Blade size (length) determines how much nail you can cut in a single action. Shorter blades (12mm) offer more precision and are better suited to thin, soft, or smaller nails where you want control over exactly how much you are removing. Medium blades (14mm) are the most versatile — suitable for both thin and medium nail plates across a range of nail sizes, and comfortable for manicure and pedicure use. Longer blades (16mm) provide more cutting power for medium and hard nails where a single firm cut is preferable to multiple smaller actions. For home use, a 14mm blade is a practical starting point. For professional podiatry or thick toenail work, a 16mm or longer blade is recommended.

For the STALEKS Smart and Expert series: rinse under running water, clean with an enzymatic instrument cleaner or disinfectant, then sterilise in an autoclave (up to 134°C) or dry-heat oven. Always dry thoroughly before storage. For the STALEKS Classic NC-63-14: this model is made from standard stainless steel with a GOI paste finish and is NOT recommended for autoclave or dry-heat oven sterilisation. Use a chemical disinfectant solution for the Classic series. After disinfection or sterilisation, store in a clean, dry pouch or case.

Nail nippers and cuticle nippers look similar but are built for different jobs. Nail nippers have a heavier, more robust jaw designed to cut through the free edge of the nail plate — including thicker toenails. The blade angle and cutting geometry is optimised for trimming nail length. Cuticle nippers have a finer, more delicate jaw designed for precision removal of dead cuticle and hangnails — they are not built for the mechanical load of trimming nail thickness. Using cuticle nippers to trim nails can damage the jaw alignment and blunt the cutting edge prematurely. STALEKS labels and designs their instruments clearly for each use.

Most STALEKS nail nippers feature a double spring mechanism. A double spring is more durable than a single spring — it provides a consistent, controlled opening force that returns the handles to the open position smoothly after each cut. This reduces hand fatigue during repeated use, particularly during a full pedicure where the nippers may be opened and closed dozens of times. The double spring in the STALEKS Smart and Expert series is engineered to maintain its tension over an extended service life without deforming or losing its return force.