Masonpark's right, that's how you end up paying more than a new one. Seen it happen a bunch.

Totally get what you mean about missing that oven smell. Found that a little spray of water halfway through helps keep them from turning into chips. It's a different tool for sure, but you can get close with some tweaks.

Liver pate is the magic bullet for my stubborn tabby too, he acts like it's a treat instead of medicine.

Man, you are so right! I saw the same thing at a shop near me, this guy was death-gripping his clippers like he was trying to strangle them. His whole shoulder was hiking up with every pass. I tried that tight grip when I was starting out and my forearm would be on fire after two cuts. Switching to holding it more like a pen, just floating it in your fingers, changed everything. It lets your wrist do the fine work instead of your elbow. How do you even start to tell a seasoned barber they're working too hard?

Did they actually talk it out or just pretend?