The BaBylissPRO ChromFX Cordless Clipper (FX8700E) is the polished-chrome, all-metal member of the 4Artists Collection -- a full-size cutting clipper for barbers who move between bulk removal, taper work and clean fades all day. A 45 mm Japanese-steel wedge blade with a sharp V cutting angle sits on a digital motor turning at 6300 RPM, and its EDM-machined edge keeps the cut clean pass after pass. Run it corded or cordless on worldwide voltage, and seat it on the included charging stand to keep it upright and ready between clients.

In the box

• ChromFX Cordless Clipper (FX8700E)
• 8 guide combs (1.5, 3, 4.8, 6, 10, 13, 16 and 19 mm)
• Charging stand
• Charger / adaptor
• Blade oil and cleaning brush

Why the ChromFX works for barbers

In a busy chair you switch tasks constantly, and this clipper is built to keep up. The wedge blade takes a neutral cutting angle that suits both taper work and fade blending, while the 6300 RPM digital motor drives a steady blade speed through thick or coarse hair and holds that speed even as the battery runs down. The heavy, all-metal body and its knurled grip give you the control for slow, deliberate passes, the detent hanging hook keeps the clipper ready at the station, and the charging stand parks it upright between clients. Because it runs corded or cordless on 100-240 V, it is as at home on a travelling kit or a guest spot abroad as it is on your own station.

Key features

• 45 mm Japanese-steel wedge blade with a sharp V cutting angle for tapers and fades
• Digital motor running at 6300 RPM for a consistent blade speed
• Adjustable taper lever from 0.8 to 3.5 mm for bulk-to-blend control without changing combs
• 8 guide combs covering 1.5 to 19 mm
• Corded or cordless use on 100-240 V worldwide voltage
• Charging stand included to keep the clipper upright and ready between cuts
• Detent hanging hook and a heavy, polished chrome all-metal body
• Blade shaped with EDM (electrical-discharge machining) for a precise cutting edge

What to expect in the hand

Pick it up and the metal body gives it a planted, balanced weight, with the polished chrome finish catching the light at the station. The taper lever lets you open the blade for bulk and close it down to walk a fade upward, and you can drop a guide comb on for even grades or work open-bladed for freehand blending. The EDM-machined edge keeps the cut clean pass after pass, and the neutral wedge angle moves easily between taper and fade work. It is a cutting clipper first: think heads, tapers and fades rather than sharp outline detailing, which is a trimmer's job.

Who it is for

• Barbers who want one cordless clipper for bulk cutting, tapering and fades
• Fade specialists who like a wedge blade and an adjustable taper
• Mobile and travelling barbers who need worldwide voltage and cordless freedom
• Advanced home users who want a professional-grade chrome metal clipper

Who it is not for

• Anyone after a dedicated outliner for sharp edges and beard lines -- choose a T-blade trimmer
• Barbers who need a zero-gap balding blade straight out of the box
• Anyone wanting a fully washable, rinse-under-the-tap tool -- the blade is oiled and brushed, not immersed

Professional tip

The trick with a heavy chrome machine like this is to let its weight do the work: carry the weight of the metal body into each pass, never forcing it, then step the taper lever up in small moves to melt the weight into the skin. Keeping the blade moving in overlapping passes, rather than digging in, gives you an even fade.

How to use it

1. Charge it fully before the first cut, then top it up on the stand as needed
2. Fit a guide comb or work open-bladed, and set the taper lever to your starting length
3. Cut against the direction of growth and let the blade do the work
4. Step the taper lever up in small moves to blend the weight upward
5. Switch off, brush out the blade and add a couple of drops of oil after use

Care and maintenance

Brush the cut hair out of the blade after every use, add two drops of blade oil with the clipper running, then wipe away the excess. Rinse the guide combs under water and dry them fully, but never immerse the clipper itself. If you will not use it for a while, top the battery up every few months to keep its capacity. When the blade eventually dulls, the matching FX8700ME Japanese-Steel Wedge replacement blade and spare guide combs are on the BaBylissPRO accessories and replacement parts page. And for sectioning hair while you work, add the BaBylissPRO Croco Clips X6.

In short

• Chrome all-metal 4Artists clipper with a 45 mm Japanese-steel wedge blade
• 6300 RPM digital motor, corded or cordless on 100-240 V
• Adjustable taper from 0.8 to 3.5 mm and 8 guide combs
• Charging stand included; heavy, polished chrome body
• Built for bulk cutting, tapering and fades

Frequently asked questions