WAHL Professional Super Taper II Powerful Clipper with Taper Lever (Model: 8470-500)

by Wahl

Product Features

• High precision blades
• Variable taper and texture
• Powerful cool running motor
• 8 color-coded cutting guides

Product Description

An attractive, adjustable clipper with a new super-powerful V5000 motor. Includes eight color-coded attachment combs, clipper cutting comb, cleaning brush, oil and instructions.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3 x 5 x 6 inches ; 2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0018C0MJS
• UPC: 043917847016
• Item model number: 8470-500
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,588 in Beauty (See Top 100 in Beauty)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SMOOTH BUZZ, July 25, 2006

By 

Len (Connecticut USA) - See all my reviews

You're probably struggling to choose a clipper because the reviews are so mixed. That was my experience anyway. I bought the Wahl Super Taper II mostly because of the 5-star review from "inquisitivetoo". I couldn't be happier with this clipper so far. I've cut my son's hair once, and my hair twice. This clipper truly DOES cut hair like a knife through butter. Aside from the excellent blades, the overall design is impressive. This clipper is hefty, delivering a substantial hand-feel. The different-colored clip-on combs are easily selected by color, eliminating the need to read the print on each one. The only negative is the Taper II is not cordless. The attached cord is quite long however, allowing good mobility from your wall outlet to wherever you're cutting. I see this clipper offered through multiple vendors here, at a wide range of price points which is confusing. I can't see any difference between the plastic-sealed versions, and bought the one priced at $55.95 (as of this date) sold through HairProducts-com.

Update July 1, 2008 - I've now used this razor more than 50 times between myself and my son. It continues to work great. An excellent product.

Update April 7, 2009 - Love this razor. Still working great. You'll never need another one.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cuts through like a hot knife to butter!, January 23, 2006

By 

inquisitivetoo (Alaska) - See all my reviews

I have been "buzzing" hair for 15 years now and to date, these have been my absolute favorite hair clippers.
To date, I have owned 3 Wahls (this set included) and the last being a Remington (utter crap!)and while I have been satisfied with the previous Wahls...the Taper II's have been my absolute favorite.
Typically, when buzzing hair-you can hear the difference (sound) the cheaper trimmers produce when idle and in trimming. Not the case with these.
These trimmers glide right through hair effortlessly, no matter course or fine. I am truly a happy camper and after the agony my husband experienced with the previous Remington's...so is he!
Thank goodness for Wahl, I am never turning back.
Good luck.

64 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Practical Wahl Super Taper II, August 29, 2006

By 

Vlad - See all my reviews

Stop. I already did the work for you- I would be insulted if you continued to browse. It is true, however, that I don't consider my time wasted. All the same, my experience with the Wahl Super Taper II was so positive that I am compelled to offer shopping assistance.

Difficult shopping is about conflict. Every product on the damn market creates conflict with all the others- even unrelated products. You will find yourself trying to save money on a DVD player so that you can buy that book or CD. The most popular conflict with the Wahl Super Taper II is likely with the cheaper packages. Are you the beginner? Do you want to save money? You don't need an expensive first time set of clippers, right? Plus, they come with all those extra accessories, right? Wrong. If it doesn't cut hair it doesn't cut hair. No price in the world can change that. The Super Taper II cuts hair. The motor is powerful and the blades are sharp. There is no lag when cutting through tough hair. You can trust me, I just got mine in the mail today and they took about 6 months of coarse, curly hair off my head- and I did it by myself for the first time ever. The results were perfect. The bottom line here is this: entry level clippers are less powerful and the accessories are cheap Chinese garbage. If you want them then you are better off buying these clippers and a pair of Japanese or Italian scissors seperately (this is the most you're going to need to buy since the package already comes with an excellent comb). Want a cape? Then take your shirt off. Got boobs? Save that old bed sheet, it will last longer and provide better coverage. If you're wanting to learn to cut hair for the first time you will be seriously disadvantaged with a cheaper pair of clippers because your own inexperience will be multiplied by said clippers inability to cut. Don't worry about those free DVDs, you can't learn a thing from them. Buy a book, at least you can pause the pages or take them with you to study at the bustop.

Are they worth the price? I researched the curve. The next step down in price is utter garbage; the next step up is overkill in the hundreds range. For the home the Super Taper II provides professional quality. I cannot tell that they behave any differently than the ones at the barber's. The difference is likely that professional series clippers are designed to stand use all day long. That's a lot of heat and motor life. Since the cutting is the same there is no reason to buy anything more expensive unless you plan on cutting 40 heads of hair per day. I got my clippers new on eBay for about 45 dollars total (check out eBay, there are currently several Super Taper IIs running for about 40 dollars plus 8 shipping). Good for me, sure. But I would gladly have paid 60 for these- don't blame me for taking the better deal. I'm not sure if they're available at Wal-Mart or not. But it really doesn't matter. They're solid and made in the USA- definitely worth every penny.

The use itself was nice. Aside from cutting through hair effortlessly these clippers are also easy to control. This is because they have good mass. Not too heavy, but massive enough to keep stable for precise movement. If you are worried about dealing with the cord, forget it. Rechargeable clippers have no power. You almost always will find yourself plugging them in while you use them anyway- been there, done that. The cord is long enough, but it could stand to be longer. This is my only gripe. It's sad that a foot or two would cost a company money in the long run but a short extension cord solves this. Don't worry, other models in the price range and below aren't going to have any longer cords so this is still the best available product. I didn't have any trouble with the length- it's only that I could see where one might need them longer. Besides, I suffer from such paranoias as fear of cord ripping out from the wall... it's just nice to have that extra security.

Appearances count too. The pictures of the Super Taper II online look terrible. I was afraid I was going to get some idiot's idea of a modern/futuristic piece of garbage. In person, however, the clippers look much better. I daresay "classy." You really do feel like you're holding something serious when you look down at the humming Wahl.

If you read anything I've said then read this: You can NOT go wrong with these clippers. It's a safe buy that will pay for itself. They work. They are high quality. And you're hearing that from someone obsessed with buying U.S, European and Japanese products. I'm anal retentive and can't stand a faulty product. These clippers made one of the most difficult to please buyers in the world happy- I know that they will make you happy too.