Whal Balding clipper or the S4 Headblade

• Whal Balding clipper or the S4 Headblade by stemikger on 16 Mar, 2010 16:32
• Hey guys,
  
  Since coming back here recently and doing the clipper cut with the Remington Shortcut and Precession (without the guard), I am now thinking about kicking it up a notch and taking the 30 day challenge.
  
  I was thinking about either getting the Whal balding clipper or the new Headblade Shadow.  I know the Whal would not get as close, but I have read some reviews on Amazon that it gets pretty darn close.  I know most of you guys swear by the Headblade, but does anyone of any experience with this clipper.
  
  Thanks for any advice you may have.
• #1 by buddha on 16 Mar, 2010 17:34
• I have 2 clippers, a Wahl (kinda basic, not a balding clipper) and a Conair Chopper. I use them now for goatee maintainence because my hair (what's left of it) never gets long enough to use them anymore.
  
  The S4 looks like a neat machine. I think that the same end can be accomplished with a HB Sport, Classic, or Ghost for about 1/6 the cost. I might give consideration to the S4 if I'm ever rollin' in dough but for now I'll stick with my plastic models. I've never had a problem with any of them. It seems that the configuration is the same so the end result should be the same as well.
• #2 by Magoo on 16 Mar, 2010 21:03
• never used the balding clipper but have read it cuts close but tends to ...bite  ya !
• #3 by stemikger on 16 Mar, 2010 22:02
• Thanks Magoo.  I used to cut hair for a living, so that shouldn't be an issue, but I know what you mean, if you don't hold them flat you could get nicked.
  
  Thanks Buddha for the money saving tips.  However, the S4 looks so damn cool and I would keep it forever, so it might be worth the investment to get the high-end one.
• #4 by Tyler on 16 Mar, 2010 23:18
• The S4 is AWESOME!  I didn't think it would offer much more advantage over the Sport, but it does!  The weight of it really makes shaving even easier.  It takes about a week to get used to the weight, but in the end it does.
• #5 by Polarbear on 17 Mar, 2010 03:55
• Stemikger,
  
  I use the Wahl Balding Clipper. I think it's a very good clipper, and it's not dangerous or whatsoever
  
  It will not be as short as the Headblade. Most people will see you as bald anyway, but if you really want to be smooth I suggest a razor.
  
  
• #6 by stemikger on 17 Mar, 2010 06:56
• Polarbear, does the Whal Balder get closer then a regular clipper without the attachment or is there not much of a difference.
  
  Also, thanks for all the input from everyone else.
• #7 by Polarbear on 17 Mar, 2010 08:24
• There is only a slight difference, but there is a difference. It is closer, but we are talking less than 1 millimeter here I think it's a wonderful tool though. If you're planning to trim your head regularly, why not buy the Wahl? I have bought it especially for that. I used to trim with a regular clipper, which was also fine. But the Wahl gets a little bit closer
• #8 by tomgallagher on 17 Mar, 2010 09:12
• I use the Wahl and Polar Bear is right on.
• #9 by Hook'Em on 17 Mar, 2010 09:23
• i have a couple of the wahl balding clippers. They get you damn close to blade, my best guess is takes you down to about 1 1/2 days of growth. We're talking t-shirt sticking stubble. When i used them to trim my hair  i would turn it over (like your cutting a line on sideburns) and found that got the closest. You'll look bald to anyone looking at you. And i never even scratched my head with them.
• #10 by The Noggin on 17 Mar, 2010 09:56
• Quote from: Tyler on 16 Mar, 2010 23:18

  The S4 is AWESOME!  I didn't think it would offer much more advantage over the Sport, but it does!  The weight of it really makes shaving even easier.  It takes about a week to get used to the weight, but in the end it does.
  

  That's my feeling, too.
  
  Plus, there's also a little bit of "Because I'm worth it" included .
• #11 by RyanJP on 17 Mar, 2010 11:43
• If your gonna get some Clippers I'd go for Andis ( the styliner 2 is awesome ) as for the S4 if you have the cash then fire away, everyone that I talked to who owns one says the weight does help. I use a classic/ghost model and it serves it's purpose very well.
• #12 by stemikger on 17 Mar, 2010 16:42
• Thanks so much guys.  Awesome advice.  I'll let you know which direction I go when I decide.  If I had to go with my gut now, I would say it would be the Whal.
• #13 by Gump on 19 Mar, 2010 19:35
• Wahl Balding Clipper is an excellent product.  I used it extensively prior to going sly. As previously stated, it won't be as close as a blade - leaves a fine sandpaper feel - enough to pick up shirt lint.  But you will look bald.
• #14 by stemikger on 20 Mar, 2010 11:10
• Quote

  Posted by Ta2guy
  Stemikger, like Polarbear said, we are talking less than 1 millimeter here. But it is the LAST, most IMPORTANT millimeter between buzzed and bald. And everyone knows:
  

  
  Wow!!  You would make a great salesmen.  Actually, Although I have that receded hair line, I do not have MPB.  For some reason I like the shadow with the hairline I have now, but if I had MPB, I would definitely not like it.  So it is for that reason, I kind of like the look the best with about a day's worth of growth.
  
  Hey, I think I actually answered my own question.  Right after I type this, I am ordering the Whal on Amazon.  If I every develop MPB, I will definitely go with the HB.