# Nail trimming pre-1800s **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 28, 2019, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626 "2019-10-28T23:53:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/21 "2019-10-29T21:41:55Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Interesting. So, your book says that, across the globe, common people had access to iron tools FOR LUXURY PURPOSES SUCH AS TRIMMING NAILS such as the example you gave? Or is it just across all of England? In London? Because, frankly, that seems far fetched to me, so I’d love to see a linked site or maybe you could quote from your book a paragraph demonstrating this extraordinary claim. The book’s specific to London, but also mentions other European finds. I see no reason to doubt their regional ubiquity. I have made no claim for what sprung scissors were or weren’t used for, merely their ready availability to even common folk. > [@](#): > > Just for reference, when I said ‘most people’ there, I didn’t mean ‘most English’ or even ‘most of Europeans’, I was kind of talking about most humans. Sorry, I’m not moving with you to wherever you’re taking those goalposts. I was responding to points about what an ordinary blacksmith could or couldn’t make, pre-1800s, since that was the Op’s question. What they did in Borneo or Amazonia is irrelevant. > [@](#): > > But I’d be shocked if even most people (mainly poor people) even in England or even in London had access to items like that in the 15th century, but hell, I’m not a historian so feel free to educate me on this. I already did. Your apparent incredulity is no counterpoint to an actual cite (Pgs 58-61 and Table 1 on page ix are probably the most relevant parts, BTW). ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/22 "2019-10-29T21:50:34Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I have made no claim for what sprung scissors were or weren’t used for Let me correct myself - “no claim other than sewing”, that is. Which practice, I think you’ll find, was fairly widespread… ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/23 "2019-10-30T21:45:18Z")
Also, before clippers were invented, a majority of people labored with their hands, which naturally kept your nails shorter. Intellectuals that didn’t work with their hands did have longer nails. But trimming your fingernails has been around for a long time. There’s a reference in the old testament of a woman trimming her fingernails. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/24 "2019-10-31T00:54:59Z")
> [@yabob](#): > > Huh? as far as I’m concerned, you don’t need a tool at all. I have a pair of nail clippers lying around somewhere, but when I notice that my nails need clipping, I usually just start them with a thumbnail or my teeth if that proves difficult, and tear the extra nail off. The rough edge wears smooth very quickly. Ditto. I’ve almost never cut my nails with a clipper. You don’t need a tool at all to do it. I’ve just only used my hands to get any long toe nails in order, and I bite my nails, so that keeps those cut back. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/25 "2019-10-31T11:31:22Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Interesting. So, your book says that, across the globe, common people had access to iron tools FOR LUXURY PURPOSES SUCH AS TRIMMING NAILS such as the example you gave? Or is it just across all of England? In London? Because, frankly, that seems far fetched to me, so I’d love to see a linked site or maybe you could quote from your book a paragraph demonstrating this extraordinary claim. > > Just for reference, when I said ‘most people’ there, I didn’t mean ‘most English’ or even ‘most of Europeans’, I was kind of talking about most humans. But I’d be shocked if even most people (mainly poor people) even in England or even in London had access to items like that in the 15th century, but hell, I’m not a historian so feel free to educate me on this. Uh, the scissors I normally use on my nails are sewing scissors. I’ve also been known to use kitchen scissors. Attempts at using either clippers or those little curved scissors have led to cussing and frustration. That apparently you would use different scissors for sewing, cutting meat and clipping your nails doesn’t mean everybody else does, or used to. And trimming nails isn’t always a luxury. I’ve used the same sewing scissors to trim the nails of old people and of babies. You really don’t want a baby’s nails to get too long. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/26 "2019-10-31T12:47:43Z")
Puly, you say you only use your hands to deal with your toenails - after hand shaking, do folk complain about your grip? Do you tear your nails along the perforations, or just rip 'em out entirely? Really, I have thick nails, and I’d find a detailed account of your technique useful, perhaps. And I’m impressed with the number of posters who use their teeth. On their toenails? I’m no longer flexible enough for that. In fact I gave up using the mouth tools on my fingernails last year, when I chipped an incisor; haven’t found the easy approach to using my molars. Yet. Dan ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/27 "2019-10-31T13:44:17Z")
All you nail biters are in trouble with the Big Guy, BTW. No, the other Big Guy. Nail biting is _makruh_ - not outright forbidden, but specifically called out as detestable in the eyes of Allah. _Swallowing_ them is right out. _Haram_. There’s also _hadith_ on nail trimming going back to Abu Hurairah, one of Muhammad’s companions. We even supposedly know the order in which Muhammad liked to cut his nails. And Friday is definitely the best day to cut your nails. Other days are OK. Except Wednesday. Never Wednesday. You’ll catch leprosy. Note the operative word there - cut, not file. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/28 "2019-10-31T13:48:21Z")
> [@Dandan](#): > > Puly, you say you only use your hands to deal with your toenails - after hand shaking, do folk complain about your grip? Do you tear your nails along the perforations, or just rip 'em out entirely? Really, I have thick nails, and I’d find a detailed account of your technique useful, perhaps. Depending on how thick they are it’s not gonna help much, but in any case it’s easier to trim them right after a hot bath or shower; they’re softer. At that time I can use my fully-dried and back to normal strength fingernails to start a clip on the side of any of my toenails (not my mother’s, but her toenails are ridiculously thick). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/29 "2019-10-31T14:11:35Z")
When I was doing more physical work. Construction and stuff. I rarely needed to trim my nails. They just wore down. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/30 "2019-10-31T14:20:50Z")
Toenails, too? Dan ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/31 "2019-10-31T14:22:43Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Depending on how thick they are it’s not gonna help much, but in any case it’s easier to trim them right after a hot bath or shower; they’re softer. At that time I can use my fully-dried and back to normal strength fingernails to start a clip on the side of any of my toenails (not my mother’s, but her toenails are ridiculously thick). Your mother must be related to me and my mother. I inherited my mother’s ridiculously thick toenails. If I don’t remember to trim them, they can break threw a sneaker. And I have to use the big scissors to cut them. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/32 "2019-10-31T14:36:26Z")
I’ve never used the nail clippers in the manicure set. The cuticle scissors are a much more effective nail-cutting implement. But the real truth is I don’t need any implements at all. When they hit a certain length I can just, starting at one edge, tear off the excess length. That sounds kind of violent but it’s not, peel off is probably a better word choice. It’s quick and easy and it works, almost like my nails were designed to be maintained this way. Granted, I usually cut and trim my fingernails the socially acceptable way since I like my fingernails a little longer and more shaped than this method allows, but it’s how I do my toenails. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/33 "2019-10-31T15:06:01Z")
So, some toenails ARE perforated! I just trimmed mine (always hard work; must soak first, and then bend double to reach) but I will examine mine for a possible side-tear. Little apprehensive about tearing - I don’t look forward to the possibility that the tear could run sideways into the quick. Anyone have experience with nail-softener? Anyone using powerful compound-action side cutters they would recommend? Dan ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/34 "2019-10-31T15:30:27Z")
I very rarely bother to use clippers. Like others I just use another nail to slice/tear off the excess, then tidy up any ragged edges. I imagine that was perfectly sufficient for our pre-manicure ancestors. One thing I have never managed to do though is bite through a nail. I’d heard of people biting their nails, but never did it myself. I’ve tried and I can’t bite through my nail at all! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/35 "2019-10-31T15:31:22Z")
I go to a farrier to get my toe nails done. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/36 "2019-11-01T03:57:40Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I go to a farrier to get my toe nails done. Quit horsing around. :dubious: Fingernails: I chew. I have always chewed. If any deities object, they’ve not told me, so I see no reason to stop. There’s not enough left for strumming but that’s what flatpicks and fingerpicks are for. Toenails: I chewed when I was young and lithe. Now mine are rather thick and should be registered with the sheriff. I trim with my EMT seatbelt-cutting shears but I may switch to a Dremel Moto-Tool like my podiatrist wields. Elbownails: I try to avoid those. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626/37 "2019-11-01T14:36:56Z")
> [@Dandan](#): > > Puly, you say you only use your hands to deal with your toenails - after hand shaking, do folk complain about your grip? No. I’m not particularly built or strong or anything like that. OK, this description might be a little gross, but I just dig a thumbnail (which isn’t particularly sharp or anything–after all, like I said, I’m a nail biter, so it’s always trimmed back) in from the side and peel off the top, I dunno, eighth (quarter?) of an inch of nail. It comes off like a crescent most of the time. It does help to do it, as **Nava** mentions, after a bath or hot shower when your nails are a bit softer, but most of the time I do it when I just feel my toe nails are starting to feel long. I mean, I’ve gone a good ten years or so at times without ever using toenail clippers. Now, I occasionally get my toe nails clipped, but that’s because it’s something my wife enjoys doing, so she’ll clip my nails from time to time, but as for the last time I personally used a toenail clipper or anything other than my fingers to get them off? I really can’t remember. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nail-trimming-pre-1800s/842626.md?page=1)