7 Nail Clipping Mistakes Men Make

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For some men, grooming is more of an afterthought and oftentimes, they have dirt under their fingernails and they don’t really pay much attention to it, however, as a gentleman, having well-groomed hands and toenails are definitely a must-have.

Using A Blunt Clipper

Do you use a clipper and you struggle to cut through your nails? If so, it’s time to replace it. Old or blunt clippers are not just hard and frustrating to use especially in thicker nails like your toenails, but it can also damage your nails because they can cause a tear.

old clipper
old clipper

Of course, you can just replace your existing nail clipper with one of the same quality, however, you want something that lasts you for a longer time, invest in high-quality stainless steel clippers with a nice sharp edge because it should stay sharp for much longer.

Don't cut your nails straight across
There are people using nail scissor than a nail clipper

Cutting Your Nails Straight Across

Yes, it’s easier to do it that way, it takes less time, it takes less attention, but it’s not very flattering to your hands. Also, it creates unnaturally sharp corners. I can see why you want to cut them just more or less straight because most scissors are straight, and even nail scissors that are slightly angled sometimes are still not angled enough to get a shape that actually works with the natural shape of your fingernails. So rather than cutting in one motion, I suggest you clip along the right parts of your nail so you get a nice shape that is very similar to a natural line of your fingernails. In order to get it really smooth and perfectly aligned, you want to finish with a file.

Traditional Nail Scissors
Nail clippers are superior to a nail scissor as it gives a much better result

Using Traditional Nail Scissors

Most of the time, they’re dull and they just squish your nail rather than really cut it. I can see why people use it in the first place, it sounds like a good idea especially if it’s sharp but even if you find a very sharp pair of nail scissors, I find the clipper is always superior. Personally, I’m right-handed and so cutting my fingernails with scissors with a left hand usually yielded not so perfect results.

On top of that, you can’t travel with it and so if you have it in your carry-on, TSA will confiscate it at the airport. Not so with nail clippers, you can bring them, they’re safe and it’s just a better alternative. If you find a nail clipper with a cuticle clipper as well as a file, you’re well-equipped to all your nail grooming needs, you can even use the clipper to get into corners which is very awkward with regular scissors.

Nail file
Using a nail file gives your nail a good finish.

Relying Exclusively On Nail Files

The file is very valuable and it should be part of the last step in your nail grooming routine, however, you should always cut it down first with a nail clipper and then just finish with a file. It will also yield better results and your file will be usable for much longer.

Not Using A Nail File At All

I know it’s an extra step and once you’ve clipped your nails, you may think “oh I’m done all is good”. The problem is it leaves much sharper edges that are not nice and smooth. So if you have silk ties or any other kind of fabric you touch, you’re much more likely to tear or pull something out from that fabric which ruins the garment or that accessory.

If you’re not a fan of filing or if you’re in a hurry, at least file off the rough edges because you don’t want to hurt anyone or destroy your clothes. When I’m at home, I use a buffing block which is very helpful with different sand grades so you can always get a perfect result.

Keep your hands clean and free from grime
Keep your hands clean and free from grime

Focusing Solely On The Fingernails

It’s good to take care of your nails, however, they’re just one part of your hand. If you have a lot of dirt under your cuticles or they’re dry and cracked, it’s just not a very well-groomed overall look and first impression. Also, if you have hands that are very dirty or if you have skin issues, it just doesn’t look very gentlemanly. Don’t ignore your cuticles and your hangnails, a cuticle clipper is a perfect way to take care of that.

Intense Therapy Hand Cream
Intense Therapy Hand Cream [Image Credit: Spruce]

Just like nail edges that are not smooth, it’s very easy to rip out a thread of an accessory or a garment with hangnails or even cuticles sometimes. No, don’t use your teeth to bite it off because you can’t get close enough, it will just hurt and oftentimes make it worse. So use the cuticle clipper, use nice hand cream. Personally, I like the one from Jack Black, they’re not paying me for this. I’ve just been using it for a while, it seems to be quite rich and greasy at first, but it soaks in very quickly, it’s just a good lotion overall.

Clean your nail tools
It’s recommended to clean and sanitize your nail tools every after use.

Not Cleaning Your Nail Tools

Sometimes, stainless steel if it’s not of the highest quality, will still rust if it’s in a moist environment and you should never cut your nails or your cuticles with something that’s rusty because it can lead to an infection if you cut yourself. Also, if you’re sharing tools with your family or your partner, it makes sense to clean them every once in a while with some alcohol to get rid of any kind of germs or viruses. If you invest in a quality set and you keep it clean, you can use it for your hands as well as for your toes and you won’t run into any problems.

How Can You Avoid These Nail Care Mistakes?

Obviously, start investing in a quality nail kit that consists of at least a nail clipper, a cuticle clipper, as well as a nail file. Additionally, you can also get a buffing block and I also suggest to get some hand lotion.

Men's Manicure Set leather pouch in high quality leather in red & black with contrast stitching - Fort Belvedere
Men’s Manicure Set leather pouch in high quality leather in red & black with contrast stitching – Fort Belvedere

The set that we offer in our shop is very travel-friendly, comes in a nice leather pouch either in brown and blue or in red and black. The leather is made in Germany and the stainless steel is German made as well. The nail clipper is unusual in the sense that it’s very flat so it’s travel-friendly but the lever gives you enough power to cut even through the thickest and big toenails. The tools come from Solingen in Germany which is a town renowned for their cutlery and stainless steel products.

Are you sure how to take care of your nails? I suggest you check out this video where I show you how to do a nice manicure at home in under 10 minutes without a lot of tools, so check it out here!

Outfit Rundown

I’m wearing a casual blue polo shirt short sleeved paired with white and blue seersucker pants and kind of salmon red boat shoes.

Sven Raphael in a casual outfit consisting of a polo shirt, seersucker pants and boat shoes
Sven Raphael in a casual outfit consisting of a polo shirt, seersucker pants, and boat shoes

What are some nail clipping issues you encounter? Feel free to share your nail care tips below!

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Reader Comments

  1. Greetings,

    Might the eighth mistake be not finding a great manicurist, and visiting the shop twice a month?

    Fifteen years ago, I went into a salon for nail-work, and the owner assigned me to her newest technician.

    Except when I am away from home, a professional manicure from one who knows a man’s hands like his barber knows his head is both relaxing and always results in enjoying presentable paws at a very reasonable price.

    Best regards,

    Andrew Gregg,
    Palm Springs, CA

  2. I’ve been doing my own manicures since I was a young adult. A girlfriend taught me how do them. Over the years, if I see a manicure set that I like, I’ll buy it and put it in my various suitcases. So, when I’m flying somewhere and didn’t have time to do a self manicure, I’ll do my nails/toes in my room. I have a set at work, in my toiletry bag, and next to my recliner. I’m not obsessed with my nails, I just hate for them to need some work if I have to give a talk, shake hands, or sit across the table from a lady. I like the L’Occitane brand of hand creams, and I keep small tubes of them in the same places as the manicure sets. I don’t have nice hands, but what I have, I want to be presentable at all times. Great article! Great blog! BTW, bring back the green/gray cashmere scarf. I wanted yours and waited too long.

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