Okay, so an odd one this, but being guitarists I'm sure we all consciously take care of our fingernails, whether it be keeping them mega short for trouble-free fretting, or mega long for picking.
Up until now, I've participated in the filthy habit of nibbling my fingernails really short, but it isn't doing my teeth any good, so....
What decent nail clippers are available? ie: ones that aren't just cheap crap from a pharmacy, but actually cut cleanly, acurately, over a decent length, stay sharp and don't fall to bits or rust in a week?
I think, therefore.... I... ummmm........
Comments
My method would probably leave a doctor worried though...
I use a pair of sharp ambidextrous scissors, way too big, but hey. Then file the nails smooth with sainsburies or tescos emery nail boards. Cheap as chips..
My 'nails' are, well there is no white end bits left lol! Less than a mm at best.
No doubt in years to come I'll be having them all cut out or suffering with shitty nail health of some kind.
I think its the bending and getting a string slip under the nail that put me off having them even a tiny bit grown...
Fretting hand is easy. I bought a pair of Scholl branded nail clippers in 2009. They cut cleanly, and they have lasted well. Previous unbranded pairs were useless, poor cut and easily blunted. Now I bought mine in Italy. I don't know whether the same quality are available in the U.K. In 2017.
Right hand needs more attention. Clippers will cut away the edges of broken nails. I prefer to use a decent quality sapphire file. It can be difficult finding one which is fine enough. Most are rough and uneven. I bought mine at the same time as the clippers.
I wonder whether a fashion nail shop would have the right type of item.
Now man up and stop asking stupid questions you pussy.
https://www.amazon.com/Klhip-Ultimate-Clipper-Leather-Case/dp/B013ESV2EW
I mean to get some myself as I'm lazy when it comes to shaping my nails; I let them grow too long and have to start again. It seems that these provide a much more accurate cut that your bog standard type from Boots and such.
You may also want to consider a decent nail file, too, such as the Wolfram Precision: Crystal nail file, specifically designed for us guitarists. I bought one recently and it's made a huge difference to my tone etc. Great bit of kit for classical guitarists/fingerpickers. You can find it here:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfram-Precision-Crystal-nail-file/dp/B012AT3PKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500323318&sr=8-1&keywords=wolfram+precision+crystal+nail+file
Good luck
Niegeloh Solingen clippers or scissors and Wolfram Crystal files. The Wolfram files are excellent and have replaced my usual routine of nail file followed by 1200 grit wet or dry followed by a buff on the rough side of a horsehide belt.
The Wolfram files have saved me a lot of time.
No more strange than 'what pick do you use or 'what brand of lemon oil do you prefer', is it though, really? Our hands are the connection between us and our instrument, so I think a nail care question is pretty valid?
I find nail scissors are fine for cutting the opposite hand to whichever way you're handed and files are fine for smoothing-off, but the the only DIY solution for doing both hands is clippers, but I've found it difficult to find decent ones, hence the question.
I will take a look at those suggested so far, thanks...
I now use a stylfile clipper which cuts them in such a way that I know longer need to file them, too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/795/Nail-Stylfile-AV5P1a-S-Clipper-Clipper/B008OQLACO
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.