A high-quality cuticle nipper is an indispensable tool for a well-groomed manicure – whether for personal or professional use. However, not all nippers are created equal: differences in material, grind, spring mechanism, and sharpness determine how cleanly and safely you can remove excess cuticle. In this article, you'll learn which cuticle nippers truly deliver and what you should absolutely consider when buying them.

How do I use cuticle forceps correctly?

Hold cuticle nippers and cuticle scissors correctly and cut with them

1. Correct hand position

• The thumb and forefinger rest on the legs of the pliers, similar to tweezers.
• The middle finger provides support from below or rests lightly between the handles for added stability.
• The cutting tip points forward/upwards , so you can clearly see the skin to be cut.
• Hold the pliers only lightly – avoid a cramped hand position.

2. Cutting correctly

1. Stretch the skin: With your free hand, gently pull the skin around the nail taut.
2. Application: Hold the cutting tip flat against the loose, dry skin or cuticle.
3. Angle: Hold the pliers as parallel to the skin as possible to avoid cutting into living skin.
4. Cutting: Close the pliers slowly and remove only a small piece of skin.
5. Work in sections: Start again and again, instead of "tearing off" long pieces of skin.

3. Common Mistakes

• Cutting off too much intact skin.
• Applying too much pressure or starting too deep is not recommended.
• Hold the pliers like scissors and cut from the wrist.
• Pulling off bits of skin instead of removing them cleanly.

The best cuticle nippers – different models and manufacturers

Cuticle nippers are generally offered in two versions: pliers-style and scissors-style . The classic pliers-style nippers are particularly user-friendly, as the pressure is distributed evenly via the handles and the double spring. This prevents the force from acting directly and at a single point on the skin, allowing for more precise and safer work.

The scissor-style scissors, on the other hand, require significantly more practice and dexterity. Because the pressure is applied more directly to the blades, inexperienced users can easily remove too much skin or accidentally cause injuries.

Below we present various models – from high-quality medical instruments to handcrafted skin forceps from Solingen to affordable options for home use.

RUCK cuticle nippers in scissor shape with slanted cutting edge

The Ruck skin forceps in scissor shape made of polished, sterilizable stainless steel is a medical device and is used in professional podiatry.

RUCK skin pliers in pliers shape

The RUCK cuticle nippers, made of rust-free, nickel-free, sterilizable stainless steel, can be used for very precise cuticle removal with the help of its double spring.

Erbe cuticle nippers with extra short cutting edge

The ERBE cuticle nippers with the extra short cutting edge are well suited for working on the cuticles on the fingers.

Key point: Cuticle nippers are a precision tool – cut slowly, carefully and always in small pieces.