Everything You Need to Know About Hair Clipper Guard Sizes

I have question that I can not seem to find the answer. I get a number 2 haircut all over. Recently I bought my own Wahl hair clippers that included the clipper guards so I can cut my own hair. I got confused with the taper lever but found out what it does.

My question is, when hair clipper has a number 2 guard, should the taper lever be set to closed or open to get the number 2 haircut all over?

I understand when the taper lever is closed it cuts more hair and when open it cuts less hair but how much difference is there in hair length for number 2 between closed and open with number 2 guard and which taper lever position is a true number 2 hair cut with guard?

There are a few things you need to understand about hair clippers – one of them being the function of the taper lever. As mentioned in the post, taper levers are often used to adjust the clipper’s blades. When a clipper’s taper lever is closed, the haircut length is ~0mm (Zero). Hence, it’s referred to as a #0. Now, when you open the taper lever, you’ll be increasing the length of the cut from your blades.

For example:
If you have an Andis hair clipper, opening its taper lever adds between 0.2mm (#00000) and 16mm (#5/8) of length to your haircut. Therefore, if you were to use you #2 guide comb on a clipper with an open taper lever, the resulting haircut length would be longer i.e. the increase in blade-cutting length added to the haircut size of your guide comb e.g. 0.5mm (#000 blade size) + 6mm (#2 guard size) = a ~6.5mm long haircut.

Basically, opening your taper lever is just the same as using a clipper guard – both are meant to increase the length of the haircut by cutting less hair off. Therefore, when you use both, the resulting hair length will be the sum of the taper lever and clipper guard sizes used.

Hello, does opening the Wahl taper lever add the same amount as the Andis?

Hi, D.

Not necessarily. As mentioned in the post, the taper lever's work is to adjust the sizes of the blades. And from the post on the last part where I talk about blade sizes, it's clear that Wahl and Andis both have different blades sizes. Therefore, adjusting the taper lever on either of the clippers will result in a different amount/size added or removed.

In Oster guards, If I use a 000 (0,5mm) blade with a #0 (1.5mm) guard the result will be A haircut size of 2mm or guards sizes considers 000 as the standard blade for guards?
In case I use a 0000 blade with #0 guard will I get an 1.75mm size?

Hi, Pablo.

When combining blade sizes and clipper guard sizes, it's just simple math. If your blade size is "A" and then you use an attachment comb of size "2A," the resulting haircut will be of size "3A."

Therefore, Yes, Oster's #000 (0.5mm) blade with a #0 (1.5mm) guide comb will give you a 2mm long haircut. And that also means that you'll get a 1.75mm long haircut when you combine the #0 guide comb with a #0000 blade in your Oster hair clipper.

Hi there,

Thanks for a great article!

One of the things that confuses me about clipper comb guards is their measurements.

I have a razor from a manufacturer not covered in your article and am unsure if I should change the razor to get longer cuts, or if one of the manufacturers above would fit my razor head.

Do you know if it's possible to get measurements for the guide comb anywhere?

My razor head is 4cm by 3cm so it feels like there might be a universal head for this type of size.

Many thanks

Col

Hi, Col.

I'm glad that you enjoyed the post. Now, to properly answer your question, I need to know what your Razor's name and brand are.

Closed 2 is 2/8 of an inch. Open 2 is 2/8 + 1/16 of an inch, correct ?

Hi Aditya,

Yes and No...

Yes to getting a 2/8 inch long haircut when you use a closed clipper with a #2 guide comb.

And No, an open #2 does not equate to 2/8 + 1/16 inches because there's no available blade number (on all hair clippers) for size 1/16. The closest you can get to that outcome or haircut length is if you use a #2 (2/8 Inches) guide comb together with an open #1 (3/32 inches) blade on Oster and Andis clippers only.

Hey Mike,
Thank for you taking the time to make this post. It really cleared up a lot for me. My question doesn't there seem to be any metal guides combs available? Wahl makes them for animals, but apparently us humans are not allowed to have our own. When I was in the military one barber I went to had a set of all stainless blade guards. They definitely gave the best haircuts I ever had. I have no idea what brand of clippers he used or even how old they may have been. My plastic combs always seem to get brittle and break over time, but I have never had anyting but cheaper consumer models from places like Walmart. Do you know where to find metal ones, or is there a difference in the professional plastic ones, like the metal "magic" clip Wahl ones? Or should I just be taking better care of my plastic ones?

Thanks!
Steve

Hi Steve,

First of all, Thank You for Your Service. And I'm glad and humbled that this post was helpful.

Now, to answer your question...

Metal/stainless-steel guard combs do exist, but usually for pet and animal grooming. I've seen quite a number of these attachment combs on Amazon and eBay, but haven't been lucky enough to find ones made for human use to replace my flimsy plastic ones.

However, one thing you should note is that most of the sizes on the available metal guide combs are just the same as the ones we have on the plastic (human) combs.

Therefore, in my opinion, the word "animal" is just a label and it doesn't mean people can't use them. So, if you are comfortable using the stainless-steel ones, you can. I'm sure the haircut length results will be the same but the experience will be a tad bit better; plus, durability won't be an issue anymore. If not, I guess the only remaining option you'll have is to take good care of your plastic ones.

Ps:
If you do happen to come across stainless steel guide combs for men, please share them with us. I'm sure a lot of us who are frustrated by the flimsy, brittle plastic ones will appreciate better and more sturdy options. I'll do more research too and get back to you as soon as I have something good.

Hey Mike thanks for the response!

I was not able to find much more about metal guides, but think I have found what I am looking for. The barber was probably using detachable blade clippers, and I was thinking it was just metal guides. The one I am looking at is the Andis Supra ZRII which works with detachable blades, and is cordless with a replacable battery pack. It is definitely expensive, but I think is exactly what I am looking for.

As a quarantined woman I have had to start cutting my own hair with scissors. Not a good job! Is there a clipper that can let me cut my hair two inches all over? A sort of Flowbee contraption?

Hi Mary.

I hope you are doing great and staying safe. Now, to answer your question. I don't know of any clipper brand that makes attachment combs beyond the #12. However, there are several third-party guard combs you can use (mostly on Wahl clippers) to obtain a two-inch haircut.

Here's where you can find them on Amazon:

1. Clipquik #16 (2-Inch) Clipper Comb Attachment.


2. Miaco Size #16 (2"/51mm) Clipper Guide Comb.


3. Miaco Size 10, 12 and 16 (1.25", 1.5" and 2") Clipper Guide Comb Set (Best Value).

Mike, I have a philips norelco 7790. The largest blade guard is 5/8". Is there a third party comb/blade guard that will to to at least 1"? I want a longer cut. My hair has been growing for 3 months now and needs attention while I stay in lockdown

Hi John,

Unfortunately, the Phillips Norelco MG7790 doesn't have guide combs bigger than the #5 (5/8" or 16mm). And because of its atypical (unique) blade design, third-party clipper guard manufacturers don't have much incentive to come up with bigger guides for it (due to low demand and all).

So, if you are keen on getting a #8 (or bigger), my suggestion is - get another hair clipper; preferably, one from a popular brand like Wahl, Andis, or even Oster. Most of their clippers use the same blades, therefore, it's easier to find different guard comb sizes, including the ones not provided by the manufacturer.

Take care.
Mike.

Hi, Barber Mike
Your article really gave me a much better understanding of clippers. I have a couple of questions I hope you will answer for me. Due to the fact that I am now at very high risk when exposed to communicable diseases, my public outings are basically just to the doctors' offices and occasionally to the grocer's store if friends are unable to shop for me. Thus, it is unlikely I will be going to a salon even when the pandemic ends. What I have done is to tie my hair in a pony tail and chop it off. However, I'd like to do at least a little bit better job than that. If I get a Wahl's clipper and set of clipper guards, including a #12, then I could get a 1.5 inch cut all over. However, I could increase that by a few hundredths of an inch by extending the taper (doesn't sound like much). Alternatively, if there is a third-party manufacturer for Wahl's clipper guards, I could maybe get a two-inch cut. Have I applied the facts correctly? I'd prefer to start with a two-inch all over cut, but it looks like I might have to settle for 1.5 inches.

Hi Maren.

How are you holding up? I'm sorry to hear about your current predicament. On the plus side, a lot of resources and bright minds have been tasked with fixing the world, so, let's hope that a fool-proof solution will be found soon.

Anyway, to answer your question:

In truth, Wahl doesn't manufacture guard combs bigger than the #12 (1.5"). However, if you already have Wahl clippers, getting a 2-inch haircut shouldn't be a problem. That's because there are several #16 clipper guards available today from third-party manufacturers like Clipquik and Miaco. Therefore, getting yourself any of their 2" clipper guards can help you get a good, uniform, two-inch haircut at home.

Here's where you can find them:

1. Clipquik #16 (2-Inch) Clipper Comb Attachment.


2. Miaco Size #16 (2"/51mm) Clipper Guide Comb.

Thanks for this great article! I'm glad I found you. I hope you can help me solve this problem -- I'm a new beard-owner and I bought one of the cordless Wahl beard trimmers. My beard recently got too bushy for my taste, so I tried the 16mm guard and it didn't reach my beard at all. So I went to the 13mm and it cut way too short. So I'm desperately looking for 14mm and 15mm guards, but no luck anywhere on the Internet so far. Do you have any advice?

Thanks!

Phil

Hi Phil,

I hope you are doing great. From what I know, there are no 14mm and 15mm Wahl guide combs. The closest you can get to this length range is by using the #4 (13mm). Luckily, I'm all about solutions and I think I have one for you. Just because there isn't an exact size 14/15mm clipper guard, it does not mean there's no workaround. Here's what you can do:

* First, note that your Wahl hair trimmer won't be ideal for this workaround. Why? Because most (almost all) trimmers don't have a taper lever, so you can't adjust the blade size when the need arises. Therefore, a hair clipper is highly recommended for this.

* I'd recommend you get the Cordless Wahl Sterling 4 or Professional Designer because they are both high-quality and strong hair clipper that come with Wahl's #1005 blades and the #4 guard comb in their accessories. The #1005 blade is critical for this workaround because it allows size adjustment of between 1mm (when the taper lever is closed) and 3mm (when it's fully opened).

* Now, the reason why you need the #4 guide combs is that when using an adjustable blade clipper, increasing the length of the cut is easier than decreasing. So, the #5 guard won't do here.

Anyway, with all that in mind and assuming you have everything ready - the clipper (as suggested above or any other you can find with the Wahl #1005 blades) and the #4 attachment comb, here's how to get a size 14mm or 15mm haircut:

1. Oil the clipper and prepare it for work - the usual stuff.

2. Fit the #4 guard comb onto your clipper and open the taper lever fully. When you do that, here's what will happen; the guide comb will give you 13mm of cutting length and the blades will give you 3mm (when the taper is fully opened). If you sum them up (13mm + 3mm), you should be able to comfortably make a 16mm-long beard trim, right? But as you said earlier, 16mm (#5) was too long; so it won't work.

3. So, now you know that this blade and guard combination gives you 16mm and that the guard comb length (13mm) is fixed. Therefore, you'll have to adjust your blades to get the size you want. And since the #1005 blades give you a 3mm adjusting range, it means that moving the taper lever a third of the distance it covers from fully-opened to fully-closed should give you about 1mm i.e. opening by a third adds 1mm and closing by the same distance removes 1mm from your cutting length.

4. Therefore, if your taper lever is fully open, all you have to do is to close it by a third of its working distance to get a 15mm-long cut or by two-thirds of the distance to get 14mm of cutting length.

5. Pro tip: Always start with a longer length and then gradually reduce it to the size you want i.e. Start with size 16mm, then 15mm, then 14mm... until you achieve your desired length. Why? Because starting with a shorter size won't give you the opportunity to test longer sizes when looking for your ideal length; you'll have to wait until your beard grows back up to test the next size. And you don't want that, do you? So, high to low - that's the way to go.

Anyway, Phil. I hope this is helpful even in the slightest of ways. As I said, there aren't any size 14mm or 15mm guards available, so, this workaround might be your best option. In case you have any other questions about this, feel free to ask.

Thank you and have a splendid week.

Thanks very much for the awesome, detailed answer, Barber Mike!

Hi Barber Mike,

Thanks for the helpful article! I have settled on a Wahl #10 and then taper around the ears. The challenge is getting a clean cut with this long attachment. I go back and forth dozens of times, recomb etc and still a little more hair gets cut each pass. I have fairly straight, mostly gray hair with lots of cowlicks. Do I need better technique, shaver or clip, possibly a clip with more tines or metal, that would better control the hair?

Thanks much!

Hi, FA.

I hope you are doing great and I'm humbled that you found the post helpful.

Now:

This is a bit tricky because of the cowlicks. But from experience, I may have some possible clues as to why you aren't getting a clean cut. So, let me walk you through each.

1. You're Using the Wrong Clipping Style
This is the most probable reason why you keep cutting more hair with each pass. My guess is that you are cutting along your hair grains instead of against it.

Note:
Cutting hair against your natural patterns helps you to cut more hair off easily and more efficiently. But, if you have curly hair, it may seem like you've taken off more hair than you intended to. But, on the plus side, this method will ensure you get an exact #10 haircut.

On the other hand, cutting along your grain means that your clipper will only cut small amounts of hair per pass, hence, the need to make multiple passes. And you still won't be able to get the intended #10 with this technique; plus, you may end up with an uneven haircut.

So, try cutting against the flow/pattern/grain of your hair including the cowlicks. And if the problem persists, try the other solutions below.

2. Inconsistencies Caused by Cowlicks
Your clipping issue could also be as a result of the cowlicks. Why? Well, cowlicks tend to grow contrary to your hair's natural patterns. And that makes it hard to maintain a level/evenly-sized haircut all around your head.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about cowlicks. I know that they can be stubborn. Anyway, I'm not sure if this post about taming cowlick will help, but you can give it a try.

3. You are Using Flimsy Guard Combs
So, the third reason I can think of is that your guard combs aren't very sturdy. Most of the standard guards we buy with hair clippers are often made of weak plastic.

If this is your case, it means that your guard may be tilting during usage and that can cause the inconsistencies in hair sizes. To fix this, consider getting premium-grade Wahl guide combs and give it a try.

4. You're Using The Wrong Clipper Blades for Your Hair Type
What do I mean by this? Well, there are several blade technologies available today. If you have curly or soft hair, a standard clipper blade may not be as efficient. And that's why you have to do several passes before getting the size you want.

Anyway, a good example of a clipper blade that's designed for all hair types is the Wahl Magic Clip's #2161 Staggered-Tooth. It's serrated, hence, able to grab and cut hair on the first pass. I've also seen similar blades on the BaBylissPRO X2 Volare. So, I'd recommend you get one of these clippers and see if it solves your issue.

That's just about it. I hope this helps you. And in case, you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I'll be more than happy to help.

Have an awesome weekend FA
Thank you.

Hey there,

i hear a few guys around the shop talking about a #1 UK guard instead of a normal #1 guard. do you know what that might be and if there is any difference with the actual guards sizes?

Thank you,

Jessie(aka the dane barber)

Hi, Jessie.

I hope you are doing great man. So, about the #1 UK guard. To be honest, I've never heard of it, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't exist.

Why?

Well, because we all use clippers from the same brands - Wahl, Oster, Andis, Phillips, BaBylissPRO, and more. Therefore, Wahls' #1 guard in the U.S. will be just the same as the one you'll find in the U.K.

However, you should note there may be some differences in how brands number their attachment combs. For example, from the post, you may have noticed the #1/2 from Wahl measures 1.5mm while the #0.5 from Andis measures 2.4mm.

Bottom line?

You can get different guard sizes and numbers from different hair clipper brands, but that won't be the case with guide combs from the same brand.

But anyway, I hope this helps. In case you find out what they guys meant, please let me know. I'm also a bit curious about all this. :)

Have an awesome weekend ahead.
Thanks.

Great article! Is it possible to use clippers to maintain a medium length cut? I have been growing my hair out during quarantine and I want to trim it a little to give it some shape and keep it healthy, but I don't want to take any; significant length off. Right now it is about 3 inches on the back and sides and about 6 on top. This is the look I am going for: https://images.app.goo.gl/eDqci4JRzdiFhnLC6

Any tips? I just bought a set of Wahl clippers. Should I look to buy some really long guards?

Hi, James.

Glad to hear from you. I hope you are doing great. Anyway, to answer your question; the biggest clipper guards you can get online are 2 inches long and from third-party manufacturers like Clipquik and Miaco. And that means that they won't be of use to you because they are shorter.

But:

There are other ways to maintain that awesome Matt Bomer hairstyle at home. Here are your options:

1. Use a Pair of Scissors With a CombPal Cutting Kit
In this option, you'll be using the scissor-over-comb method to trim your hair. It's the easiest to do for a DIY haircut. Here's a YouTube video that shows how the CombPal works. Unfortunately, the Kit's largest guide comb is of size 3.5 inches. So, it will only be useful for maintaining your sides and back.

As for the 6-inch top, you'll have to approximate the length as you cut. Note that it won't be easy to maintain consistency if you cut the hair yourself. So, advisably, have someone else do this for you. Here's a good scissor-over-comb video tutorial that can help you perfect this.

2. Do a Clipper-Over-Comb Haircut (Still Using the CombPal Kit)
This is just the same procedure as Option 1 above. The only difference is that you'll use your Wahl clipper instead of a pair of scissors to cut hair over your CombPal.

3. You Can Use a FLOWBEE Haircutting System
The FLOWBEE is one of a kind and allows you to cut your hair between 1/2" and 6". It's probably your best option for maintaining a 6-inch long hair at the top. Although, I'm not sure if these systems are still available on Amazon or even in use these days. But if you can get your hands on one, it can be of help - for both the sides and top. Here's a quick demonstration of how a FLOWBEE works.

PS: Watch this video if you have access to a 3D printer. Maybe this method will give you a better solution.

Anyway, I hope this helps you, James. But please get back to me on this in case you find a better way to go about it at home. And don't hesitate to ask in case you have any other questions.

Thank you and have an awesome weekend.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the excellent article. A lot of the recommended clippers are sold out in Canada. I found one online at Walmart that is quite cheap (C$30): Philips Hair Clipper Series 3000 HC3505/15 (https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/philips-hair-clipper-series-3000-hc350515/6000199338449). Do you think this is a good one for home haircuts?
Also, the above Philips clippers come with only 1 guard comb but there are 13 in-built length settings on the clippers (0.5 to 23mm) which you can select and lock-in once the comb is attached. Is this design better or worse than what you see on the Wahl/Oster models (e.g. Magic Clip) which have individual guard combs for each length?

Also somewhat related, how are Philips brand clippers in general? They also have some high-end ones for DIY home use at https://www.philips.ca/c-m-pe/hair-clippers/diy-clippers/all#filters=DIY_CLIPPERS_SU.

Hi, AJ.

Glad you enjoyed the post. Phillips is a great brand with a lot of quality clippers and trimmers on its product catalog. Now, despite the fact that I haven’t had the opportunity to use it, I believe the Philips Hair Clipper Series 3000 HC3505/15 is an impressive home hair clipper. In fact, the correct word to use is unique or out-of-the-norm. Why?

Well, for starters, its design is not something you see every day. It’s ergonomic; allowing for a nice, strong grip. What’s more, haircut size adjustments are quite easy to achieve thanks to this clipper’s 13 lock-in length settings. And the best part is that it’s a very low-maintenance tool. All these features make it easy to use and handle; hence, giving it all the qualities of a good home hair clipper.

About the guide combs, I feel like the 13 lock-in length settings are more than enough; unless you like cutting your hair longer than 23mm. Plus, since you can make length/size adjustments on your clipper, it’s more convenient than dealing with separate guide combs. So, yes. In a way, it’s better than some Wahl/Oster models.

Now, the only issue I might have with the Philips Hair Clipper Series 3000 is the fact that you can’t use it as a cordless clipper. This is a problem because home haircutting works well when you have flexibility and freedom. So, if it comes with a short cord, you may be inconvenienced. But still, that depends on you and your skill level as a home barber. Anyway, I’d recommend it.

Does this answer your question? If not, please, don’t hesitate to ask for more clarifications.

As always, thank you for visiting WiseBarber. And if you are looking for great deals and offers on Barbering products, consider subscribing to my newsletter.

Have an awesome time.

Cheers, Mike

Hi Mike great article.

Recently purchased an Andis Master. I want my hair at 19mm. Would I just place a #6 guard onto a closed lever or use a lower number blade with an open lever ?

It gets confusing. Thanks so much.

Hi, Chris.

Great to hear from you. To answer your question, the #6 guard comb fitted onto a closed-blades clipper should give you a 19mm haircut.

Basically, opening your blades/taper lever will add some length to your hair clipper and you'll end up with hair sizes longer than 19mm. Therefore, keep your taper lever closed when you want to cut the exact size of your guide comb.

Anyway, don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions. Thank you and have an awesome weekend.

Barber Mike,

You are too kind. Thank You so much for your reply and your help. Totally understand now.

One more "interesting" question if you don't mind.

If you had a choice to do a #6 Andis Master all over (3/4") vs an Oster76 3 3/4 blade (1/2").....would you give up an 1/8" of length to be able to get the precision cut that the Oster76 blades deliver or would the magnetic #6 guard on the Andis Master be more than sufficient of a cut as far as quality goes ?

Have a super weekend.

Hi Chris,

First of all, sorry for the late reply. Didn't see it. Anyway...

Great question! See, I always believe that the quality of a haircut is more important than its length. Why? Well, in most cases, no one can make an accurate estimation of how long your hair is; they’ll just generalize it as short, medium, or long. Right?

But as far as quality goes, it’s not something you can hide. Anybody can tell whether your haircut looks good or not; with ease. 

If you feel that the Oster 76’s 3-3/4 blades will do a better job than the #6 Andis Master, then, by all means, go the Oster way. But, if you are dealing with a client, make sure you run it by them first; let them decide whether they want quality or length precision. The last thing you want is to cut their hair 1/4" shorter only to discover that they were more interested in the length of their haircut; not the quality.

Hey Barber Mike,

Its Jessie again, So ive found out what they were reffering to has the #1 UK Guard. So Apparently Menspire UK sells a #1 guards which says its 3mm however compared to a Wahl #1 3mm or a Babyliss #1 3mm it is a bit smaller. It acts almost has a 0.85 guard if there was one that actually exisited. I must say the bottom of the fades do come out alot cleaner and tighter. just have to make sure to really flcik the wrist when you get to the top part.

if ever your want to check out some of my work. My instagram handle is; The_dane_barber

Thank you,

Jessie(aka. the dane barber)

This is really appreciated that you have presented this data over here, I love all the information shared. It will be very helpful to understand the hair clipper guard sizes. Great post to share!!

Thanks!

This is great stuff! Glad I happened upon it.

Is there any way I can determine what length my Vietnamese-American barbershop usually cuts my hair? Perhaps I am asking the impossible. Would a series of photographs help? Can I take a "test drive" as it were with various combs?

Thanks for writing so well.

Hi Joel,

Thank you for visiting WiseBarber. Anyway, your question is a bit tricky. What I can say is that there's no clear or predefined way to measure your hair length accurately. But here is what I suggest you do:

1. Ask your barber what size he uses. This is the simplest and fastest way to determine your usual hair length; plus, it will get you more accurate results. If you've been getting haircuts from them for long, you don't have to visit their barbershop; a simple call will do - because chances are that they know it off-head. If that's not possible, try this next step.

2. Use a ruler to measure your hair length. Please note that this method will only work if you have hair that's longer than an inch. Just get a small ruler, pinch a few strands of hair, gently pull them up till they are fully straightened out and hold, place the ruler in line with the strands you are holding (upright), and note the measurement of the hair from the base (your scalp) to the top of your hair strands. Repeat this process on several different parts of your head and get the average of all measurements you collect to get a rough estimate of how long your hair is. But this will only apply if you have an evenly sized haircut; for a fade or taper, you can only use this method to measure the length of your top hair. Also, this may not be an ideal method for any haircut below an inch in length because it will be really hard to do this correctly. For shorter hair lengths, try this next step.

3. Make approximations. If you can't do any of the options above, you can approximate the length of your hair based on pictures with known haircut lengths. All you need are pictures of haircuts with different and known haircut sizes. Take each picture and compare it to your haircut to see which one looks just like yours in terms of size. Note that this is probably the most unreliable method and may have tons of inaccuracies. But it will be useful in some way if all the other options don't work.

Anyway, that's it, Joel. I hope you find a method that works best for you. Be sure to get back to me when you crack this; I'd like to know which one will work. Also, don't hesitate to ask a question if you have any. I'll be more than happy to help. Thank you.

Mike.

Question. At my work we use wahl and oster clipper brands. I have a wahl but want to try the oster. My oster 76 came with the 000 blade. If someone comes in and wants a #2, what guard would I put on my 000 blade? Or if they want a #4 guard to make it a 1/2 inch long which guard would I put on my 000? I just heard the length is different between the wahl and Oster

Howdy, Julie.

Since the Oster Classic 76 comes with detachable blades, it’s not possible to achieve a 1/2" haircut with the #000 blades. However, there is a way around this. You can purchase and use a #2 Oster Blade together with a #2 Oster Universal guard to achieve a #4 haircut. And so, for a #2 (1/4") haircut, you’ll need a #2 Oster Blade instead of the #000.

The difference between the Classic 76 and a Wahl clipper is that the latter comes with an adjustable taper lever. Therefore, when a Wahl Clipper’s blades are closed, all you’ll need to do is attach a guard size for the requested haircut size. But for the Classic 76, you’ll have to combine both the blade sizes and guard combs to come up with the right haircut length. Anyway, let me know if you need further assistance.

Thank you for visiting WiseBarber.com

Even though I'm using trimmers for the last many years but never thought about the use of all those settings provided. I was today years old when I realize the use of all these settings provided in a trimmer. Thank you Barber Mike for sharing this important piece of information.

I'm glad I helped :)