Clipper recommendations - light duty?

[BlueFire710]

Hi there,
I wonder if anyone can offer me some advice. I have always had my horses clipped by someone else (mainly because only had 1 so worked out far cheaper). However, i know have 3 that need doing this year and i know the cost for having someone in my area do it will come out at £120ish and i'll need them doing twice a year - so £240 for this year alone.
So, i was wondering how much a set of clippers that would only need to cope with this would cost? They would have a hunter type clip twice a year. One horse is an ISH, one a hanoverian and one a dutch warmblood so not too hairy.
Also, what is the ongoing cost of running your own clippers and having observed carefully for a fair few years would it be realistic to think i could do it myself?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Suelin]

I've just bought a set of Lister Liberty's for about £350. These are battery operated as I have no mains at my yard. If I had that kind of outgoing I would invest in some good quality clippers. They won't take long to pay for themselves. There is no mystery to clipping we all have to begin sometime.

Just to add that if you pm The Engineer on here he will give you loads of advice about servicing etc.

 

[TheEngineer]

Thanks Suelin! As requested I popped up.

As a good light duty machine with a great pedigree, I dont think you can beat a Heinegar Handy. The heads are alloy and a little "top heavy", but they are very quiet and vibration free. Backup and spares are not a problem via Alfred Cox the UK Importer and their blades are TOP QUALITY German Steel. They are usually priced quite well and built to a good standard. Blade tension is a little more fiddly than some machines but with sharp blades and good oil, you should be well away. It is often said that "Imitation is the best form of flattery" and the Heinegar is probably one of the most "copied" clippers on the market. Sadly our Chinese chums have not succeeded in replicating the quality of a genuine Heinegar, so ensure you avoid the very cheap and very nasty "looky likeys". I have just re bumped my annual advice post to the top of the forum if you need any more info. Good luck and happy clipping.

The Engineer