A proper pedicure cannot be done without quality tools. One of the most popular types are wire cutters. These metal products belong to the cutting varieties. They are universal, suitable for performing men's and women's pedicures and different techniques.
They are readily used by experienced professionals in beauty salons and novice fashionistas at home. We will talk about what types of wire cutters there are and how to choose them correctly in this article.
View this post on Instagram
Posted by Unreel (@extremeofficial)
Types of nail clippers
There are three types of cutters based on their functionality:
• for the cuticle (cuticle). They are sometimes called nippers or cuticle nippers; • for fingernails; • for toenails.
Nippers for cuticles and rough skin of the side ridges are a must-have tool for trim manicures, as well as some types of combined manicures.
Fingernail clippers are an alternative to nail scissors. These pliers are larger and stronger than nail clippers and are used for working on hard and rough nails. Thanks to the powerful blades (10 to 15 mm long), they can treat ingrown toenails with minimal pain.
Pedicure nippers are distinguished by more powerful cutting edges (15-25 mm), as well as a reinforced design and greater strength. This allows you to work on rough and ingrown toenails without crumbling or crushing them.
What to choose - wire cutters or scissors?
It depends on situation. For example, you can treat the cuticle with either method; some masters prefer to do this with cuticle scissors. But scissors may not be able to cope with rough, ingrown or aging nails. In this case, wire cutters come to the rescue. The main thing is that they are of high quality.
Why do you need pedicure nippers?
Small scissors from manicure and pedicure sets do not always cope with the task. Thanks to its design features and ergonomic handles, the clippers easily cut off the toughest and thickest nail plates. They leave a clean, smooth surface, without delamination and burrs, unlike nail scissors.
This is very important, because the nails and skin on the feet are much rougher than on the hands. And in men, as a rule, they are even tougher.
Today, many types of pedicure nippers are available to craftsmen and individuals. The main task is to choose the right tool for a specific processing stage, paying attention to its purpose, material of manufacture and shape of the blades.
How to choose nail clippers?
What does it say about the quality of the instrument? First of all, this is the material from which it is made.
Nipper material
An excellent option is a stainless steel tool. It will withstand any disinfection and sharpening. And the cobalt coating makes it more resistant to chemical and thermal sterilization. Therefore, popular manufacturers of professional tools often recommend stainless steel cutters with cobalt coating.
One of the signs of the manufacturer’s integrity is the indication of the metal grade on the packaging. If it is, most likely you have a quality tool in front of you. The most common steel grades: 30Х13, 40Х13, 65Х13, 95Х18. By the way, glossiness and matteness do not affect the properties of the metal in any way, so between glossy and matte nippers, choose the ones that you like best.
Tool design
Tweezers differ not only in function and material, but also in the components of the tool. Let's start with its upper part, which is called the “head” of the cutters. Here we are interested in the “heel”.
What is a heel and what should the blades of the nippers be like?
The heel is the protrusion of the cutting part of the tweezers relative to the hinge joint. Its height affects the depth of the cuticle and skin around the nail.
This means that nippers with a heel can capture more of the cuticle and skin than those without a heel. They are best used for treating rough leather. If the client’s skin is thin with closely spaced vessels, it is better to use an instrument with a small heel or without it.
It is also recommended for beginners to use nippers without a heel, since it is more difficult to control the cutting progress, and this increases the likelihood of grabbing too much and damaging the skin. For beginners, it is better to choose a tool with a minimum projection angle.
What else is worth paying attention to? The shape and size of the cutting part and the length of the blades are important. The cutting edges must be sharp, smooth, without chips, dents or nicks. The blades should be identical and close tightly from tip to heel without gaps, have a sharp nose and converge in front to one point. This can be checked by doing a light compression with the spring removed.
The shape of the blades depends on the angle of inclination of the cutting edges. The length of the blades varies: from 4 to 20 mm. If you are looking for nail clippers for yourself and your nails are small and narrow, then clippers with 4-6mm blades will suit you. If you have little experience with wire cutters, also choose a tool with a shorter blade length, this will reduce the risk of injury.
What should the hinge mechanism be like?
In addition to the “head” of the pliers, their “joint” (or lock) is important to us for quality work. This is what the hinge joint is called.
The joint is a part of the pliers, consisting of two halves connected by a rivet. The strength of this part of the tool ensures its long service life. If the lock is defective, no sharp blades will save you, you will have to change the tool.
In the area of the hinge joint, the tightness of the elements is important. To do this, we need to evaluate the wings of the joint from the side. The seam in this place should not have large gaps or irregularities. The parts should be located close to each other, this will ensure the reliability of the tool. If everything is in order with this component of the nippers, they will probably last a long time.
Before purchasing a tool, be sure to move its handles in different directions to make sure that there is no play between the parts of the joint. In this case, the blades should not move, and the springs should be in the non-working position. If during such a check there are no clicks, this indicates good quality of assembly and that the cutters will not fail during operation.
What should the spring mechanism be like?
The spring mechanism of the cutters can be presented in the form of one or two springs or in the form of a spiral. Nail industry professionals advise giving preference to a mechanism with two springs; in second place in terms of practicality is the spiral version, in third place is the single version.
Often manicurists work without springs at all, but it is difficult to remove them yourself at home.
How long should the handles be?
It is very important that the tool fits comfortably in your hand, so the size of the handles should correspond to the size of the brush. For example, for craftsmen with small brushes, pliers with standard or slightly longer handles are suitable. If your fingers are thin, pay attention to handles with attachments, this may be your option.
Important! Choose a tool whose handle does not pop out when closed.
Comfortable handles bring us to the next criterion for choosing a tool.
Smooth ride
When checking the operation of the hinge mechanism, make sure that the handles do not bounce when pressed and pressed, otherwise you may injure yourself or the client. Tweezers should not work jerkily or jam during squeezing and unclenching.
It is important that the handle does not rest against the central part of the hand. It should go slightly beyond the center, come out from the depths of the palm, otherwise in the future it threatens rapid fatigue and discomfort, squeezing blood vessels and nerves.
Important! If the wire cutters are too tight, don't expect to work them out and it will go away. Take those you feel comfortable with right away.
The nippers should have a smooth and soft stroke, but not “loose”. To do this, pay attention to the spring. A double spring is considered smoother, but single springs are less likely to break.
Sharpening quality
Another very important criterion. If the tool is not sharpened well, it will tear and pull the skin. If the nippers are well sharpened, they will cut it smoothly. This tool will serve you for more than three years. For high-quality sharpening, use a diamond disc.
How to check the wire cutters according to this criterion? Ask the store to cut through the plastic film with tongs. If they pass your test, you can safely choose this model.
Criterias of choice
Although the range of such instruments is not extensive, when making a purchase, it is worth paying attention to certain indicators. These include:
- quality;
- ergonomics;
- convenience;
- blade width;
- sharpness of the cutting element;
- material of manufacture;
- design;
- sharpening;
- closing mechanism.
Professional tweezers are made of high-quality medical steel. It is sometimes called alloyed or cosmetic. Popular manufacturers of such tools use carbon, alloy or stainless material with a cobalt coating, which will have high anti-corrosion characteristics. Such products are resistant to chemical or thermal disinfection. Nippers for nail technicians can have a matte, mirror or glossy finish.
Beginning craftsmen can use tweezers with a short blade, the length of which does not exceed 5 mm. This will allow you to use the tool comfortably and protect against injury to the skin or nail plates. Short nippers are intended more for cutting cuticles, while long nippers can be used to remove hard, rather rough or ingrown elements of the nail plates.
Factory professional sharpening will make it possible to effectively and painlessly trim even hard cuticles. The sharpness of the blade can be checked at a retail outlet on a piece of polyethylene. It is better to immediately discard products that, when tested, will only stretch the plastic bag along the edge, since they will cope with their intended purpose rather ineffectively.
When purchasing, you should also check for burrs and the evenness of the blade itself. When there is a gap in the closed state or there are grooves (metal fusion), it is highly not recommended to purchase such a product. The smoothness of movement ensures convenience when working with this tool, so nail and cuticle nippers are selected based on personal sensations.
The master's hand should not get tired when working with this tool. The closing mechanism must work perfectly. There should be no jamming or sharp clicks in these products. Checking the handles for slippage will ensure maximum ease of use.
Which brand of wire cutters is better?
Now you know what points you should pay attention to when choosing cuticle and nail nippers. Their choice is quite wide, how not to get lost in this variety? There are several brands that have already established themselves as manufacturers of high-quality and durable tools; we settled on three.
Among the most popular brands of professional manicure instruments are Yoko and Metzger. These are the nail clippers that nail technicians prefer.
"Stalex"
A popular brand with a wide range of nippers. “Staleks” manicure clippers are made of stainless steel, are distinguished by professional sharpening, stylish design, easy and smooth operation during operation.
Yoko
The tools of this brand are durable and wear-resistant. Yoko manicure clippers are resistant to any type of disinfection and sterilization. Many models are sharpened by hand.
Metzger
Metzger wire cutters are made of high quality steel. They are resistant to thermal and chemical disinfection and can also be processed in a sterilizer.
No matter how luxurious the instrument is, it must be stored and handled correctly.
Rating of the best nail and cuticle clippers
In order to choose the most suitable nail and cuticle clippers for the master, you need to familiarize yourself with the opinions of experts, technical characteristics and user reviews. The editors of YaNashla have prepared a short overview of the most popular products among our compatriots.
ZINGER B-188
The German manufacturer offers the domestic market high-quality nail and cuticle clippers. The products are made of high-quality steel, equipped with strong fastening of parts in the form of a hinge joint and metal plates as a release element.
The convenient shape of the product allows you to trim your nails efficiently without damaging the cuticle and skin around the nail. The dimensions of the device are 105x7 mm, and the weight is 0.05 kg.
The cost of the tool is 424 rubles.
wire cutters ZINGER B-188
Advantages:
- weight;
- elasticity;
- Ease of use;
- blade sharpness;
- price;
- reliability;
- wear resistance;
- manual sharpening.
Flaws:
- Over time, the blade loses its former sharpness;
- If handled carelessly, it can easily cause cuts.
Metzger PY-843
The Pakistani manufacturer offers consumers high-quality wire cutters at an affordable price. Durable stainless steel is used for manufacturing. It is wear-resistant, durable and corrosion-resistant.
The convenience of the handles and the sharpness of the blade make it easy to process thickened or deep corners of the nail. The tool is suitable for home and professional use. The cutters are equipped with a double spring. Product dimensions – 100x16 mm.
The cost of the tool is 550 rubles.
Metzger PY-843 cutters
Advantages:
- ergonomics;
- blade sharpness;
- accuracy;
- smooth ride;
- strength;
- reliability;
- manual sharpening;
- steel quality;
- practicality;
- price.
Flaws:
- blades may become clogged;
- the end of the handle can rest against the palm.
Mozart House 05566-K
The German manufacturer supplies domestic consumers with manicure tongs made from highly alloyed, stainless and high-quality material. The combination of titanium and zirconium gives the instrument a noble silvery tint. These nippers are ideal for effective home and professional use. The cutting part is 5 mm. The dimensions of the product are 18x7x2 cm.
The cost of the tool is 515 rubles.
wire cutters Mozart House 05566-K
Advantages:
- quality of sharpening;
- durability;
- price;
- blade sharpness;
- Ease of use;
- silicone nozzle;
- tool size;
- smooth ride;
- ergonomics;
- manual sharpening;
- design;
- reliability;
- wear resistance.
Flaws:
- softness of metal;
- The blade does not close completely.
STALEKS CLASSIC N3-12-08
This product from a Ukrainian manufacturer is perfect for home use, but not every professional craftsman will take it for regular use. The material for production was high-quality stainless steel, which is used for the manufacture of surgical instruments. Such instruments can be disinfected using aggressive solutions. The dimensions of the product are 16x7x9 cm, and the weight is 55 g.
The cost of the tool is 830 rubles.
wire cutters STALEKS CLASSIC
Advantages:
- ergonomics;
- sharpness of sharpening;
- weight;
- size;
- Ease of use;
- quiet operation;
- quality;
- design;
- lack of lumen;
- reliability;
- durability;
- practicality.
Flaws:
- Do not cut wet skin.
Saem Revolution Nail Clipper
The pliers from this manufacturer will become indispensable assistants at home and in the professional field. The tweezers fit easily in your hand without requiring much effort when pressing. These nippers can be rotated 360 degrees in your hand, which makes it possible to process even hard-to-reach areas.
The material for the manufacture of this product was high-quality metal that is not subject to corrosion. The compactness of the tweezers allows you to carry them in a cosmetic bag, which is very convenient when unexpected situations arise related to nails.
The cost of the tool is 490 rubles.
Saem Revolution cutters
Advantages:
- blade sharpness;
- efficiency;
- ergonomics;
- compactness;
- strength;
- Ease of use;
- quality;
- design;
- practicality;
- durability;
- price;
- wear resistance.
Flaws:
- soft material.
Runail 0613
This product from a Chinese manufacturer is affordable and compact. Many users do not recommend using them professionally for trimming nails or cuticles, but they are quite appropriate for doing manicures at home. The thin working edges of the blade allow you to cut cuticles of any thickness.
The tweezers are sharpened at the factory, but at home you need to increase the sharpness of the tool with extreme caution. The product is equipped with a double spring. The blade length is 7 mm. High quality stainless steel was used to make the cutters. The weight of the product is 42 g.
The cost of the tool is 305 rubles.
Runail nippers 0613
Advantages:
- steel quality;
- price;
- compactness;
- sharpness of sharpening;
- ergonomics;
- reliability;
- weight;
- size;
- design.
Flaws:
- cannot be dropped;
- no factory sharpening;
- It is not recommended to leave it in a disinfectant solution for a long time.
Yoko SK 001
Professional nail clippers are made of high-quality Japanese steel. The tweezers have the correct alignment of the blades. Going through several stages of processing allows the cutting edges of the product to acquire strength and ensure durability. They are sharpened by hand.
The attractive design makes this tool a pleasant addition to a woman's cosmetic bag. The device is equipped with a single spring. The dimensions of the cutters are 103x5.5 mm.
The cost of the tool is 800 rubles.
Yoko SK wire cutters
Advantages:
- sharpness of sharpening;
- blade convergence;
- Ease of use;
- ease of operation;
- ergonomics;
- does not require sharpening;
- strength;
- durability;
- quality;
- tip on blades;
- wear resistance;
- smooth ride;
- manufacturing material.
Flaws:
- price.
SINGI NC-5000 Rotary Nail Clipper
The product from the Korean manufacturer of this brand is distinguished by the presence of a concave cutting edge, which allows you to trim fingernails, but will be ineffective against hangnails. The blade of the pliers is equipped with a special design that allows it to rotate 360 degrees. The metal part of the tool is made of high quality stainless steel.
Directly under the plastic handles there is a built-in container into which all the cut nails of the nail plate fall. With the help of these clippers you can give your nails any shape. The original design of this device makes it possible to provide maximum comfort when performing all necessary procedures. The dimensions of the product are 13x22x77 mm.
The cost of the tool is 220 rubles.
nippers SINGI NC-5000
Advantages:
- ergonomics;
- design;
- reliability;
- practicality;
- Ease of use;
- quality;
- wear resistance;
- 360 degree rotating cutting element;
- blade sharpness;
- versatility.
Flaws:
- Plastic handles may be damaged during operation.
Nail Secrets
This product uses high-alloy heat-resistant steel with a huge margin of safety. The instrument tolerates immersion in a disinfectant solution well, as it has anti-corrosion properties. The kit includes a hex key. This allows you to use the tweezers for a long time, getting real pleasure from the procedures.
The presence of a protective silicone case makes it possible to ensure long-term preservation of the product in its original form. The ergonomic shape ensures maximum comfort during use.
The cost of the tool is 450 rubles.
Nail Secrets nippers
Advantages:
- the roundness of the handles allows you to reduce pressure on your hands;
- The 5mm blade is great for working on rough nails or cuticles;
- reliability;
- ergonomics;
- design;
- durability;
- compactness;
- blade sharpness.
Flaws:
- Although the springs of the device are reinforced, over time they lose their elasticity.
Raffini Professional
The product from the Chinese manufacturer has a modern ergonomic design. The material for the manufacture of tweezers was high-quality medical stainless steel, characterized by anti-corrosion properties. They are perfect for professional or home use. The blades fit tightly to each other, which provides maximum comfort for the master.
The compact size of the product makes it easy to carry the tweezers in a lady's cosmetic bag. The high quality of the material allows you to use the nippers for a long time without additional sharpening. The design of the product is original. This makes such an instrument a desirable acquisition for the fair sex.
The cost of the tool is 359 rubles.
Raffini Professional nippers
Advantages:
- quality;
- Ease of use;
- compactness;
- manual sharpening;
- ergonomics;
- design;
- price;
- reliability;
- wear resistance.
Flaws:
- no cover for blades.
LOMBARD CUTLERY
The product of the Italian manufacturer is popular among professional craftsmen. The pliers are distinguished by straight blades with one-sided factory-type sharpening and a steel color, giving them a noble and aesthetic appearance. The high-quality steel used in their manufacture, as well as the sharpness of the sharpened edge of the cutting element, make it possible not to injure the skin around the cut, but to effectively cope with nails of any thickness.
Chrome plating makes it possible to carry out disinfection in any available way. The cutters are highly resistant to corrosion and compact in size. The dimensions of the product are 10x7 mm.
The cost of the tool is 2,624 rubles.
LOMBARD CUTLERY cutters
Advantages:
- compactness;
- blade sharpness;
- design;
- ergonomics;
- versatility;
- reliability;
- wear resistance;
- strength;
- practicality;
- The tips of the nippers are able to reach even hard-to-reach areas of the nail plates.
Flaws:
- price.
How to care for nail clippers
To ensure that your manicure is always of high quality and safe, and that the tool lasts as long as possible, there are a few simple recommendations.
The working process
- When working, always place the tweezers with the cutting part facing up. Do not throw them with the sharp blade facing down, this will avoid scratches and nicks.
- Before starting work, grab the tool with your palm on top, then turn your hand over. The index finger should be under the running gear and not too close to the blade, and the thumb should be on top of the running gear. The remaining fingers should be located along the line of the left handle (for left-handed people - vice versa).
- Always position the pliers with the blade facing away from you and the client to avoid accidental injury.
Care, sterilization and storage
- Store your cutters in a protective silicone or plastic cap and case. After sterilization, place them in a craft bag. Never store metal tools in damp or damp conditions. The recommended indoor temperature according to SanPiN is from 21°C, and humidity is 40-60%.
- Each instrument has its own individual characteristics. When disinfecting and sterilizing, be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations so that the instrument lasts longer. Pay attention to the proportions for preparing the disinfectant solution, the recommended exposure time in it and the temperature during heat treatment.
- After sterilization, it is recommended to lubricate the nippers with oil - 1 drop on the contact surfaces.
Sharpening
- If the tongs become dull or fall with a sharp edge onto a hard surface, they must be immediately sharpened or repaired to restore the geometry of the head, blades, and joints.
- If you work in a salon, it is recommended to sharpen the tongs at least once every six months to a year, depending on the flow of clients. When used at home, a professional tool can last about 3-5 years without the need for sharpening.
- Give the nippers to a specialized service; do not experiment with sharpening at home. This can damage the instrument, sometimes beyond repair.
Follow these rules, and you will be guaranteed long-term comfortable work with pliers.
Now let’s sum it up in a short checklist! Imagine that you come to a store of tools and materials for manicure. These simple questions will help you make the right choice.
A short checklist for choosing wire cutters
- What material is the tool made of? It's good if it's made of stainless steel. And if the metal grade is indicated on the packaging - even better!
- What is the “heel” of the tool? If you are a beginner, choose with or without a small heel. If you are already confident in using wire cutters, you can choose one with a more prominent protrusion.
- How long is the blade? We choose either for our own nails (if we do a manicure for ourselves) or for the most common type of nails (if we work with clients). We also take into account our experience: if it is small, then we choose smaller blades.
- Do the blades close tightly? Are they sharp and smooth enough (without dents, nicks or chips)? If the answer is yes, move on!
- Is everything okay with the “joint”? We carry out the test by making movements with the handles of the pliers.
- What does the spring mechanism look like? We give preference to two springs or a spiral, although single springs are less likely to break - they all have their advantages.
