I am a groomer and have used Oster A-5's for years with no complaints. They do run a bit over $100, around $135-145 (depending on where you get them) new, but worth it in the long run. IMO one of the biggest mistakes people make in home grooming is clipping a dirty dog. Your clippers and blades will last a lot longer if you use them on a clean dog to start with. Most of the "repair" grooming jobs that I get are people who clipped the dog before brush out and bath and it tends to look like a lawn mower ran over the poor critter.

 

Second on the clean dog. Also, we bought a more expensive pair 150$ or so Wahl I think, and they have lasted real well. I think it's one of those things where better quality really does save you money and frustration in the long run, like a chainsaw.

 

My mom groomed dogs for years ( and the kids' summer buzz cut as well), and she still owns the Oster clippers she bought back in the 70's. They still work great.

 

You might be able to get a good deal on a slightly used Oster A-5 on eBay. But they are great.

 

I've groomed for years too--Oster A-5's

 

I agree, commercial Oster is th eway to go

 

I dunno the newer 2 spd golden A5's aren't what they used to be. Oster Performax is a better clipper IMO. You want to trim dogs and goats? I'd be tempted to say look for a cattle clipper set. My Heiniger clipper can interchange between a cattle/horse clipper head to a sheep shearing head the same as the Oster Sunbeam shearmasters. (which are also a great clipper) None of these will be had new under $100.

 

Oster or Andis. I still have my original A-5 from 20 years ago. They run great, but because I do 5-8 dogs per day I use the Andis they are quieter, lighter and do not have the blow-back that the oster does. BUT I replace the andis once per year :nono: And at 169.00 per pair (why do they call clippers a pair there is only one???) it gets expensive.

 

Thanks. It seems like maybe the Oster A-5 is the way to go. Which ones would be better? There are several "1-speed" ,"2- speed", "Turbo 1&2 speed" :baby04: . I also read somewhere last night on the internet that the newer ones where not as good as the older ones and they get hot real fast? Not sure what model they were talking about though otherwise all the reviews were good. They seem to be about $110-$130 give or take for most of they lower line A-5s so there isn't much price difference for the 1 or 2 speed so I thought hey go for it with Turbo & 2 speed. Does anyone have one of those? Thanks for all the response