Here are the implements I use to take care of my nails. This subject is perhaps more significant for females than for males, since ladies are often expected to have manicured nails. As a musician, I find this is a big waste of time and money. However, it takes a bit of time every day to properly care for my nails. Now that I am finger picking, I do spend more time than I did back in the days when I was concentrating on flat picking. In the past, I played classical and that involved a good amount of nail-time too.
I mostly use the seven items I've pictured today. I don't always use all of them at once, but I find these are what work best. You'll notice there isn't a nail clipper -- I don't use them and will start off today telling you why. Since this is an involved topic, I'm spreading it out over a few posts.
First off, for the clippers... they may do a good quick job of keeping nails short, but they do nothing as far as strength goes. If you must, use them on your left hand -- but not your right (at least not if you are finger picking at all).
But what I use: a thick medium emery board, a nail buffing board, a computer tape head cleaner (that's chamois on the tip), a cuticle pusher/cutter, moisture cream, a heavy flat pick and a fine grade stone from Lake Ontario (you could buy a finishing stone, but ones from the lake are free...).
I'll end today with the first important concept of nails as it pertains to those clippers. Nails will look better and grow to be stronger if they are given daily stimulation in the form of light filing and buffing. This improves circulation, so the nails are better nourished. If you cut them, this makes them more brittle -- not only because of the stress on the nail, but because you aren't encouraging circulation. It also doesn't help you get a fine, smooth edge -- which means the nails are more likely to catch or snare. You also have better control of the nail shape with when you file and buff as opposed to clipping.
So, ditch the nail clippers and get some real supplies -- even if you're not a Girl With a Guitar!
