MikeL2 -

I seriously doubt that you're older than my daddy's (professional) barber clippers. I still remember the objections mom made when he "blew" $39 for them ca. 1947, when he got "phased out" at the aircraft plant and went back - temporarily - to barbering.

They cut just like the best of the new ones. I don't use them just 'cause there's sort of a sentimental respect for his tools.

But a good (experienced) barber, with an evil sense of humor, can make a lot of "innocent" things hurt like $@%!$@!. An excellent example is the "brisk shampoo" on a fair-haired victim, followed by generous application of an alcohol "hair tonic." That gives just enough "burn" to get a complaint, allowing the opportunity to apply a very warm water rinse that - as mentioned above - BURNS LIKE HELL!.

Even Manual Hair Clippers can give a painless close cut if used properly, but poor (even if intentionally poor) technique can simulate ripping the hair off with blacksmith tongs.

(Every good barber should still have a manual clipper, for customers using oxygen, although probably few do.)

John