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| Which body clippers to buy? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Mar 17 2012, 11:58 PM (634 Views) | |
| bellaluna | Mar 17 2012, 11:58 PM Post #1 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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So I've decided to body clip Luna this spring - I have small hand held clippers but don't own body clippers. I've body clipped once before but it was a long time ago, so I'm basically a total novice. I'm only going to need to body clip once or twice a year, as she lives out all day (and sometimes all night) so she is un-clipped and blanketed during the winter. She has been body clipped a couple times before but only by a professional. First question is - should I just pay somebody to do this? I like to learn these things and ultimately prefer the most economical way, but I wonder if I'm opening up a can of worms. With that said, while Luna is supposed to be a show horse there would be plenty of time for her coat to grow back in after I clip it so I'm not too worried about ruining it. If not, what clippers do you all recommend? I've read good things here and other places about the Lister Stars, but maybe I would be fine getting something cheaper (and lighter) since I'd only be clipping a handful of times a year? I've heard good things about these Andis clippers Thanks in advance for any suggestions! |
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| jn4jenny | Mar 18 2012, 07:46 AM Post #2 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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There's lots of great clippers on the market, so that's the good news. Most places charge $100 per horse per clip (or more), so it only takes one or two clips for you recoup your investment. I don't think a single horse justifies the investment of the Lister Stars. Don't get me wrong, I think that's the best set of heavy-duty clippers on the market and if I were clipping more than a few horses a year, that's what I'd buy. But when you can get a very serviceable pair of clippers for $120-$140 and you're clipping a single horse, I don't see the point. Whichever clippers you choose, definitely shop around. The horse sites tend to charge out the nose for clippers, but the small animal grooming places don't. For example: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15791&cmpid=06csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=525365523 I like the Andis AGC2 Super-speeds. My friend has a set and uses them to clip her horse once or twice a year. They seem serviceable and have held up well. When I went clipper shopping I thought I would buy a pair just like hers, but ultimately I went with the Wahl Bravura Clippers: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24314&cmpid=01csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&CAWELAID=1264380303 Granted I was partly influenced by getting them for a steal of a price, but I've come to love them because of these features that the AGC2 lacks: 1. I have the Wahl 5-in-1 blade, which can be adjusted to #9, #10, #15, #20, and #30. Given that I own a single horse and am not a heavy duty clipper, I wanted maximum versatility without having to buy five different blades. 2. The Bravura runs corded or cordless. I tend to run it corded if I'm doing a "real clip" but it's nice to use the cordless for whiskers, fetlock trimming, etc. And of course, there's always those couple awkward spots in a "real clip" where you wish you had a cordless. 3. Fairly quiet. The Andis AGC2s aren't what I'd call *loud* but they're not quiet either. The Bravura is pretty darn quiet. 4. The Bravura's engine speeds up when it encounters resistance from a thick haircoat, but if there's less resistance, it goes to a lower engine speed commensurate with the work required. As a result, my Bravuras tend to overheat less often than my friend's Andis AGC2s that don't have this auto-response feature. Yet ironically, the Bravura can actually run faster than the Andis Super-Speeds: 5000 strokes per minute versus the Andis Super-Speed's 4400 strokes per minute. My only gripe with the Bravuras: the power button is in a stupid location right in the middle of the handle. They are comfortable to hold and are contoured so that my tiny girly hands can hold them, but I had to figure out how to hold them without triggering the power button. Don't forget the cost of accessories, like Blade Wash/Kool Lube and a carry case if you're into that sorta thing. If you're doing a trace clip, I also recommend some kind of tape or grease pen to lay out the clip before you start. My trainer likes to use the grease pens they sell at party stores/costume stores--get it in a really obnoxious color like neon green so you won't lose track of the clip line. |
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| Kikki | Mar 18 2012, 12:27 PM Post #3 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I hate those Andis... I bought them when my Laube clippers needed to be replaced and I have been highly disappointed... They just aren't as powerful as the Laube. And I don't like the new design of the Laube clippers. Sigh. I don't want to spend more money on new clippers but I don't know what to do. I'm not the only person who hates them. It seems that people who don't have a ton of experience with other clippers like them fine, but those who have used better clippers find them lacking. I am currently struggling with what to buy next. I'll keep them for trimming and such, but don't care to body clip with them ever again. |
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| Twiceshy | Mar 18 2012, 06:49 PM Post #4 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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BL, I own the Andis clipper you refer to and since Gino must be nose-to-the-ground tranq'd to be clipped, I'm not doing any body clipping. If you'd like to borrow my Andis to try them out you're welcome to. They're gathering dust in my locker at the moment. Having used a larger more powerful clipper to body clip George and the late great Goldie (the Oster Clipmaster), I prefer the speed of the larger motor (gets the job done faster) but the tradeoffs (heavier, louder) are a no-go for me. I think for what you're talking about you'd be fine with the Andis, and Wahl makes a good product too. Oster makes a new lighter weight body clipper to compete with the Andis now as well, but I wasn't impressed enough that I'd give you a recommendation for it. PM me when you're ready to buy!
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| lhunterl | Mar 19 2012, 05:37 AM Post #5 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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When I first started body clipping I bought the Andis Super 2 Speeds. I wanted something light and quiet, and was only planning on clipping my own horse a couple times a year. They certainly are light and mine are very quiet and did a great job for me. However if you have a horse that is quite hairy or has thick coarse hair, they will have a tougher time. Also it takes a good while longer to complete a clip with them than with a larger set of clippers, and I generally needed two blades to complete a clip (they dull pretty quickly). When I started clipping other peoples' horses I bought a pair of Lister Stars. For a bigger clipper they're not too terribly loud, and they're still lightweight and powerful. This year I tried buying a set of Clipmasters to have as a second set - did one body clip with them and I just couldn't stand it. They're so heavy and loud and blow hair all over the damn place. Ugh. The horses seemed to hate them as well. Sold those and bought another set of Lister Stars. I bought both pairs of mine used and didn't pay more than $150 for either of them. I do about 30 clips a season and send them off in the summer to get serviced. Haven't had any problems with them at all, and I can get 7-10 clips out of one blade depending on how clean the horses are. I do still have the Andis that I keep for doing the face and whatever nooks and crannies I can't reach with my Listers - they're fabulous for that. |
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| bellaluna | Mar 19 2012, 11:06 AM Post #6 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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TS-that's such a kind offer, thank you!! I think I will take you up on that! Check your pm's!If they don't work out well then it sounds like it might be worth shopping around for a pair of lister stars (let me know if anyone sees some used ones! Thanks everyone! |
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| Lion1024 | Jun 18 2012, 06:00 AM Post #7 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I'm bumping this back up to see if anyone can report on what they ended up buying and how they liked it. I need to buy a set of clippers. Don't plan on clipping more than my own horse and need something versatile enough it can do a good job with a trim (which is what I will use it for most often) and a body clip (if I get brave enough to do it on my own as I've never done it before - at least hair regrows, right?!) I'm thinking either the Andis recommended above or the Oster A5. Any experience with either? Edited by Lion1024, Jun 18 2012, 06:01 AM.
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| bellaluna | Jun 18 2012, 12:18 PM Post #8 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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I never did end up buying clippers. I borrowed TS's, but they wouldn't start - probably my terrible influence! So at that point I just curried and curried and rode it out. I'll need to revisit this though as I'll probably have to buy some this fall. |
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| Twiceshy | Jun 18 2012, 02:40 PM Post #9 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Yeah - that was quite a testament to the Andis clippers |
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| jillincolorado | Jun 18 2012, 08:31 PM Post #10 |
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You're BANNED!
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I needed to replace my oster Golden A5's this year. They are ten years (plus) old, and although they still work fine, the cord is getting very stiff and brittle from all the abuse the Texas heat (...and age). I started looking in the late late fall (around November I think) and all the local shops were sold out of the Osters and larger body clippers. I opted for the Wahl KM2 clippers. Box claimed they were powerful enough to power through body clipping. I only shaved her mid neck from the jowls down to her shoulder to help cool her off when I was working her in the fall (ahhhh the good old days of pre-hormonal bliss ) THey did a good job but I don't think a full body clip would be possible in a reasonable amount of time with these clippers. Even with the wider clipper blade head I just don't think they are powerful enough for the job. ![]() I would love to try thyr Lister (Wahl I think) but the reviews are pretty mixed. I think I will end up with a big old Oster body clipper and hang on the the KM2's for light duty. |
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| lhunterl | Jun 19 2012, 06:32 AM Post #11 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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I'm still happily body clipping with my Lister Stars and Andis AGC Super 2-Speeds. Just clipped a horse this past Saturday in fact, an hour and 15 minute job. |
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| hijumpin1 | Jun 25 2012, 04:26 PM Post #12 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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I have Oster Groomaster that worked for a year. I broke them trying to change blades(duh). Sent them back to Oster for repair. They had them for 6 months and they came back still broken. They worked well while they lasted. I have the Andis ACG2 clipper now. I don't have anything bad to say...they aren't the most powerful but if your'e on a budget and only doing your horse they are fine. I got mine online from a pet retailer and it was much cheaper than a tack store! |
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If you'd like to borrow my Andis to try them out you're welcome to. They're gathering dust in my locker at the moment.
I think I will take you up on that! Check your pm's!
So at that point I just curried and curried and rode it out. I'll need to revisit this though as I'll probably have to buy some this fall.
) THey did a good job but I don't think a full body clip would be possible in a reasonable amount of time with these clippers. Even with the wider clipper blade head I just don't think they are powerful enough for the job. 
12:04 PM Jul 11