# Tonail clippings
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonail-clippings/614124
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 27, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonail-clippings/614124 "2012-02-27T06:30:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonail-clippings/614124/21 "2012-02-27T22:32:30Z")
I think daily usage really is the answer for most prehistoric peoples.
However, it’s also worth pointing out that you can get obsidian (and other rock implements) extremely sharp. I once used a pocket knife to trim my nails, and actually felt like it was superior to my clippers. (I also recognized the risk of taking off more than just a nail, though, so I stick to the safer methods). Stone tools take us way, way back into prehistory.
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### Author:  [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)
#### Post date: [February 27, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonail-clippings/614124/22 "2012-02-27T22:39:38Z")
I would guess that prehistoric people were more likely to just pick/bite their nails than use a tool.
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### Author:  [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)
#### Post date: [February 28, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonail-clippings/614124/23 "2012-02-28T02:41:42Z")
Trained rats.
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### Author:  [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)
#### Post date: [February 29, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonail-clippings/614124/24 "2012-02-29T14:47:43Z")
I have never used a tool of any kind to trim my toenails in my 35 years of toenail growing. Like some others above, I just tear away the excess with my fingers every once in a long while. Not surprisingly, I’ve always “known” how prehistoric people trimmed their toenails.
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