The Sharpest Cut
Keeping your nails neat and tidy is an important part of your daily routine – after all, you wouldn’t go out without brushing your hair (well, not often, anyway). So no wonder that nail scissors are the #1 product everyone should have in their manicure sets and pedicure kits.
What Are Nail Scissors For?
Nail scissors can be used for a variety of things during your manicure. You can use them to cut off hangnails, or clip snagged nails, or just to cut and shorten your nails in general. Another cool use for nail scissors is cutting off fiber paper used for repairing broken nails.
How To Use Nail Scissors?
- Soak your nails for a few minutes before cutting them to soften the nails, making them softer to trim; this is especially important for thicker, tougher toenails. If your nails are brittle, this prevents them from splitting.
- Dry them well, as wet nails and nail scissors can be a painful combination if you slip.
- It’s important that your scissors are clean. Wash them regularly with a disinfectant for the sake of hygiene.
- Your nails should be trimmed often, but do not be overzealous. If you cut your nails once a week, you won’t need to worry about them getting a bit too long and risk them breaking. If your nails begin to hurt at the edges, you might be developing an ingrowing nail. If this is the case, try to trim away the bit that is causing you pain before it goes too deep, but it might be worth seeking medical advice.
- You should always make sure to cut your nails in an almost entirely straight motion, and round them a little to keep them strong. Cutting the nail straight will reduce your chance of developing ingrowing nails.
- Cut your nails using a lot of small cuts and do not try to cut away the entire “free edge”. Toenails, especially, are naturally oval-shaped, so by cutting off the edge, you are working against the natural shape of your nail.
- Wait until your nails are completely dry and file them.
See, I told you there was more to cutting nails. Now I’m going to take a look at the best nail scissors.
What Are The Best Nail Scissors?
1) Malteser Curved Nail Scissors
What Makes It Great
Made of premium stainless steel, the strange shaped, ergonomically designed handles allow them to be used by both left and right-handed users. Large enough to fit four fingers, the handles ensure that you’ll achieve a safe and accurate cut. I found these very sturdy and extremely easy to use.
Where It Could Be Improved
Although straight nail scissors are great for making little snips, if these were available with the option of a more curved blade, they would be perfect.
3 Swords Germany - brand quality STAINLESS STEEL INOX CURVED NAIL SCISSORS with case manicure pedicure grooming for professional finger...
- BEAUTY CARE TOOLS from 3 Swords Germany for professional manicure and pedicure. Our products for home and travel use convince trough highest levels of quality, modern design, durability and German engineering combined with a first class customer service.
2) LIVINGO Rounded Nail Scissors
What Makes It Great
Coming with two pairs of ergonomically designed scissors, this set is a really good buy. A comfortably weighty curved pair of nail scissors and a safety rounded tip pair that’s perfect for babies or kid’s nails so that your baby can have a safe, scratch-free sleep. Made from rust resistant stainless steel, both pairs are robust, just the right size to be used easily, and come in a neat little case. I found these easy to maneuver, and comfortable to hold and use.
Where It Could Be Improved
Upon opening, the pivot on the curved blade pair felt a bit loose, so a quick tighten and they were absolutely fine.
Professional Small Beard & Nose Hair Beauty Scissors, LIVINGO Curved and Safety Rounded Tip Grooming Trimming Shears for Nail, Facial,...
- DURABLE RUST RESISTANT Sharp Stainless Steel: Forging press manufacturing process enables high-density steel that makes 3 times harder than the normal stainless steel and are smoother cutting and extra sharp.
3) Erbe Nail Scissors
What Makes It Great
Handmade in Germany, this finely engineered pair of super sharp nail scissors has been ethically made – this avoids the use of child or slave labor in their manufacturing process, and has a lifetime warranty. A curved blade and nicely shaped handles make this pair effective at cutting nails, hair, eyebrows and so on. Robust and appealingly heavy, I like this pair of nail scissors.
Where It Could Be Improved
These scissors had to work quite hard to cut thicker nails like toenails, but they did manage it with no ill effects.
Matte Finish INOX Stainless Steel Nail Scissors by Erbe. Made in Solingen, Germany
- HANDMADE IN GERMANY - these tools are not cheap Asian imitations. These items are handcrafted by adult artisans in Solingen, Germany.
- LIFETIME WARRANTY - Guaranteed against manufacturing defects for life when you buy from Zamberg. Beware imitations sold by other companies!
4) 3 Swords Germany Inox Nail Scissors
What Makes It Great
Lightweight, yet durable and robust, this rust resistant stainless steel pair of scissors do what they’re meant to do – perfectly. The curved blade is precision cut making them perfect for salon or home use, and the well-designed tip allows for easy, painless cuticle trimming. Comfortable to hold, and easily maneuverable, it’s an easy job to make tiny precise cuts accurately.
Where It Could Be Improved
Initially they were quite stiff to open, but with use they soon loosened up, so not a deal breaker for me.
3 Swords Germany - brand quality STAINLESS STEEL INOX CURVED CUTICLE SCISSORS with case, manicure pedicure grooming - professional finger...
- BEAUTY CARE TOOLS from 3 Swords Germany for professional manicure and pedicure. Our products for home and travel use convince trough highest levels of quality, modern design, durability and German engineering combined with a first class customer service.
5) Niegeloh Nail Scissors
What Makes It Great
This solidly durable pair of nail scissors, made in Germany, are made from stainless steel, topped off with a stylish matte finish. With a curved blade to allow for a neat and tidy result, these super sharp scissors cut nails easily and comfortably. I found the cut edge of my nails didn’t even need filing – they were that smooth and snag free.
Where It Could Be Improved
There’s no escaping the fact that these scissors are on the pricey side; however, for the quality and longevity, I feel that price is justifiable.
Niegeloh Solingen Professional Nail Scissors Topinox
- Our classics are grinded by high precision CNC machines, receiving a facet cut similar to a diamond. Up to 18 different grinding steps are done on each tip of a pair of scissors. The surface is ceramic blasted, the fine polished blades and the 24ct gold plated screw give it a precious look.
How To Sharpen Curved Nail Scissors?
There are several ways to sharpen your nail scissors, but the following two are the ones I turn to most often.
Use sandpaper – grab a bit of sandpaper from your toolbox. Aim for 150-200 grit, or even higher if you want super sharp scissors. Simply cut through the sandpaper and the grit will do the sharpening job for you!
Use aluminum foil – grab a large piece of aluminum foil, fold it 4-5 times so that it’s thick but still large enough to cut through with scissors. Using full strokes, cut through the foil with your nail scissors. And voila – your scissors are now sharp!
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