The clipper has a cylindrical housing including a handle containing a battery and motor and a head pivotally mounted on the handle. The head carries a stationary blade and a reciprocating blade. Motion is transmitted from the motor to the reciprocating blade through a flexible rod. One end of the rod is connected to a protrusion offset from the axis of a gear connected to the output shaft on the motor. The other end of the arm carries the reciprocating blade. A control button is provided on the head. The control button can be manipulated to disengage the handle, to permit the head to be pivoted relative to the handle.