When pushed up (closed), the taper lever lets the clipper cut hair shorter; when pushed down (open), it cuts slightly longer. To create a fade, you typically start by setting your initial guideline at the desired fade height using the lever closed, then move up the head while gradually opening the lever to blend the shorter hair into longer lengths. You can also use the coloured length guards to assist with blending, starting with a lower guard near the bottom and progressing to higher guards as you move upward. By adjusting the taper lever in small increments between guard lengths, you can achieve a smooth and seamless transition without visible lines.