How a Nail Clipper Works

Dec 29, 2009 | By Frank Whittemore

Introduction

A nail clipper is a useful hand held tool for personal grooming. It allows you to keep your nails trimmed. While nail clippers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the principle form and function is basically the same. Two steel cutting edges are brought together by a lever to trim the nail, neatly, cleanly and safely.

The Clipper Body

A basic nail clipper consists of two thin strips of spring steel that are welded together on one end. This forms the body of the clipper. These strips bend out slightly from each other, forming a shallow "V" shape. The other ends of the strips are bent inward and sharpened to form two opposing blades. These blades are usually also curved inward in the center to align with the curved shape of a finger or toe nail.

The Pin

There are two holes punched in the strips a short distance back from the blade edges. A short steel pin with a flat head on one end and a hook on the other end is inserted through the holes. The flat head of the pin prevents it from passing through the holes.

The Lever

The clipper has another strip of steel, with a 45-degree bend on one end and a hole punched in the tip of the strip near the bend. This strip acts as the lever that operates the clipper. The hole in the lever is inserted under the hook in the steel pin. The spring action of the two steel strips that form the body of the clipper holds the lever in place. The pin rotates to allow the lever to be turned to face in or out from the clipper body.

Operation

When the lever is turned along the length of the clipper body, with the 45-degree angle facing out, it extends out from the clipper. When depressed against the body of the clipper, it compresses the cutting edges together to trim a nail placed between them.

Storage

The lever can then be flipped over in the opposite direction and rotated to lie against the body of the clipper for storage purposes.This position also prevents the blades of the clipper from accidentally closing.