# I'm 55 and I've never bought a pair of fingernail clippers in my life **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 24, 2025, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288 "2025-07-24T22:10:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Calder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e99b99/32.png) [@Calder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calder)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/41 "2025-07-25T20:33:11Z")
Shrug, I guess I am the exception that proves the rule then. I just bought 3 new sets of clippers 4 days ago. They are the first clippers I have purchased in 20-30 years though. I had 2 pairs break in the last year and lost my best pair to the TSA when they claimed the tiny little nail file on it could be considered a weapon. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/42 "2025-07-25T20:37:02Z")
I don’t think I contributed to _your_ thread. It’s freakin’ nail nippers. Not some fancy schmancy sushi knife. 30 years ago maybe it was different, but I imagine Japanese buy their junk from China, Temu or Ali-express, now. Like the freaking rest of the world. I’d like to see photo evidence of a Japanese master craftsman sitting at his bench diligently crafting a pair of nail clippers. That might, I say _might_ be worth $12. When he could be making a $1500 sushi knife. Yeah, no… not happening today. Anywhere. Thanks for contributing. You do you. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/43 "2025-07-25T20:44:31Z")
I found a pair in the house, but previously used “sprue clippers”. [sprue clipper - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=sprue+clipper&hl=en&source=hp&iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaIP6kZ-VzLPNQE_ypzYaWSxGbPvbeX3a&uact=5&oq=sprue+clipper&udm=2) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/44 "2025-07-25T21:22:46Z")
Moderating: > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t think I contributed to _your_ thread. > > It’s freakin’ nail nippers. Not some fancy schmancy sushi knife. > > 30 years ago maybe it was different, but I imagine Japanese buy their junk from China, Temu or Ali-express, now. > Like the freaking rest of the world. > > I’d like to see photo evidence of a Japanese master craftsman sitting at his bench diligently crafting a pair of nail clippers. That might, I say _might_ be worth $12. When he could be making a $1500 sushi knife. > Yeah, no… not happening today. Anywhere. > > Thanks for contributing. You do you. Hey, chill. We are just chatting about nail clippers. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/45 "2025-07-25T21:34:53Z")
Based on answers [I got in this thread,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-fingernail-clippers-have-grippier-handles/844841) Yes, Yes I have purchased nail clippers. ---
**Author:** ![TheBryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@TheBryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBryan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/46 "2025-07-25T23:41:05Z")
I bought Harperton nail clippers. Right now, it’s ten bucks for a two-pack, and they work extremely well. I play guitar every day, so I use them a lot. According to Amazon, I bought them in 2017. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2025, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/47 "2025-07-26T01:07:24Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > reddit buyforlife and the rest of the internet rave about Seki Edge clippers but they will cost you the princely sum of $25 so maybe not recommended for those of you who tend to lost them. > > [Amazon.com : SEKI EDGE SS-112 Stainless Steel Nail Clipper : Beauty & Personal Care](https://www.amazon.com/EDGE-SS-112-Stainless-Steel-Clipper/dp/B07NDLKQC5) I have a pair of those. They are the single best pair of clippers I have ever owned or used. The little filing “trough” on top makes them even better. ETA: On review, mine are actually very slightly different. The filing groove on mine is deeper and therefore (IMO) better than the pair pictured. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/48 "2025-07-27T14:50:37Z")
I just located 12 nail clippers in 3 places the house, half minis, including one in my trouser pocket. My fave is a LaCrosse with a sliding “clip catcher”. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2025, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/49 "2025-07-27T15:18:25Z")
I got a little cheapie with an emery board in a tiny bag, as a free gift somewhere. I keep it in the car, it comes in surprisingly handy as I have lousy weak nails always ripping or breaking. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/50 "2025-07-29T16:42:27Z")
It doesn’t sound like a purchase I can ever remember making either. I use cuticle scissors to deal with my toenails, while my fingernails I keep bitten to fashionable perfection. ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/51 "2025-07-29T16:52:46Z")
Why bother with clippers when teeth work just as well! I am female, and occasionally have my nails long enough for a manicure….but only every 10 years, haha. I am an artist, and long nails are just a hinderance to me, though I am sure there are those who find them an advantage. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/52 "2025-08-01T16:31:36Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > I found a pair in the house, but previously used “sprue clippers”. I have bought a few pairs of fingernail clippers. Hubby’s still using the diagnonal cutters he’s been using for 40+ years. > [@knavette57](#): > > Why bother with clippers when teeth work just as well! My teeth don’t line up well enough to bite my nails. Plus I gave it up when I was about 7 because I wanted nice nails-looking nails. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/53 "2025-08-01T16:36:17Z")
Never bought a pair and never use them. (My wife has some that she uses). I tear my nails when necessary. Unrelated, I do buy corkscrews with suppressing frequency ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/54 "2025-08-01T16:45:50Z")
I’m too nervy, so I’d worry and tear at a loose hangnail or uneven edge until it was something painful. And I walk a lot so foot care is important At least a half-dozen fingernail clippers, including one always available on my keychain. A spring-handle nail nipper. A cuticle cutter with a v-shaped blade on one end and a pusher on the other. Files and emory boards (not to be confused with the [Emory Board](https://secretary.emory.edu/board-of-trustees/current-members/index.html)), and large toenail clippers: one with a concave and one with a convex face. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/55 "2025-08-01T16:50:47Z")
I have bought many pairs of both fingernail and toenail clippers over the years – they get misplaced or lost fairly easily – and use them to trim my nails at least every other week. I have a pair in each bathroom, one on my dopp kit, one in the messenger bag I take to work, and one in the glovebox of my car. There was once a poster here who said they had a big box, a large shoebox maybe, filled with nail clippers that was left in the house when they bought it. They had no use for it and it had been squirreled away in their attic for years. I offered to buy it from them so I could have clippers to give to my boy scouts, but they weren’t interested. Nail clippers are handy to have when camping or hiking. > [@Procrustus](#): > > I do buy corkscrews with suppressing frequency Interestingly, I’ve bought exactly two corkscrews in my life, both decades ago. I still have both because I don’t drink and thus have no real use for them but can’t bring myself to throw them out because you never know, I might need them someday. ---
**Author:** ![knavette57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knavette57/32/3871_2.png) [@knavette57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knavette57)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/56 "2025-08-01T23:15:32Z")
_Plus I gave it up when I was about 7 because I wanted nice nails-looking nails._ My mom despaired of me. I was even told I would get sick doing this. I do use a nail scissors now, and also an emery board. I hate dirty nails, though, and will shove soap under them and use an old toothbrush to keep them clean. My spouse uses something like wire cutters, though. Or maybe it isn’t wire cutters, but looks like that tool. He said he can never find nail clippers strong enough to really cut the nail. I told him to quit drinking so much milk! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/57 "2025-08-02T00:06:17Z")
> [@knavette57](#): > > Why bother with clippers when teeth work just as well! My front teeth don’t meet. I use a combination of clippers and sharp little knives and sharp pointy scissors. Sometimes I’ll use the file that comes on the clippers. > [@Lancia](#): > > > [@Procrustus](#): > > > > I do buy corkscrews with suppressing frequency > > Interestingly, I’ve bought exactly two corkscrews in my life I’ve never purchased a corkscrew. Someone gave us a nice corkscrew as a wedding present, and the couple of times a year i open a bottle with a cork, i use it. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/58 "2025-08-02T02:56:37Z")
A post was merged into an existing topic: [Harveytherabit Sock Posts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harveytherabit-sock-posts/1021614/8) ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2025, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288/59 "2025-08-03T10:45:54Z")
> [@knavette57](#): > > I told him to quit drinking so much milk! Funnily enough, my husband also drinks a lot of milk. I do have a permanent retainer on my bottom teeth, which means I can’t even bite off hangnails. So I use tools for any nail-related maintenance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-55-and-ive-never-bought-a-pair-of-fingernail-clippers-in-my-life/1021288.md?page=2)