run from a rechargeable battery and give more freedom of movement. Many barbers use both depending on the service and the working setup.

How barbers use clippers

Clippers can be used with guards, without guards, or over a comb. They are useful for creating controlled lengths, building fade guidelines and removing bulk before refinement.

Good practice

Clippers should be cleaned, disinfected and oiled according to the manufacturer instructions. Blades should be checked for alignment and comfort before use on a client.