Japan’s international reputation for sharp design elicits acclaim for its graphic art, architecture, and food, but the everyday goods we take for granted are subject to the same level of commitment and time-honed traditions of craftsmanship. For a perfect example, look to the humblest of household tools: the nail clipper. Though you may have never given this humdrum contraption a second thought, Suwada Clippers has devoted the better part of a century to making sure their handmade, stainless-steel products are exceptional nonetheless.
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![Suwada Clippers]()
Suwada Clippers
Suwada first went into business in 1926 as a wire cutter manufacturer that occasionally produced nail clippers on the side. Careful craftsmanship was a key priority, and the quality of these initial products was so superb that they remain in use today, almost one hundred years later. When the manicuring of mini-bonsais caught on in the mid-1960s, Suwada expanded their business to the manufacturing of pruning scissors. Throughout it all, they have continued to refine their original nail clipper design, and after a century of attention, these small but mighty cutters have become their most popular product.
![Suwada Clippers]()
Suwada Clippers
You may think that nail clippers are nail clippers, right? As long as they do what they’re intended to do, must we really concern ourselves with their more refined attributes? It’s an understandable opinion, but a good set of clippers offers a sort of luxury you can’t imagine until it’s experienced. Suwada clippers use blades curved to mimic the natural shape of a nail, so they’re easy to use on all sizes of hands and feet. Quality materials result in a cut so clean that nails never split or become tough. These little differences are why they’ve become a mainstay of both beauty and medical professionals, and boil the whole ordeal down to a simple question: what’s wrong with a little indulgence?
![Suwada Clippers]()
Suwada Clippers
As with any quality item facing low-priced competitors, Suwada initially had to convince consumers to accept their price point–a standard pair of Suwada clippers costs approximately 7,000 yen. But that’s the cost of the time, energy, and materials it takes to create a superior product, and once they’d seen them in action, the market finally came around. Another key justification is lifespan: Suwada says their clippers will continue performing at their best for a minimum of 10 years before their first sharpening, and with a little routine maintenance they’ll be the only pair of clippers you’ll ever need. To guarantee longevity, their patented spring is made in-house to ensure that it functions perfectly with the rest of the Suwada design in both look and appearance. Perhaps the reason you’ve never thought much about nail clippers is because you’ve never seen a pair whose satin finish, gorgeous curvature, and sumptuous leather cases result in a grooming tool that would look more at home on a pedestal than in a medicine cabinet.
![Suwada Clippers]()
Suwada Clippers
If you’ve got to see them for yourself, Suwada’s Niigata factory offers guided tours showcasing every step of the manufacturing process. In an homage to blacksmiths–the originators of metalwork–everything from the factory walls to staff uniforms are black, a nod to their roots that lends an already elegant product a truly sumptuous air. As if things couldn’t get any better, Suwada’s Open Factory has an in-house coffee bar, allowing you to sip a cup of joe while anticipating the best nail-cutting experience that you’ve ever–or never–imagined.
![Suwada Clippers]()
Suwada Clippers
- Suwa Da Factory
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- Niigata Sanjo-shi Koanji 1332
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- 0256456111
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- [Shop]10:00-18:00[Plant tour…
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