A lever-type nail clipper with attached file

A nail clipper (also called a nail trimmer or nailcutter) is a mechanical device used to trim fingernails and toenails.

[edit] Design

Nail cutters are usually made of metal. Two common varieties are the plier type and the lever type. Recently, a third variety of the ({push button}) type has been introduced. All 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. A nail file allows for removal of any excess nail that is jagged or has been missed. 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 poke are made to address accessibility issues involved with cutting toenails.

[edit] Construction

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

[edit] History

The invention of the nail clipper has been attributed to Chapel Carter in the year 1896. ^[1]

[edit] Notes

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nail cutters

Look up nail clipper in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.