I discovered long ago that a simple diagonal wire cutter works so much better than any toe nail clipper it isn’t even close.
Today I was idly smoothing a ragged fingernail with those cheap sandpaper sticks. They wear out in about a minute. You are left with nothing but a popsicle stick. So I grabbed a piece of 220 grit drywall sanding screen and it trims nails ridiculously fast and probably lasts forever.
A metal nail file intended for the purpose is far superior to drywall tools. And to the cheapo sand-sticks (read toys) sold at Walgreens.
How thick are your nails that you need wire cutters and they wear out nail files!?
You don’t have a Dremel?
or teeth ?
I use the same emery board for months. They do eventually wear out, but not for quite a while. I think I buy a new pack every couple of years.
My toenails are like steel.
A few years ago I ran across some manicurists nail clippers at a yard sale that look like small (about 5") diagonal cutters, except chromed. They’re my go-to tool for trimming toenails.
Everybody should have something like that.
I prefer a mitre saw.
I think emery boards are one of those things that has a tremendous variation in quality. Good ones (which probably use real emery, among their other differences) last a long time, while the cheap ones (with just sand) wear out quickly.
My fingernails and toenails are pretty tough, but they are much easier to cut if I do so right after showering, when they are softened by the water. Regular lever-type nail clippers work fine. I don’t think I would like cutting them with diagonal cutters since the cutting edge is straight; it seems to me that it would be awkward and require many cuts to get the right shape.
I bought some new nail clippers at the drug store recently, and they were crap, and didn’t work worth beans. I randomly picked up a cute nail clipper at a tourist shop in Japan and used it in the hotel and it was so much better than the ones I’d bought recently. (And also better than my old ones, but not by so astounding a margin.)
Anyway, nail clippers, probably like emery boards, which i don’t use, vary a lot in quality.
I’ve also seen (may even own) a tool designed to clip nails that’s structurally a lot like diagonal wire cutters. It’s a lot less convenient than traditional nail clippers for my my nails, but I’ve seen some extremely thick horn-like nails that probably benefit from something like that.
As for smoothing the edges… I usually use a tiny pocket knife (which is extremely sharp). But some of my nail clippers have a little metal file attached, and when i travel i use that. It works pretty well and seems to last forever.
My son sometimes has his nails done professionally. He gets a really hard nail polish that is UV cured. The manicurist uses a Dremel to remove any leftover from a previous visit before applying new nails.
The Diamond Deb is the Rolls Royce of nail files. I have two that are over 30 years old (seriously*) and are still usable. You won’t find them in a Walgreen’s or Target, but they do sell them at Sally’s Beauty Supply.
* Don’t ask me how I’ve managed not to lose them, because that is a mystery to me.
Oddly enough, that shop is just Sally Beauty Supply, no “s”. I guess Beauty Supply is Sally’s last name.
Yes. The photo I linked to for the wire cutters showed a larger type. The one I use is a precision wire cutter. And to answer another poster, it is no problem to cut in a curve. Us sheet metal workers have been doing it all our lives. If you have thicker nails the tip of the wire cutters gets in there and can trim them off right up to the flesh.
Finally, I guess I need to find better sanding sticks. The ones at Walmart are crap.I like those diamond versions.
Yes, i think you’ll be happier with a permanent metal-based sanding tool. A well -made I’ve ought to last approximately forever, and work better than the cheapie ones, too.
That’s a very good suggestion. For years, I’ve been shaving right after showering, for the same reason. Thanks!
Years ago our production floor had a change in procedure and pulled about 100 of these off the line.
They were going to toss them so I took about a dozen home. They are perfect for cutting nails and I think I’m set for life.
Whoops, we couldn't find that. 2293:NMOY8C:20800606:APZ_1&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22475795512&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_b_QBhCSARIsAP6hR4dvSA1nxiNXFTIFltZbaOiiRTEF2T1u43UEA2CSQZeOPWpsnXqzB0QaAqegEALw_wcB
Pool season is upon us, and after swimming, it is a good time to cut my toe nails! Otherwise, in the winter, I soak feet in a soap and lavender oil solution. My husband has always used wire cutters for his toe nails, though.
I bought a cheap pack of 6 nail files on Amazon three years ago. They were a bit coarser than usual. I regularly use them as small metal rasps when I need one in tight spaces (in addition to fingernail filing). They’ve barely even worn down.
Thanks for that correction. I hate it when I do that.