Quick Verdict

These are the same clipper in two sizes, and the size you need depends entirely on your dog. The Millers Forge 767C is the full-sized professional clipper that handles medium to large dogs with thick nails — it is the Wirecutter's top pick and the groomer's standard. The 743C is the compact version for small to medium dogs with thinner nails. Both use the same hardened steel and the same blade geometry. The difference is physical scale, and getting it wrong means either struggling with a tool that is too small for your dog's nails or fumbling with one that is too large for precise work on small nails.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Cutting Performance

Winner: 767C (for medium to large dogs)

Both clippers use Millers Forge's hardened steel blades, and the cutting mechanism is identical in design. The difference is blade opening size. The 767C's wider opening accommodates nails up to approximately 5mm in diameter, which covers nearly every dog breed. The 743C's smaller opening handles nails up to roughly 3mm — sufficient for small to medium dogs but physically unable to fit the thick nails of a Labrador, German Shepherd, or any giant breed.

On nails that fit both clippers, cutting performance is essentially identical. The same steel, the same sharpness, the same clean cut. The 767C wins this category not because it cuts better, but because it cuts more types of nails. If you have a 15-pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, both clippers cut equally well — but the 743C gives you more control on those smaller nails.

Ergonomics and Handle Design

Winner: 767C (slight edge)

The 767C's longer handles provide more leverage, which translates to less hand effort per cut. This matters most on thick nails where the spring resistance is higher. The additional handle length also means your hand is farther from the cutting edge, giving some owners more psychological comfort during the cut.

The 743C's shorter handles are more maneuverable. For small dogs where you are working close to tiny paw pads and navigating between small toes, the compact size is genuinely easier to position accurately. But the shorter handles also mean more hand fatigue during a full four-paw session because each squeeze requires more grip force relative to the cutting resistance.

Neither clipper has rubberized handles, which is the one ergonomic criticism shared by both. For owners with sweaty hands or arthritis, the bare metal handles can be slippery and uncomfortable during extended sessions. The gonicc and Boshel clippers in this comparison offer rubber-coated grips, though neither matches Millers Forge's blade quality.

Safety

Tie

Neither clipper includes a safety guard or quick-stop indicator. Both are designed for users who know where the quick is and trust their own judgment. This is by design — professional groomers consider safety guards an obstruction that blocks the nail view and slows down the process.

For experienced trimmers, the lack of a guard is a feature. For beginners, it is a genuine risk. If you are not confident about locating the quick, neither Millers Forge clipper is the right starting point. The gonicc or Zen Clipper offers the safety features that beginners need, and you can graduate to the Millers Forge once your technique is solid.

Blade Durability

Tie

Same steel, same hardening process, same longevity. Both clippers maintain their edge for months of regular use — significantly longer than budget alternatives like the Boshel or gonicc. The 767C may appear to dull slightly faster because it is cutting through thicker, harder nails that put more stress on the blade edge, but this is a function of use case rather than blade quality.

Neither clipper offers replaceable blades. When the edge finally dulls after months or years of use, you replace the entire clipper. At $13-16, this is not a painful expense, but it is worth noting that the Resco Original Deluxe offers a replaceable blade system for owners who want a lifetime tool.

Value

Winner: 743C (slightly)

At $13 versus $16, the 743C costs $3 less. For owners whose dogs fall within the 743C's size range (roughly under 30 pounds), there is no reason to pay more for the 767C. You get the same professional-grade steel, the same cutting quality, and a size that is actually better suited to smaller nails.

The 767C's $16 price is still exceptional value for a professional-grade clipper. Compared to the Zen Clipper at $25 or the Resco at $25, the 767C delivers superior cutting performance for less money. The value argument between the two Millers Forge models is marginal — the real value story is how both compare to the broader market.

Versatility

Winner: 767C (decisively)

The 767C handles a wider range of nail sizes and dog breeds. If you have a multi-dog household with dogs ranging from 20 to 80 pounds, the 767C covers the entire range. The 743C tops out at medium-sized nails, leaving larger dogs unserved.

For single-dog households, versatility is less relevant. Buy the size that fits your dog. But if you can only own one clipper, the 767C's broader capability makes it the safer choice.

When to Choose Millers Forge 743C

The 743C is the right choice when:

• Your dog weighs under 30 pounds — the compact size provides better control and precision on small nails where the 767C would feel oversized
• You want to save $3 — if both clippers fit your dog's nails, the 743C is the better deal
• Maneuverability matters most — the shorter handles and smaller profile make it easier to navigate between small toes and around tiny paw pads
• You have cats too — the 743C doubles effectively as a cat nail clipper, whereas the 767C is too large for feline nails

When to Choose Millers Forge 767C

The 767C is the right choice when:

• Your dog weighs over 30 pounds — the larger blade opening is necessary for thick nails that physically will not fit the 743C
• You have multiple dogs of different sizes — the 767C handles a wider range of nail thicknesses with a single tool
• You want less hand fatigue — the longer handles provide more leverage, reducing the effort required per cut
• You want the groomer's standard — the 767C is the specific model that professional groomers and Wirecutter recommend, and for good reason

Final Recommendation

Choose the 767C for medium to large dogs, the 743C for small dogs. This is not a quality decision — it is a sizing decision. Both clippers deliver the best cutting performance in this comparison, and both cost less than inferior alternatives. The 767C wins the head-to-head because it serves more dogs, but the 743C is the better tool for the dogs it was designed for.

If you are genuinely unsure which size to buy, measure your dog's thickest nail. If it is wider than a pencil, get the 767C. If it is thinner, the 743C will serve you better. And at $13-16, buying both is cheaper than a single Zen Clipper.