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The fading issue with cheaper clipper blades I keep seeing

I've noticed a lot of newer barbers in my area using budget clippers that go dull after just 2 months. I bought a set of Wahl blades for $25 last spring and they still cut clean, while my friend's $10 knockoffs are already skipping. Has anyone else tested the lifespan difference between brands like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancyn691mo agoTop Commenter

Ngl though, how often are they actually replacing those $10 blades?

the_thea1mo ago

Those $10 knockoffs are doing exactly what they're supposed to do though. Paying $25 for a brand name blade that lasts a year is great but not everybody needs that kind of lifespan. A lot of barbers starting out are better off buying a $10 blade every two months for a year than dropping $35 on a premium one right away, especially if they're still figuring out their technique and might mess up a blade anyway. And honestly those cheap ones cut fine when they're fresh, the fading just comes faster which for some people is a trade off they're totally fine with.

the_wendy1mo ago

The $10 blades don't fade faster though, they just don't cut as clean from the start. I've tried a few and they tug more on coarse hair, which matters when you're doing a full head. @the_thea I get the point about beginners not wanting to wreck an expensive blade, but buying a cheap one that gives a worse cut from day one doesn't help them learn proper technique either. Better to grab a midrange $15 blade that actually glides and lasts 4-5 months.