For thick toenails.clippers or nippers?

[J. Roger]

O.K. so it's finally time to remove the wood file from the medicine chest and return it to the garage.



Decided to get myself a decent tool to cut my toenails with.


What is the deal with nippers that look like wire cutters? Do they work better than traditional clippers? (assuming that you compare models from the same price point)


I think I'd prefer sticking with clippers, but hey, if there is strong favor for the nippers I might give them a shot.



Please, no $500 suggestions...given what me feet look like (they stay covered) $20-$25 will do just fine

 

[cb91710]

I used wire cutters before my wife showed me the nail cutters with the reverse curve.

Yes, that's what they are for and they work great. Regular nail clippers, even the large ones, will not cut through my big toe nails, but I use the cutters on my fingers as well.

 

[u2u]

Nippers are far better in terms of cutting power, control, and ease of use. This is more so if you get any flexibility and reach problems related to age. I owned several inexpensive ones over the years and none stood up to ongoing use. Buy a good pair and buy only once. Worth it in the long term.

 

[cb91710]

Cutters - Clippers - Nippers.
Define "nippers" please?

I am defining "cutters" as those the OP referenced as looking like wire cutters, and "clippers" as the long, thin tool that you squeeze and the jaws close all at the same time.

 

[Deltaboy]

Trim brand at Sallys work plus I got a pair of small nips from the electrical section of the hardware store. Try Lowe's or Home Depot.

 

[J. Roger]

Not necessarily the models I'm looking at, just general shape of them

nippers:


clippers (but straight for toenails):

 

[J. Roger]

Dremel

Been there done that...wood file gives better control

 

[Slash McCoy]

This might be the solution. It worked for Fred Flintstone.
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2162059/pg1

 

[Nadir M]

LOL This thread is disgusting. Just sayin'.

 

[CanuckShaver]

Try this:

http://www.amazon.com/Seki-Edge-Sta...=1376907286&sr=8-1&keywords=seki+nail+clipper

I've had mine for over 10 years and still as sharp as new.

 

[dieselfuel79]

Maybe the ParaDa clippers made by feather? They come in 3 sizes. WCS website has them for under $25, and claims the large size is quite large.

 

[malocchio]

Check out http://www.zamberg.com before you buy anything,these are the guys that sell the best.

 

[J. Roger]

All kidding aside, thanks for the comments guy.

Seeing that many fellow thick toenailers whom have tried both styles seem to prefer nippers, I'll keep an eye open for them.

I stopped at a few high end pharmacies yesterday to see what they had. All the nippers, and all but one of the clippers were made in China or Pakistan(?!)...the only clippers made in Japan were some Tweezermans made by Kai (no Seki or Parada yet). Really keeping an eye out for Japan and German made models. Still have a few places to check.




Deltaboy,
I have tried small electrician's nips in the past, but they didn't really work out in my case.

 

[dieselfuel79]

Not necessarily the models I'm looking at, just general shape of them

nippers:
View attachment 360459

...These are cuticle nippers, not nail nippers.

 

[J. Roger]

...These are cuticle nippers, not nail nippers.

Perhaps they are, the main difference being that toenail nippers have bigger jaws than cuticle nippers, I can't really tell from such a tiny picture.

I just grabbed a picture from the web at random to give an idea of the shape of nippers in general.

 

[dieselfuel79]

Perhaps they are, the main difference being that toenail nippers have bigger jaws than cuticle nippers, I can't really tell from such a tiny picture.

I just grabbed a picture from the web at random to give an idea of the shape of nippers in general.

Oh, no worries at all. I wasn't even aware that there were such a thing as nail nippers. My wife was actually the one that pointed it out to me. But you're right, they basically look the same.

 

[J. Roger]

Just to button-up this thread, I couldn't find quality made nippers locally, so I got the Teezerman toenail clippers made by Kai in Japan ($15 at Shopper's in Canada)

They are the straight edge version set at a 35 degree(?) angle.

I'm really quite pleased with them. They are very sharp, and leave a clean crisp edge that doesn't need filing.

What is a bit unusual is that the two cutting edges are slightly offset to one-another, apparently keep them sharper longer.



Basically, they do what they should do, and do it well.

 

[adriang]

Might be a dumb question!

But is it obvious the are made by Kai?

I'm in the market for some, last pair of tweezermans rusted on me. Sounds like yours are worth hunting down!

Just to button-up this thread, I couldn't find quality made nippers locally, so I got the Teezerman toenail clippers made by Kai in Japan ($15 at Shopper's in Canada)

They are the straight edge version set at a 35 degree(?) angle.

I'm really quite pleased with them. They are very sharp, and leave a clean crisp edge that doesn't need filing.

What is a bit unusual is that the two cutting edges are slightly offset to one-another, apparently keep them sharper longer.



Basically, they do what they should do, and do it well.

 

[J. Roger]

Might be a dumb question!

But is it obvious the are made by Kai?

I'm in the market for some, last pair of tweezermans rusted on me. Sounds like yours are worth hunting down!

Good point, not all of the Tweezermans are made by Kai, some of them were generic "Made in China" ones.

If you look through the side of the packaging you can see "KAI / Stainless / Made in Japan"





I'm not saying that they are the best in the world or anything, but they are much better than the typical $5 drugstore variety. They remind me of my old "Made in the USA" TRIMs, that I lost a number of years ago.



Lee Valley also has some Kai clippers (click on "view" to see Kai etching on clippers):

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=70092&cat=2,42551

 

[onefallinghope]

Maybe the ParaDa clippers made by feather? They come in 3 sizes. WCS website has them for under $25, and claims the large size is quite large.

I was going to say this, but wanted to scan the thread first to see if it was already mentioned. I purchased the Feather ParaDa's in medium and large a few years ago - most fantastic menial grooming product purchase that I have ever made.

Fair warning, I don't use the large anymore, just the medium. I think the large is made for Shrek.

If you want to stick with a clipper instead of a nipper, these are the ones to go with!!