Page 46 - Cosmetology

A lever type nail clipper with a file

A nail clipper or nail trimmer is a mechanical device used to trim fingernails and

toenails. Nail clippers are usually made of metal. Two common varieties are the plier
type and the lever type. Both are common household objects. Most nail clippers usually
come with another tool attached, which is used to clean the dirt out of nails. A nail
trimmer often has a miniature file fixed to it to allow rough edges of nails to be
manicured. Nail clippers occasionally come with a pocket knife or a nail catcher. The nail

trimmer consists of a head which may be concave or convex. Specialized nail trimmers
which have convex clipping ends are intended for trimming toenails, while concave
clipping ends are for fingernails. The cutting head may be manufactured to be parallel or

perpendicular to the principal axis of the clipper. Cutting heads which are parallel to the
principal axis are made to address accessibility issues involved with cutting toenails.

Nail clippers may also be entirely enclosed in a flexible plastic so that it appears less
threatening to children, especially those who are afraid of being cut by the clippers. These
are manufactured as "child-proof" nail clippers.