A Guide on Choosing the Right Cuticle Nipper

When you are looking for a cuticle cutter, one of the things that you will notice there are many different nipper types and brands, we sell and work with STALEKS PRO. This brand is professional quality. Manufactured in Ukraine and hand sharpened. There is a lot of different terminology used to describe nippers. So even if you have read or have experience how to use cuticle nipper, you may have trouble finding the perfect cuticle nippers.

Even on our website there are over a 100 different models and variations of professional cuticle nippers. There are many nail tools used to remove the cuticle during a combi- Russian manicure and no combination is "the right" way to do it, it is all about preference and what will work best for you.

We will break down some of the common questions and differences between nippers that should help you narrow down the type that is going to work best for you. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide which cuticle nippers to choose.

Which Jaw Size is Right?

There really is no right answer to this because nipper size is a personal preference. When you choose nippers with a jaw that is smaller, it usually means that you have more control. When you choose a jaw size that is larger you can remove more of the cuticle however you lose some control when it comes to precision on the removal.

In case you are unfamiliar with different nipper blade lengths or were trained in the US, here is a general guide of mm to naming them by jaw size:

3mm is a quarter jaw, 5mm is a half jaw and 7mm is a full jaw. We have cuticle nippers that range from 3mm all the way up to 11mm how ever our most common and popular still fall in the quarter jaw to full jaw size. We also have some models that are off set in between these traditional sizes such as 4mm or 6mm nippers. Many nail techs find these in between sizes to be a better fit for them.

Is the handle size right for me?

Arguably handle size and shape are just important for nail techs choosing a nipper. These are tools you will hold in your hand for a major part of the work you perform and choosing the wrong handle on any nail tool can cause pain because you have to consistently hold the nipper in an awkward angle.

Choose your nippers’ handle based on your preference and hand size. If your hands are on the larger side you will probably find the larger handle will be more comfortable. Obviously with this logic for smaller hands, a smaller handle will most likely feel best. This said everything is about preference and always choose which size feels best for you.

Single spring or dual spring?

The kind of spring you select will depend on your preference for bounce back. The bounce back is less with the single spring and it will bounce away from the handle. There is a greater amount of bounce back with the double spring, and it comes with two springs that bounce off one another.

Is Quality or Price More Important?

This is the classic question when it comes to any product. Having a high-quality nipper that will last is going to save you money as years go by. Some cuticle nippers can last as long as 3 years with consistent use because the blades ca be sharpened over and over. You can get a nipper sharpener or higher a professional services that you can hire to sharpen them for you. The springs are also replaceable. 

All of STALEKS PRO nail tools are designed to be sharpened. If you are a tech getting daily used out of your tools you will need to be sharpening them around every 6 to 9 months depending on which line you choose from STALEKS.

One thing often over looked by many people is the inclination of the blade

The inclination on the blade is probably the most over looked component when choosing nippers but this is idea is one of the most important part of a cuticle nipper. The blade inclination specifically refers to the angle at which the blade is positioned. Think back to a geometry class that you took and imagine that 0 to 90 degree chart and the blade length falls somewhere between there.

Every nipper from the STALEKS line has a different blade inclination. The importance of  the inclination of the blade changes what angle you have to hold the nipper while cutting the cuticle. A good way to visualize this is to grab a nipper you already own and select what you feel would be the most comfortable angle for you to hold it while removing cuticle. Then find an associated inclination for the nipper.

Is your nipper for personal or professional use?

Finally, you have to think about whether you are buying these nippers for personal or professional use. If you are going to use them in a nail salon, then you want to choose professional nippers. They will last longer with your expected daily use of your same tools.

The classic nippers are a great option however when you are looking for professional cuticle nippers we recommend the Smart or Expert line from STALEKS

Make sure to ask yourself these questions to help you with choosing the right cuticle nipper. Look through our stock of cuticle nippers and we are sure that you will find one that is right for you. And feel free to contact us with any questions that you have.

If you are wondering What is a Russian manicure? head over to that blog post to get an understanding.