Well-balanced and very compact this is one of the slimmest of the current range of professional mains powered dog clippers. The handpiece is nicely finished to give a really comfortable feel, unlike the heavily ribbed effect one gets when using the Oster A5.

The Clipper is fitted with a powerful 35w motor, which can be used at either the standard clipping speed or increased by some 25% to give greater power for heavier coat situations, thus making it a highly popular choice for the busy dog grooming parlour or for possible equine owners with nervous horses.

The low noise and vibration levels are a feature of this cool running motor, which is sealed for long life and accordingly requires little attention by way of lubrication. The easy to remove drive cap combines to give the operator access for cleaning and for the occasional routine replacement of the blade drive assembly. A blade release lever locks blades in position, and the “on/off switch is readily accessible to your thumb in case of an emergency.

The AGC 2 Speed clipper can be used with the full range of detachable Andis blades, and is fully compatible with the Oster A5 detachable blade range as well as Wahl and Moser detachable blades. Those with livestock or larger animals should consider the various makes of “wide” detachable blades for “full body” clipping.

In recent years Andis along with a few other manufacturers have had their problems, and clipper have failed to live up to expectations. As we have often remarked this is especially frustrating when peoples incomes and livelihoods are put at risk by what to the consumer appears to be nothing more than another endless string of problems.

Andis senior staff have impressed by their frankness about the problems associated with past machines and their performances, which appear to have been inflicted by third parties in the course of the production of component parts. We have been further impressed by our own practical grooming parlour tests.

Most new clippers enjoys a short "honeymoon" period, but eventually the "day of reckoning" comes and a need to establishes a reputation for reliability and endurance is made or lost. On the face of it the ANDIS AGC 2 Speed looks as if it has the ability to live up to expectations - we remain cautiously optimistic!

We certainly liked what we have seen and feel it has the potential to do well in a consumer environment

Very little really! Except…

We would like Andis (and most of the other dog clipper manufacturers!) to get the message about supplying a hard case for this type of clipper, In the twenty first century cardboard boxes are “sad.” They don’t last! and you can never repack it all in the same way as when you first opened it”. How much better it would be if a proper hard case was supplied - one that is designed to take both the clipper and all the other bits groomers need to keep with their machine - blades, combs lubricants etc.

The other point is perhaps a cautious note on the lasting power of the “locking” device fitted to the on/off switch. The one we tested was suspect and is partly the reason why we have not awarded a “5 Star” rating in the Overall section! Could this become a problem within time we are tempted to ask?

As this machine could very likely be introduced into the horse and cattle clipping arena's, attention to the "wide" (horse and cattle) blade range is now important. Within the Andis range such blades do not exist (certainly the T84 blade is a non-starter for such purposes!). The range of blades available for horses and livestock needs redressing with a degree of urgency.