After another over priced bad haircut, my husband has decided that he will allow me to cut his hair. He has a crewcut type cut and the stylist was using electric trimmers on it. We are considering buying a Wahl hair trimmer that comes with different size blade covers and a video tape. Has anyone used this brand? Any helpful information would be appreciated!

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), November 11, 2001

Answers

Funny you should post this , I just got done cutting hubbys hair and the 2 girls.I usually just use scissors .I have a set of wahl {sp} clippers and they are worth it .I am usually the only one who goes to get there hair cut .I tried letting hubby trim my bangs once , and never again .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), November 11, 2001.

Cindy, Home haircuts are a cinch and a great way to save money! My boys cut not only each others hair, but several friends-they gather in the garage once a month or so. Anyway, Wahl is a good brand but, if you could afford to spend a little more-say $60-$80 and buy a better brand from a 'beauty supply' store or outlet you won't regret it. The difference in price might seem like alot, but the professional versions are just that, and last for many more years. Plus, the professional grade trimmers have a more powerful motor and give a better haircut. You could always start out with a Wahl, and if you find you have a knack for cutting hair, buy a better model and use the Wahl for the dog!

-- Kathy (catfish201@hotmail.com), November 11, 2001.

In my humble opinion, do not give any one a hair cut that you would not accept the same from!!

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), November 11, 2001.

I have the Wahl hair trimmer - I think I paid $25 for it and I do both my hubby's hair and my youngest sons. It is real easy to use.

My eldest son and I have Alopecia Universalis so we don't have any hair, so I don't have to worry about us.

-- anita in NC (anitaholton@mindspring.com), November 11, 2001.

With 3 girls who wear there hair long I just occasionally trim the ends of there hair, and my oldest daughter trims mine. She does a great job. On my husbands and sons, I do it in between trims at the barber shop, but haven't figured out how to get that really smooth look?? I am not that great but it does extend the need for a real haircut by 3-4 weeks.

-- Melissa (cmnorris@1st.net), November 11, 2001.

A haircut for a man ain't a haircut unless they shave around the ears and the back of the neck. Feels so good.

-- paul (primrose@centex.net), November 11, 2001.

We bought a $20 Oster home barber set with video and two stocking caps (just in case :>) at Wal Mart three years ago and we now refuse to go to an overpriced barbershop. Started out Lynn had us get a store bought haircut and then she would only trim it for a few months. Now she does it all after studying the video. She now can even do a proper military tapered back. That barber set has paid for itself thirty times over. I figure the second haircuts on have been for free. BTW, we never had to utilize the stocking caps on haircut day either.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 11, 2001.

We have a Wahl hair trimmer and the video tape with it. We have had it for at least 10 or 12 years. It has not ever had to be sharpened so far and has given a ton of haircuts! Just follow the rules for oiling and cleaning it and it will last a LOOOOOONG time! I have 3 heavy heads of hair to cut with it and it is great! The video tells how to get that smooth look. It is easy with a little practice. My hubby has only had to wear a ball cap after the first one! heeheehee! The boys haven't ever had to wear a cap with theirs! I have gotten better over the years! Oh...I use a combination of the scissors first(measuring with my middle and pointer fingers for an even cut) then the clippers to taper it up to the top and then use my hubbies electric razor for the side burns and back of the neck. Around the ears I use the mustache attachment on the electric razor. You'll do fine!!!!! And if you booboo the first time....Caps are cheap and in style! heeheehee!

-- Nan (davidl41@ipa.net), November 11, 2001.

I, too, started cutting hubby's hair ... he had two bad barber shop haircuts after we got married, and I have done ALL of them since, and that was almost 28 years ago.

Just wade in and start.

I use scissors, but trim around edges and ears with electric trimmer. Then shave the back of his neck with razor.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), November 11, 2001.

I've been doing my husband for about 8 years now. After the first few, which looked kind of patchy, I learned not to dig in too close. Trim with scissors first till the hair is shorter and you can see the contour of the head. Then use the clippers and go slowly. The only thing my husband always wants me to do and I can't quite duplicate is the area above the nape of the neck - barbers seem to graduate it better than I can do. By the way, from my husband's experience, barbers do a better job than "beauty salons."

-- Christina (introibo2000@yahoo.com), November 11, 2001.

I figured if I can groom dogs, I can cut my son's hair. I'll also trim up my husbands between visits. I use an Oster. If you can, get a trimmer with an adjustable blade. Sometimes those plastic attachments just don't work as well.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), November 11, 2001.

My wife has cut my hair the past 12 years. Every 2 weeks. She does a great job with our home barber kit. The shops here charge 15.00. We have saved over FOUR THOUSAND dollars.

-- Charles Haddon Jr (Buddybud@csranet.com), November 12, 2001.

Mitch Mitch, I cut alot of friends and family hair, and your theory just don't hold water. Funny thought!!Sherry

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), November 12, 2001.

Hey I have cut my own hair since I was about 22 when a barber publically and loudly critisized me for not having my hair cut often enough. Short hair wasnt the style at time (I never was stylish) and he was just used to trimming the fuzz on bunch bald headed old men who only went to barbershop to socialize. Started with Wahl clippers I bought from old small town independent hardware store which lasted me 20 years. Used them until they started to grab and pull hair rather than cut it. Now using $5 no name China import. Shouldnt have to buy another as I mail ordered it and they first sent me clipper without trimming guides. When I complained, they said it wasnt worth mailing it back, to just throw it away and new one on the way. Well I now have 2 clippers (both work as well as the Wahl and one still new)although only one set of trimmer guides. Shouldnt have to buy another set of clippers for long time.

-- hermit john (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), November 12, 2001.

Should add that big secret to getting longevity out of hair clippers is to keep them clean and lubricated with 3in1 (sewing machine oil). I oiled mine before and after every haircut.

-- Hermit John (hermit@hilltop_homestead.zzn.com), November 12, 2001.

I have the Wahl trimmers and cut hubby's hair all the time. Before the Wahl trimmers I had a pair that I bought at a yard sale and used them for years.

-- Grannytoo (jacres40@hotmail.com), November 12, 2001.

I have been cutting my hubby's hair since we were first married 30years ago and couldnt' afford barber shops. I have used scissors and elec. trimmers. The trimmers save an enormous amount of time and make the hair even - without trimming your fingers by mistake. At least I have never cut his ear! When the boys came along, I cut their hair too. When they reached the teen years they said they wanted a "professional cut". I said "fine, you pay for it." They each tried it once. "Mom, they charged me $15.00 and it looks the same as when you do it!" Now, each of them have had their wives cut their hair, too. Trimmers are really worth it. They pay for themselves in no time, especially if there are multiple head to cut.

-- Chris in PA (CLMngs@aol.com), November 12, 2001.

My husband recently decided that if I can show clip horses then I can do his hair.....with my HORSE CLIPPERS! Of course it takes me a long time as a #10 blade will basically give a VERY short military cut it not careful so I'm considering getting some Wahl (or equivalent) clippers to use. Now if I could only get him to let me trim up this beard he's started to grow.....he looks silly with a scruffy, untrimmed beard and a nice haircut. ;o)

-- Lisa (lambrose@summitpolymers.com), November 12, 2001.

I have oster trimmers and do my youngest son's haircuts. So far no one else trusts me much, but I will win them over. I figure I saved enough to pay for the trimmers right away, so its free haircuts from there on out. He is only 5 and isn't as picky as the "big boys". I figure it is good practice. I always cut my own hair. It is long (almost waist length with bangs) I trim the ends myself....and ask a friend to make sure I got it straight..and cut my own bangs. It has been at least 6 years since I have been to a hairdresser.

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), November 12, 2001.

I used to cut my husband's hair but I got tired of him grabbing clumps & saying "Cut this". I told him to cut his own or go to a barber. Fortunately, haircuts are only $7 here. I trim with scissors between barber visits. Both my husband & son have hair that grows wierd & is hard to cut. My daughter & I have long hair that we wear in braids.

-- Bonnie (stichart@plix.com), November 12, 2001.

Thanks everyone for your responses! I checked at Walmart today and they had about 10 different trimmers! I think I will definately get one that has a video with it. I have a pair of barber scissors that I got from Lehmans and they were well worth the price. I have been getting my hair cut short for about 15 years now but won't let anyone clip my bangs (one bad experience was enough) so I have some experience using the scissors. I'm letting it grow a bit now so maybe my DH will get the chance to trim it up for me. He's done my color for years at Salon du Ken (the kitchen)!

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), November 12, 2001.

I think the clippers are definitely the way to go, especially with men's short haircuts the in-style today. My girlfriend usually cuts my hair, with her only complaint that she doesn't know how to blend the hair, resulting in a weightline or definite difference between the clippered section on the bottom half and the longer top section. I've ended up a few times with an all clippered back and sides, but practice makes perfect. Good luck !

-- Jay in Kansas City (tetons1@charter-internet.com), February 26, 2002.

My wife has suggested that she trims my hair. I have agreed as I normally just have a trim. I was suprised to see that she has bought some clippers this week as I do not have that short hair. I asked her and she said that she thought my hair needed to be neater at the back and sides. I am unsure now whether to let her, but she says she is looking forward to it for next week. Shall I ??

-- jas (jason.a.field@tinyworld.co.uk), April 25, 2002.

"Shall I?"

Probably. Should you? Well - that depends. Just let her know, in advance, that after she's finished trimming your hair, you're going to trim hers - and which and how short or fancy and who you tell about it is going to depend a lot on the outcome of her actions.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), April 28, 2002.