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Andis is one of the best-known clipper makers in barbershops, and its Master clipper is a classic. This article summarizes the company history from two public sources, then lists the Andis clippers and trimmers barbers and home users look at today, with specs read from Andis’s own product pages. It is background reading, not a test.
In this article
The Short Version
Andis says it is family owned since 1922 and that Mathew Andis created the first generation of today’s Master Clipper in the basement of his home in Racine, Wisconsin (Andis “Our Story” page). The National Barber Museum Hall of Fame entry says he was a toolmaker who emigrated in 1908 and started making hand clippers after buying the handles and molds from a bankrupt firm. The same page says he took in two partners, John Oster and Henry Meltzer, and in 1922 sold out to them to focus on new products. Andis says four generations later the company is still family owned and operated.
Quick verdict: Andis has one of the clearest origin stories in the trade, and its current clippers and trimmers list two-year warranties and US manufacturing on the maker’s pages. History is a reason to look at a brand, not proof that a given model suits your work. Use the spec table below to compare.
Good to know
Andis says it is family owned since 1922 and that Mathew Andis created the first generation of today’s Master Clipper in the basement of his home in Racine, Wisconsin.
A Note on the 1922 Date
The two sources describe 1922 a little differently. Andis marks 1922 as the year it was founded. The museum entry says Andis sold his share of an earlier partnership that year to develop new products. We are not trying to settle which framing is right, only noting that both sources agree on 1922 being a turning point. One side effect of the museum account is that it connects Andis to Oster, another clipper maker you may know. See our Oster Classic 76 guide for that brand.
Heads up
The two sources describe 1922 a little differently. Andis marks it as the year it was founded. The museum entry describes it as the year Mathew Andis sold out of an earlier partnership.
What the Sources Say About the Product
The museum entry says electric clippers of that time were unwieldy and driven by a metal cable connected to an overhead motor, and that Andis eventually perfected a small, hand-held, self-contained electric clipper that was an immediate success. It adds that after World War II the company kept developing new models as men’s hairstyles changed.
The entry also says the company has resisted diversification and is the world leader in strictly professional barber clippers. That comes from a page tied to his 1970 induction, so it may not describe the company today. The current Andis catalog includes grooming tools aimed at home users as well as professionals, so read that line as history.
How Andis Describes Itself Today
The Andis story page says the company works out of a facility “a short drive from where it all began” and uses the line “if it isn’t the best, we don’t make it.” It lists four values: creative spirit, a customer and community focus, quality, and innovation. It also describes the Andis Foundation, a nonprofit that gives grants and runs a scholarship program for children of Andis employees. These are the company’s own words, so treat them as how Andis wants to be seen.
Andis Clippers to Look at Today
We read four current Andis product pages on October 13, 2026. The table shows what the maker lists, and “list price” is what the Andis page shows, typically. Amazon may differ, so check the current price before you buy.
| Model | Motor | Blade | Runtime / power | Weight | Warranty | List price (Oct 13, 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master Cordless Black Label, Phaze blade (561895) | Rotary, 6,500 SPM | Adjustable Phaze blade, 0000 to 0A | Up to 90 min lithium-ion | 13.2 oz | 2 years | Check Andis page |
| reVITE (86000) | Rotary, 5,500 SPM, ball-bearing drive | Adjustable Fade blade, 00000 to 000; Taper blade sold separately | Up to 2 hours | 11.5 oz | 2 years | $149.99 |
| T-Outliner T-Blade trimmer (04780) | Magnetic, 7,200 SPM | Carbon-steel T-blade | Corded | 14.5 oz | 2 years | $79.99 |
| Slimline Pro Li T-Blade trimmer (33785) | Rotary, 6,000 SPM | Carbon-steel T-blade | Up to 2 hours, corded option | 4.0 oz | 2 years | $76.99 |
Sources: Andis product pages for the Master Cordless Black Label, reVITE, T-Outliner and Slimline Pro Li. All four are listed as made in the USA. Edition names change, so check the exact page for the version you want.
- Master Cordless: the cordless version of the classic, with a 6,500 SPM rotary motor and a one-speed motor. See our comparison with the Wahl Magic Clip. Check it on Amazon.
- reVITE: a lighter, slimmer metal clipper with a ball-bearing drive and up to two hours of runtime. Read our Andis reVITE review or check it on Amazon.
- T-Outliner: the classic corded outlining trimmer. Our T-Outliner review covers it in more detail.
- Slimline Pro Li: a light 4 oz cordless T-blade trimmer, often compared with the T-Outliner for detail work.
To compare brands, see our Wahl history and models guide and best professional cordless clippers.
What This Means for Buyers
- A long history is a reason to look at a brand, not proof a specific model suits you.
- Check the warranty and the exact edition. The four Andis pages we read all list a two-year warranty.
- Match the tool to the job. A 13.2 oz clipper and a 4.0 oz trimmer feel very different over a long day.
- Corded trimmers like the T-Outliner give unlimited power, while cordless models trade that for freedom of movement.
- Replacement blades and parts are easy to find for classic models.
Quick take
A long history is a reason to look at a brand, not proof a specific model suits you.
How We Researched This
We used the Andis story page, the National Barber Museum Hall of Fame entry and four Andis product pages, all read on October 13, 2026. Each historical claim is attributed to Andis, and verdicts rest on manufacturer specifications and owner and barber reports. Prices move, so check the current listing.
FAQ
When was Andis founded?
Andis says it has been family owned since 1922. The National Barber Museum entry describes 1922 as the year Mathew Andis sold out of an earlier partnership to develop new products.
Where is Andis based?
Andis says it is located a short drive from where it began in Racine, Wisconsin.
Is Andis still family owned?
Andis says so on its company page.
What is the Andis Master?
Andis calls it the clipper whose first generation Mathew Andis created. See our Master Cordless comparison for current specs.
How heavy is the Andis Master Cordless Black Label?
Andis lists 13.2 oz, with a 6,500 SPM rotary motor and up to 90 minutes of lithium-ion runtime.
What warranty do Andis clippers have?
The four Andis pages we read list a two-year warranty. Check the page for the exact edition you plan to buy.
