Hair Clipper Guard Sizes Quick Guide Reviewed
When you buy a hair clipper, you’re really going to receive more than just an ordinary hair clipper. This is definitely a good thing. After all, you need more than just the tool.
You’re also going to need a cleaning brush, lubricating oil, and a guard protector. Finally, you’ll want to equip yourself with a sufficient number of clipper guards. Without them, you’re going to have a tough time getting the precise length that you’re after.
Clipper guards come in an abundance of unique sizes. Within this comprehensive guide, you’re going to learn more about the various hair clipper guard sizes.
These are the best hair clipper guards:
The Averages
Once you’ve got your hair clipper home, you’re going to open the box and begin scouring through the contents. While it depends on the product in question, it is very common for consumers to receive at least 8 guards.
8 guards should be sufficient for the average individual. Unfortunately, there are some clippers that are going to come with far fewer guards. This can be problematic.
Make sure that you get at least 8 guard sizes. Otherwise, you might not be able to get the results that you’re after.
How Do Clipper Guard Sizes Work?
Now, you should find out precisely how clipper guards are going to work. The truth of the matter is that they’re far less complex than you might believe. Look at the items before you.
You should have the clipper and a handful of clipper guards. Once you’ve grabbed a guard, you will see that it is designed in a unique way. It is designed to ensure that it will be able to snap into place.
The guard should snap onto the clipper and it should remain there from start to finish. There are numerous guard sizes. The guards determine how long or short the hair is going to be cut.
It works by stopping the blades from reaching the hair. Using a clipper guard is a great way to get the precise length that you’re after. This is the best way to cut your hair even if you’re not a professional.
Just make sure that you get the right guard size from the beginning. Otherwise, you might create problems for yourself and the person sitting in the seat.
What Sets The Guards Apart?
When you take a look at the guards, you’re going to see immediately that they’re different in numerous ways. For starters, there is a good chance that the guards will feature different colors.
They will also be labeled with a number. Both of these things are going to refer to the length. It is absolutely vital to understand that the sizes are going to vary slightly from one manufacturer to the next.
A number two from Oster might be a little shorter or longer than a number two from Wahl and so on and so forth. With that being said, you really have to be cautious when making the switch from one brand to the next.
When cutting hair, it is true that the hair left behind is far more important than what has been cut. After all, the remaining hair is what everyone is going to see in the end.
This is why it is pertinent to familiarize yourself with the comb guard length in advance. A single millimeter will result in a startling difference in the long run. Be careful when choosing the guard size or serious problems could occur.
Choosing The Right Size
Before you turn on the clipper and begin cutting the hair, you need to make sure that you’re using the right guard size. So, how can you make sure that you’ve got the right size?
The truth of the matter is that choosing the right size is going to depend on one thing. What are you trying to achieve? What type of haircut does the person in question want?
Do they want to cut their hair as low as possible? If the answer is yes, you might not even need a guard at all. Either way, you need to figure out precisely what you’re trying to achieve ahead of time.
Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a much easier time finding out what guard size is going to be right for you.
Going Longer Is Best
As long as you’re using a guard and you’re working carefully, it is really tough to go wrong when using a hair clipper.
At the same time, you should realize that you can fix pretty much any and every problem that does occur. Try to get it right from the get-go. However, you should not feel obligated to do so.
Take your time and experiment with it. You can always fix problems. However, you are probably cautious about cutting the hair too low. This is why you’ll want to go longer in the beginning.
Starting with a longer comb is going to be very beneficial in the long run. Think about it. If you cut it too low and you make a mistake, you have to cut it even lower to fix the problem.
In the most severe cases, you might end up getting a buzz cut. If you start with a long comb, you can prevent such problems.
You’ll have more hair left over to play around with. This will decrease the sting that you’re going to experience when you make a big problem.
Potential Hair Clipper Guard Problems
There are several things that can go wrong with hair clipper guards. If you’re going to be buying a hair clipper, you need to make sure that you do your best to avoid these potential problems.
Otherwise, you might buy a good razor with horrible guards. Then, you might not be able to get the haircut or hairstyle that you’re after. First and foremost, you need to make sure that the guards are durable.
Most are going to be plastic. Still, some plastics are more durable than others. Be sure that the guards are not going to break apart the very first time that they’re used.
It is also pertinent to ensure that the guards are going to snap into place securely. During use, the guard should remain in place without slipping around.
If the guard slips around, it might fall off and you might cut the hair too low. That will force you to end up with a buzz cut. Finally, you have to be very careful when switching from one company to another.
After all, each company uses different sizes. You cannot expect each company to use the same exact sizes. Be cautious about this!
Average Clipper Guard Sizes
Again, it is true that the sizes can differ from one company to the next. In fact, they might even change from one clipper model to another. Still, it is often wise to check out the averages.
Doing so can help you find out which clipper guard is going to be closest to the specific length that you want. On average, the #000 guard will be 1/32” or .8mm. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the remaining sizes and lengths.
- #000 – 1/32” or .8mm
- #00 – 1/16” or 1.6mm
- #0 – 3/16” or 4.8mm
- #OA – 5/16” or 7.8mm
- #1 – 7/16” or 11.1mm
- #1A – 9/16” or 14.3mm
- #2 – 11/16’ or 17.6mm
Do not rely solely on the figures provided above. They could be correct, but your specific guards might offer other lengths. Still, the numbers should be fairly close.
Just remember that even 1 millimeter could make a huge difference in the end. Therefore, you have to be very careful when attempting to choose the right guard size for the haircut that you’re trying to deliver.
Protecting The Guards
Finally, you need to make sure that you do everything humanly possible to protect your clipper guards. They’re not going to last forever. However, you can greatly extend their lifespan by protecting them to the fullest.
So, what do you need to do to keep your guards in good shape? You should always inspect the guards before using them. Do you see any cracks or signs of wear and tear?
When the guards get too worn down, you will need to replace them. You should also clean the guards before and after each use. Make sure that they’re dried completely too.
Finally, you need to make sure that the guards are stored in a safe location. Plastics can be fragile and they can break fairly easily. Store the guards in a hard-shell box to prevent them from getting broken.
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Summary
There are plenty of great hair clippers out there. If you’re going to be buying one, you’ll want to pay close attention to the clipper guard sizes.
Having too few is going to be very problematic. You need at least five or six guards. Having more is even better. Once you’ve got the clipper and the guards, you need to figure out which one you’re going to use.
Start by identifying your preferences and go from there. Remember to always go longer than you really want. This will ensure that you’re able to remedy problems without too much trouble.
