Cuticle scissors vs nail scissors: what's the difference?

Quick answer: Cuticle scissors have long, slim blades with fine points, usually curved, for trimming cuticles and hangnails close to the nail. Nail scissors have shorter, broader blades made to cut the nail itself. In the Scissors Town catalogue both are listed in 3.5" and 4" lengths, with curved or straight blades.

Cuticle scissors and nail scissors look alike in a shop display, and many retail customers use the two names for the same thing. For a buyer building a manicure range they are different tools: the blade shape decides what each one is good at. The Scissors Town catalogue lists them in separate groups, so this guide uses those catalogue pages to show the difference.

The short version

Cuticle scissors: fine blades and sharp points

Cuticle scissors are built for fine work around the nail. Their blades are long and slim, and the points are fine enough to get close to the nail without catching the skin around it. Curved blades follow the shape of the nail and are the usual choice for cuticles; straight blades are also offered.

The catalogue groups professional cuticle scissors into several patterns:

• Fine cuticle scissors: ST32-011 (3.5") and ST32-012 (4") curved, ST32-013 (3.5") and ST32-014 (4") straight.
• Arrow point: ST32-019 and ST32-020 curved, ST32-021 and ST32-022 straight. The arrow point is a very fine, tapered tip for detailed work.
• Arrow point with big rings: ST32-015 and ST32-016 curved, ST32-017 and ST32-018 straight, for users who want larger finger rings.
• Knife shape: ST32-023 and ST32-024 curved, ST32-025 and ST32-026 straight.
• Professional cuticle scissors: for example ST32-065/ST32-066 and ST32-069/ST32-070.

Left-handed cuticle scissors

Left-handed customers are often forgotten in nail care ranges. The catalogue lists professional cuticle scissors made for left-handed users: ST32-063 (3.5") and ST32-064 (4"), and ST32-067 (3.5") and ST32-068 (4"). Adding one left-handed model next to your best-selling right-handed pattern is a simple way to serve these customers. For barber scissors, see our left-handed barber scissors guide.

Nail scissors: shorter, sturdier blades

Nail scissors are made to cut the nail plate rather than skin, so their blades are shorter and broader than cuticle blades. The catalogue lists, for example:

• ST32-103 (3.5") and ST32-104 (4") curved, ST32-105 (3.5") and ST32-106 (4") straight.
• ST32-107 (3.5") and ST32-108 (4") straight nail scissors.

Curved nail scissors make it easier to follow the round edge of a fingernail, while straight nail scissors give a straight cut. Toenails are thicker again and have their own scissors, covered in our toenail scissors guide.

Finishes for retail and gift ranges

Both types can be supplied in different finishes. Our cuticle and nail scissors page lists matt, bright, sand and half-gold finishes, and the catalogue also shows gold versions such as the arrow point cuticle scissors ST32-087/ST32-088 (double curved) and ST32-089/ST32-090 (straight, full gold). For more on finishes, read scissor finishes explained.

How to stock both

A practical starter range is one curved cuticle scissor with a fine or arrow point, one straight cuticle scissor, and one curved and one straight nail scissor, each in 3.5" or 4". Add a left-handed cuticle scissor and a gold or coloured model for retail. If you are choosing between blade shapes, our curved vs straight cuticle scissors guide goes into more detail, and both types fit well in a private label manicure kit.

Finishes, markings and packaging can be specified for private label orders. See the full range on our cuticle and nail scissors page and quote the ST reference numbers in your enquiry.