Oster Fast Feed Review: Andis Master is the Better Performer?

Some hair clippers are made for raw power, others cater to precision. But the Fast Feed from Oster is a tool that’s perfectly balanced between these two gradients.

With its professional-grade performance, enhanced durability and somewhat affordability, Fast feed is capable of delivering fades, tapers, buzz cuts and blends.

Also, the powerful motor paired with the taper lever leaves you some room for messing around with different hairdos without clogging down or overheating.

In this Oster Fast Feed review, I’ll bring forth everything it has to offer, and answer whether it’s going to be the perfect fit for your grooming needs!

Oster Fast Feed: Specs

Down below is a concise specifications section for the Fast Feed hair clipper. Some measurements are done by me, while a few are borrowed from Oster’s database.

• Dimensions: 17 x 4.6 x 4.3 cm
• Weight: 14.7 ounces
• Colors: 1 (Burgundy)
• Blade Material: Carbonized Stainless Steel
• Motor Type: Whisper-Quiet Pivot Motor
• Motor Power: Undisclosed
• Adjustable Blade Lever: Yes (000–1 range)
• Cutting Lengths: 0.5 mm (000) to 2.4 mm (1)
• Cord Length: 2.4 meters (roughly 8 ft)

Pros & Cons

Taking a close look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Fast Feed will help you get a basic idea whether it’s going to fit inside a barbershop or as a personal grooming setup.

What I Like

• Blade unit lets you craft blends, fades and other long gradient cuts
• Motor is powerful, static and surprisingly quiet
• Adjustable lever is intuitive and allows you to swap lengths effortlessly
• Housing consists of lasting material, blade’s carbon-steel resists rust
• Compact design enables higher maneuverability

Areas for Improvement

• Guide comb quality isn’t good enough for barbershop
• Lacks bulk removal capacity
• Corded use only

Verdict

The Fast Feed isn’t your ‘another’ hair clipper - it’s a workhorse to say the least that’s capable of crafting the most neat and tidy haircuts. It’s reliable, comfortable and a bargain to say the least. Very few mid-tier clippers are capable of delivering at such a level!

Unboxing the Oster Fast Feed

My Fast Feed arrived securely inside a trademark Oster package that unhinges on the side and opens up like a book.

Inside, on one side, the clipper rests idly inside a bubble-wrapped protective cover. On the other side, there are the accessories covered by plastic.

You’re going to get things like guide combs, cleaning brush, blade oil and even a plastic blade guard to keep the device intact during shipping.

These added elements make it a ready-to-use package system, catering to beginners who won’t need prior setup to get started!

What’s Inside the Box: Oster Fast Feed Clipper, 1 Blade Guard, 3 Guide Combs, 1 Cleaning Brush, 1 Blade Oil, User Manual.

Oster Fast Feed: Which Features Stand Out?

In this section, I’ll elaborate on the most essential elements of the Fast Feed to see what makes it stand out from the rest of the lot!

Feature Highlights

• Carbon-steel 000 to 1 blade is sharp and versatile
• Whisper-Quiet Pivot motor chops through all types of hair almost silently
• 14.7 ounces of weight marks mid-tier class
• 2.4 meter cord gives you barber-shop standard flexibility
• Sufficient traction points on the compact handle for better grip
• Adjustment lever enhances styling potential

Burgundy Aesthetics

The housing for the Fast Feed is very compact and soothing to look at. Everything is draped as a deep-burgundy tone, except for the black lever, power switch and silver of the logo and blades.

It’s made as a one-handed tool, similar to the principles endorsed by the Andis clippers. Although, the overall colorization reminds me of the Wahl Magic Clip.

At the bottom of the 6.7” handle, there’s a hook that’ll let you hand the entire thing up on the wall. However, that’s not safe storage as I’d recommend stashing it inside a dry, solid pouch.

Compact Grip with Robust Build

Fast Feed is not an oversized tool. Yet, the solid build quality makes it feel solid in my hand and the shape is just perfect for a full wraparound grip.

Although the surface isn’t rubberized, there are certain horizontal plastic textures on either side to prevent slippage even with sweaty palms.

The handle responds to precise movement inputs and the hourglass shape gives you the freedom of stroking at different angles without relying on brute force.

14.7 Ounces Mid-Weight

A compact device with 14.7 ounces is actually quite a lot if you consider larger tools at similar weight.

It indicates the premium build material that went into its construction. This weight falls into the mid-tier for hair clippers and it anchors down for controlled strokes.

Also, the handle itself feels perfectly balanced. That’s why barbers regard the Fast Feed among the finest in the industry - a tool which celebrates even weight distribution to reduce fatigue for longer grooming sessions.

Carbon-Steel Blade for Blends

The stainless steel blade in the Fast Feed is carbonized for extra-safety from corrosion and for refining the blade teeth without making them vulnerable.

Additionally, it lets you trim directly with the blade against the skin as it prevents triggering irritation or snugs or pulls.

This hair clipper has a sharp set of blades with refined teeth, letting you craft out crisp blends and eventually serve as a finisher.

Whisper-Quiet Pivot Motor

The pivot motor in the Oster Fast Feed is truly remarkable! While the numbers of torque are unknown, the motor itself feels powerful enough for all sorts of hair.

Another significant feature of this motor is its noise levels. Whisper-Quiet is an understatement as the low hum provides a soothing sound without disrupting your eardrums.

One limitation of this motor and blade combination is that they cannot bulk trim longer, denser or textured hair. Fast Feed anchors itself only for stylizing a hair body, not trimming at particular lengths.

000-1 Adjustable Blade Lever

The carbon-steel blade is managed by the adjustment lever on the left hand side. You can engage it with a one-hand grip pattern and streamline your haircut procedure.

This lever allows you to alter the blade teeth gap between 000 to 1 settings, creating room for various fades, blends, tapers and so on.

Lengthwise, the shortest you’re going to get is around 0.5 mm while the longest is somewhere around 2.4 mm. This length does play into the hands of balding men for regular maintenance.

Standard Cord Length

Fast Feed is a corded tool and there’s no denying that such tools restrict you around a power outlet. The 2.4 meter cord is standard issue for barbers and provides you sufficient room to move around.

However, the upside is that your motor will run relentlessly without the fear of the battery running out. Due to design principles, the housing doesn’t heat up that much.

You’ll notice that the cord itself connects to the handle via a thick connecting sector to prevent tear or damage to the connector, ensuring longevity even in the harshest barbershop conditions.

Guide Combs Explained

The three guide combs included in the package are 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". These lengths let you play around with the hair body at particular lengths.

But I’m not really a fan of the guard qualities as they feel lacking in durability, especially when I’m thinking from a barber’s point of view.

For home groomers, I think these should be good enough for time to time usage, allowing you to enjoy gradients from three different haircut length settings.

How Was My Experience Using the Oster Fast Feed?

Let me get into the practical details of personally using the Fast Feed for a prolonged duration. This section tells you exactly that - how it behaves in real grooming scenarios.

Experience Highlights

• Controlled and accurate strokes while blending and fading
• Quiet yet powerful and consistent motor performance
• Grip levels remain firm even during longer grooming sessions
• Cuts through all hair types without snagging (for styling, not bulk removal)
• Caters to both professionals and home groomers

Cutting Range

Out of the box, the Fast Feed has been precise and versatile. Its expertise is particularly noticeable over short to medium length hair.

The adjustable blade with the lever has allowed me to drive smoothly from 000 length, all the way up to 1 length trim gradually without altering the blade.

It creates smooth transitions in fades and tapers, providing greater control over cuts and the outcomes have been predictable - something essential for barbers.

Comfort & Handling

Fast Feed is extremely comfortable in hand due to its well-balanced weight and a compact design that’s ensured by the shape as well as grip spots.

Direct skin contact doesn’t cause discomfort even if your scalp is sensitive to blade strokes. The carbon-coating becomes a vital player in this regard.

Whether you’re performing a skin fade or a blend over slightly longer hair, Oster’s masterclass extends its expertise to ensure comfort across all such gradients.

Grooming Efficiency

Attached Let me get this out of the way - the thin blade teeth on the Fast Feed are incapable of bulk trimming coarse and longer hair.

Apart from that, the typical hair is chopped through with zero resistance. Medium to shorter length hair bodies are the ideal candidates for its prowess.

Crafting tapers, blends, fades, crew cuts, scissor-over and so on can be done swiftly as the delivery is smooth without jerks, overheating or speed drops.

How Versatile Is the Fast Feed?

Here, I’ll be discussing the versatility of the Fast Feed. First and foremost, it’s situated to create excellent fades and tapers with uncompromised quality.

Then buzz cuts belong to its list of perfect hairdos, although it’s better if you start operating on hair length between short and medium.

Scissor-over cuts are solid, so are neck trimming and hair edging due to the 000 length setting. If you want, you can even trim down or shape a beard, however, fine tuning beards is not part of its deal.

Cleaning & Maintenance

To clean the Fast Feed, you can seek refuge in the cleaning brush provided inside the package. After every haircut session, you must perform this task. Sometimes even during the procedures.

Oiling the blades regularly extends the longevity and keeps things sharp. Also, it enables smooth operations and reduces tendencies for heating up.

A couple drops of oil on the blades and running the motor for a few seconds help in even distribution. This maintenance task is to be applied after each grooming job.

How Was the Oster Fast Feed Tested?

Oster Fast Feed’s tests included full haircuts from bulk trimming to specialized ones like buzz, crew, or even balding looks.

Different fade and taper lengths were assessed to see how functional the blade gap and the lever system are.

Also, a wide variety of hair types, volumes and lengths were put within the testing metrics to get a greater understanding of its true capabilities.

Performance was not only evaluated based on cutting performance and comfort levels, but also home groomers and barbers alike were contacted for their input after years of use.

Who Should Consider the Oster Fast Feed?

I can think of four potential consumer groups for the Oster Fast Feed. First of all, it’s an ideal barber clipper for reliable and predictable corded usage to apply smooth blend styles.

Home barbers maintaining frequent trims or cutting family members hair can also consider it as Fast Feed is priced much less than the similar premium products on the market.

Some consumers prefer relentless performance with a corded tool as cordless devices come with the issue of battery running out. Fast Feed is a great deal in this regard.

Lastly, groomers prioritizing control and precision in their haircuts without the need for bulk removal should definitely consider the Fast Feed.

Oster Fast Feed vs Andis Master: A Comparative Study

A side-by-side comparison between Oster Fast Feed and Andis Master has become essential due to the growing demand by the interested consumers.

In this section, the Andis Master vs Oster Fast Feed discussion highlights four key differences of motor power, build quality, comfort levels and accessories to reach a verdict.

Motor Power & Performance

Andis Master has the more powerful motor in the two as its high-speed magnetic motor is capable of generating 14,000 strokes per minute.

Torque-wise, the RPM is around 7,0000. It’s meant for busy barbershops and caters to versatile grooming needs like bulk removal and trimming through dense hair.

Fast Feed employs a pivot motor that torques around 5,500/6,000 RPM, although the numbers are speculative. While it cannot bulk trim, the ideal area of work is precision fades, blends, tapers and refined haircuts. In general, the Master is the more aggressive in terms of raw power.

Build Quality & Tactile Feeling

Out of the two, Andis Master has the more robust build as the housing is created with rugged aluminum. The higher 23.2 ounces of weight says a lot about the build material that went inside.

First-hand consumers like professional barbers have claimed that it can last years in rough situations without giving in to pressure.

On the other hand, Oster Fast Feed is lighter at 14.7 ounces and slightly more compact. The tactile feeling is grippy as opposed to the slippery metal build of the Master.

That’s not all! Fast Feed can be utilized by beginners as it’s more forgiving and less tiring. Beginners and professionals alike can harness its expertise to focus on detailed work.

Noise, Heat & Comfort Levels

Practically, Fast Feed has been the quieter of the two due to its pivot motor design and slightly lower RPM. Furthermore, the plastic housing remains cooler than Andis Master.

In terms of noise levels, Andis Master produces loud roars and generates more heat that’s apparent through the metallic housing.

Beginners prefer the quietness and coolness of the Fast Feed while professionals are ready for the tradeoff, in return they get a more aggressive, powerful device.

Accessories & Haircut Customization

Andis Master doesn’t offer any guide combs inside the box. If you want to attach a guard, you’ll have to make a separate purchase.

In contrast, Fast Feed gives you three guards inside the box, ready for use. Despite this, the Master is the more capable tool for specific haircut lengths as the raw power and sharp blades are able to trim through any hair type or length.

Blades are still somewhat similar in the two, yet I have to admit that the Master’s blades are thicker and more robust. Fast Feed’s fine-teeth blades resemble the ones of the Fade Master.

Fast Feed and Master blades are both carbon-steel, ranging between 000 to 1 lengths. But it matters how the blade teeth are designed since it dictates the target consumer groups based on their potential performance. 

Key Takeaway: It’s simple - for heavy-duty barber work, bulk grooming and all-round compatibility, the pricier Andis Master is deemed as the industry standard for professionals.

If you’re looking for a personal hair clipper or one that crafts particular short haircuts including bleeding patterns, also lower price being a consideration, Fast Feed is more preferable in such cases.

FAQ

This section delves deeper into Oster Fast Feed’s capabilities to uncover even more hidden secrets about this magnificent device!

Q: Can the Oster Fast Feed handle thick or coarse hair?

Ans: It depends. If you’re operating on a shorter hair body, then yes, Fast Feed can handle thick or coarse hair. But the longer the length gets, it gets increasingly difficult for Fast Feed to chop through efficiently without tugging or leaving uneven patches.

Q: Can I fade cuts without changing blades?

Ans: Yes! Oster Fast Feed’s 000-1 carbon-steel blade along with the taper lever render it fully capable of different fade and taper cuts without having to change blades.

Q: Does the Oster Fast Feed get hot during use?

Ans: Every hair clipper heats up to a certain degree during operation, and a corded tool like Fast Feed is no exception. That said, even at the maxima, the heat levels remain tolerable and relatively cooler than most other industry-favorite hair clippers.

Concluding Remarks

Oster Fast Feed review recognizes this hair clipper to be a precision-driven and comfort-oriented device that can be utilized by both home groomers and professionals.

It’s built upon the principles of control in haircut instead of raw power from the motor. The noise and heat levels remain tolerable even in longer sessions.

The compact size and manageable weight class present it as an alluring choice for personal grooming, and the affordable price point in the mid-range doesn’t hurt as well.

 Overall, Fast Feed is deemed as a well-balanced corded clipper specializing in blending and fading haircuts. It has earned the reputation through everyday performance rather than hype.