Zero Gapping Hair Clippers: Everything You Need to Know
Zero-gapping your hair clippers is a simple, effective mod that can make your trusty clippers a whole lot more flexible. But which models can be zero-gapped? Why should you do it? And how do you do it?
What is Zero Gapping?
When we talk about zero-gapping hair clipper blades, we're referring to aligning the blades so there is zero overlap between the upper cutting and lower static blades. This gives a very close shave on both head and facial hair, as close as you'll get without using a foil or a razor.
Many barbers zero-gap their blades to create styles such as skin fades without using razors for large parts of the cut.
The Benefits of Zero Gapping – is it Good to Zero Gap Blades?
There are a few benefits to zero-gapping hair clippers:
Firstly, it allows for a very close shave. As mentioned earlier, the only way to shave hair closer than a zero-gapped clipper is by using a foil or a razor. For facial hair and the scalp, zero-gapped clippers can produce striking effects with sharper lines and cleaner edges.
Secondly, with both blades aligned with no overlap, there's less chance of hairs becoming trapped, which can extend the life of your clippers.
Thirdly, you might find that zero-gapping your clippers gives even dull, tired blades a new lease of life. It might even buy you an extra month between blade replacements, as zero-gapping will make your clippers more effective at slicing through hair quickly.
Can You Zero Gap All Hair Clippers?
Not all hair clippers can be zero-gapped. Some lower-end clippers have blade arrangements that can only be adjusted slightly, if at all. However, most big-brand-name clippers can be zero-gapped. Occasionally, you need to replace some parts, however.
Zero-gapping Wahl Clipper Models
There are some exceptions to the zero-gap rule. For example, Wahl's 100th Anniversary 1919 clipper has a three-hole blade slide that prevents you from aligning the blades to zero. We wrote a blog post about our experience of trying to zero gap the Wahl 1919s.
You can find out which type of blade slide you have by removing the screws on the fixed blade and taking both blades off the clipper. You'll see either two or three holes. If you have two holes, you're good to go. Three, and you'll need to replace the slide. Thankfully, we have two-hole blade slides in stock to zero-gap your three-hole clippers.
You'll find that more or less everything in the Wahl range from Magic Clip to Senior to Super Tapers to Legends can be zero-gapped, however. Ditto, the Wahl Detailer. Oster and Andis offer similar flexibility when it comes to zero-gapping throughout their ranges.
How do you Zero Gap Hair Clippers?
To zero gap hair clippers, you’ll need the following tools:
A screwdriver – (blade screws vary in size from model to model, so ensure you have the correct size screwdriver to avoid rounding off the screw heads
A brush – to remove excess hair and to ensure your clippers are as clean as possible before zero-gapping
Clipper blade oil – you should always oil your blades when adjusting them.
The great thing about hair clippers is that they're relatively simple to work on regardless of brand. So don’t be afraid. If we’re working on new clippers for the first time, we like to set up a phone to record or take some pictures as we go along in case we get lost during the process.
Instructions for zero-gapping Wahl/Andis US Pro/Gamma+/Stylecraft/Kemei/VGR/WMark and compatible full-size clippers:
Unplug the hair clippers.
Remove any guards or combs from the clippers.
Locate the screws that hold the blades in place.
Loosen the screws with a screwdriver.
Move the blades until they are flush against each other. You can purchase tools to help you align the blades perfectly, but these can be expensive.
Tighten the screws back down.
Brush away any hair or debris from the blades.
Put a couple of drops of clipper blade oil on the blades and run them for 20 seconds before wiping any excess oil away.
Ensure the blades are operating correctly. If they're very loud, you may need to readjust them by trial and error.
Instructions for zero-gapping Wahl Detailer/Andis T-Outliner and similar trimmers
Unplug the hair clippers.
Remove any guards or combs from the clippers.
Locate the screws that hold the blades in place.
Loosen the screws with a screwdriver and remove the blades (on these models, both blades have secondary screws holding them together)
Brush any excess hair away from the drive unit and around the blades.
Loosen the smaller screws holding the blades in position. Move the blades until they are flush against each other. You can purchase tools to help you align the blades perfectly, but these can be expensive.
Tighten the smaller screws back up.
Replace the blades carefully and tighten the main blade screws back down.
Brush away any hair or debris from the blades.
Put a couple of drops of clipper blade oil on the blades and run them for 20 seconds before wiping any excess oil away.
Ensure the blades are operating correctly. If they're very loud, you may need to readjust them by trial and error.
Safety Tips
Always switch off and unplug hair clippers before working on them.
Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, which could damage the blades.
Take this opportunity to clean your clippers of trapped hair. This will keep them running better for longer.
Always oil your blades before use to keep them lubricated. Ceramic doesn't rust, but the static steel blade might if you don't take good care of it.
Troubleshooting
If you’re struggling to zero-gap your hair clippers, make sure you check the following:
Ensure the screws are loose enough to enable the blades to move.
Make sure the blades are flush against one another.
Ensure the blade screws are tight enough to keep the blades locked in place.
If you're still having problems, consult the owner's manual for more maintenance information.
Now, assuming you've put your clippers back together and don't have any spare parts left over, you're all set to take the barber world by storm with your zero-gapped clippers. If you're a home user, zero-gapping your clippers will take your trims to the next level. If you're a pro, you'll find it makes your existing clippers much more versatile.
Happy barbering ✌️
