If you have been getting your haircuts in a barbershop, the chances you have gotten your hair cut with an Oster Classic 76 are pretty high. We are talking about one of the industry’s standard hair clippers that have been loved by 3 or more generations of professional barbers.
But what makes this clipper that good?
Keep reading because, in this article, we are going to do an in-depth review of the Oster Classic 76, talk about its pros and cons and help you understand if this clipper is for you!
Table of Contents
Quick Overview of the Oster Classic 76
If you’re looking for a reliable, corded clipper that won’t let you down, look no further than the Oster Classic 76.
This professional-grade clipper has a powerful pivot motor and precision blades that offer exceptional results, making it great for barbershops, salons, and home use (in some cases).
In the next sections, we’ll take a closer look and explain to you why this classic hair clipper is such a good choice, especially for professionals.
Pros
- Made of High-Quality Materials
- Very Powerful Motor
- Long Cord
- High-Quality Sharp Blades
- Very Durable
- Very Precise
Cons
- Noisy Operation
- Bulky and Heavy
- Pricey
For Home Users, Probably Not…
The Oster Classic 76 is a professional hair clipper made with high-quality materials, offering a powerful cutting performance. While they may be suitable for some home users, it’s worth noting that the clippers come with several drawbacks when it comes to home use. Firstly, they are pretty heavy to maneuver – weighing in at 2 pounds – which can make them challenging to work with if you are not experienced with bulky and powerful professional-grade clippers. Additionally, the expensive price tag means these clippers might not be accessible to everyone. So, consider your abilities and budget before investing in this product.
For Professional Users, Hell Yeah!!!
The Oster Classic 76 is a trusted name among barbers, and there is a good reason for it. The combination of its professional-grade, heavy-duty universal motor and the top-notch stainless steel blades make them such a powerhouse – an ideal clipper for professionals (this is why we have listed them in our best clippers for bald heads article).
Finally, when you purchase the Oster Classic 76, you also get: Blade Guard, Lubricating Oil & Cleaning Brush, Blade Clipper Grease.
The Oster Classic 76 In-Depth Review
Motor
The Oster Classic 76 clipper features a powerful single-speed universal motor that can cut through the thickest and coarsest hair. This beast of a motor will give you all the torque and power you need day in and day out without having to worry about anything. In our opinion, the motor is probably the strongest element of this clipper as it is way more powerful and reliable than the magnetic motors most competitors use. Of course, when you have such a powerful motor, you should expect some side effects like high noise levels and overheat, but we will talk about them later.
Blades
Before talking about the characteristics of the blades (like the material etc.), let’s first talk about a technique the manufacturer use at the production stage.
During the production stage, Oster cryogenically treats these blades (meaning freezing them at -300F) to align their molecules perfectly. According to them, this method not only increases the sharpness and strength of the blades but also makes them harder and, as a result, causes them to stay sharp for longer.
We are not scientists to know if this method actually works but judging from the outcome, we can say that these blades are super sharp and durable.
Now about their characteristics, we are talking about two stainless steel detachable blades (size #1 and #000) that can be easily changed.
The only downside is that you get only two of the 13 different Oster clippers blades, so if you want longer blades, you have to buy them separately – and let me warn you – they are pretty expensive. What we advise doing if you are just starting out is buying some standard clipper guards and using them on the blades you get for free with the clipper.
The build
When a product has such a really rich history like the Oster 76, it is really easy to lose its character with all the upgrades and changes that have happened over the years, but thankfully Oster didn’t make that mistake.
When you look at this vintage burgundy clipper, you can almost smell the old barbershop scent of talk powder, antiseptic and cheap coffee. And while Oster has kept the vintage look to 76, they improved things that needed improvement, like the build quality.
To build the burgundy housing of the clipper, they use a plastic-like material called valox. Valox is the material used in the car manufacturing industry to make cars more durable and lightweight. As you can imagine, this material makes the Classic 76 fall-resistant (pretty much unbreakable) and is the main reason this clipper is so durable.
Drawbacks of the Oster Classic 76
There is no thing as the perfect clipper, so in this section, we are going to talk about what we don’t like that much about Oster Classic 76
Weight
The Oster Classic 76 is a bulky (1.8” x 2” x 8.1”) and quite heavy clipper, weighing 2.1 pounds. The big size and extra weight make it more difficult to maneuver during long haircutting sessions and can cause fatigue in the hands and wrist after prolonged use. As mentioned many times already, we are talking about a clipper designed for heavy-duty use, so it makes sense that Oster chose to go for durability and power over weight and size.
Noise Level
The Oster Classic 76 clipper is probably one of the noisiest clippers, period. It is so noisy because of its powerful motor. Clippers are machines, and more often than not, the more powerful a machine is, the louder it will be (think about how noisy supercars are), so it is not something surprising at all.
Heat Level
It feels like repeating ourselves, but again, because of the power of its motor, Oster Classic 76 tends to overheat a bit. By a bit, we mean that it will get hot after about 15 minutes of use, but not as hot as other heavy-duty clippers with magnetic motors like Andis Master, for example.
Price
The Oster Classic 76 is a high-quality clipper, and it comes with a hefty price tag. It is one of the most expensive hair clippers on the market, so keep that in mind when it is time to make your decision. We are not claiming that it is not worth it, as this is something you will decide now that you have read our review; we are just stating the facts.
Oster Classic 76 Clipper alternatives
1. Wahl Professional Senior Clipper
If you are looking for a wireless clipper with a fading lever to adjust your taper and texture, this might be the right one. It’s designed for tapering, bulk hair removal, and precision fading (this is why it has made it to our best clippers for fades list). The powerful motor, along with the lever-adjustable taper, creates seamless blends and fades effortlessly. Plus, the sturdy metal case safely houses all the necessary attachments:
- 3 premium metal clip combs (1/16″, 1/8″, 3/16″)
- Clipper blade oil
- A comb
- A charging station
- A small cleaning brush
2. Andis Master Clipper
The Andis Master Clipper is Classic 76’s main competitor and an all-in-one tool for achieving salon-quality haircuts. It features high-speed adjustable blades that can handle any style, from fine trims to full cuts. With its single lever, you can easily adjust the clipper blade from 000 to 1, making it perfect for fades and all-around styling. The clipper has a powerful V9000 motor that generates over 7,200 cutting strokes per minute, ensuring you get professional results in no time.
3. Remington HC4250 Quick Cut Hair Clipper
The Remington HC4250 Quick Cut Hair Clipper has nine adjustable length combs that cut from 1/16 to 5/8 inches providing you with plenty of options for creating any look. For maximum coverage and close, even cuts, this clipper has an extra wide curved blade that contours to your head shape. This 13-piece kit includes everything you need: a hand-held clipper, nine-length cutting combs, a cleaning brush, a storage/travel pouch, and oil, as well as a charging adaptor to get started immediately. The lithium rechargeable battery gives you 40 minutes of cordless use and can be used even while plugged in for a continuous operation.
Conclusion
The Oster Classic 76 is an essential tool for any barber or stylist. It is easy to use and maintain, and with its strong motor, it will make quick work of styling hair. Regularly greasing the clipper and changing your blades will keep it working efficiently for a lifetime. If you want to try one for yourself, check it out!
Russell is the founder of themensattitude.com. He is a barber a beard enthusiast and he is obsessed with trying men’s lifestyle products and blog about them. If you have any questions you can hit him up via the contact page.
