NGHIA Cuticle Nipper Guide: Jaw 12 vs 14 vs 16, and D-01, D-03, D-06, D-07 Compared
By Edmond Lin, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply. Last updated 6 October 2026.
A NGHIA code such as D01-14 has two parts. D-01 is the model, which sets the spring and the handle. 14 is the jaw size, which is the length of the cutting blade. Jaw 12 is a quarter jaw, jaw 14 is a half jaw and jaw 16 is a full jaw. The charts below use the specifications published by Nghia Nippers USA.
Quick picks
Jaw 12 vs 14 vs 16: what is the difference?
The jaw number is the length of the blade. A longer blade cuts deeper in one pass and needs more control. NGHIA makes the D-01, D-03, D-06 and D-07 in all three sizes, so you choose the jaw first and the model second.
| Jaw | Also called | Blade length | What it is for | Nghia recommends it for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Quarter jaw | 4.5 to 5.5 mm | Light, shallow cuticle trimming | Beginners, acrylic technicians and home users |
| 14 | Half jaw | 5.5 to 6.5 mm | A deeper cut that covers basic manicure work | Acrylic and manicure/pedicure technicians, and home users |
| 16 | Full jaw | 6.5 to 7.5 mm | The deepest cut, for thick cuticle, thick nails and ingrown nail work | Professional use only |
Blade lengths are the ranges given by Nghia Nippers USA. Some distributors list 4, 5.5 and 6.5 mm for the same three sizes, so treat the number as a size class and not an exact measurement.
D-01 vs D-03 vs D-06 vs D-07
All four are stainless steel cuticle nippers with a matte finish and a lap joint, and all four measure 106 x 48 mm and weigh 58 g. They differ in two things: the spring and the handle.
| Model | Spring | Handle | Nghia recommends it for |
|---|---|---|---|
 D-01 |
Single spring | Semi-curved, medium length | Students and anyone who wants light support, with more freedom to control the pressure |
 D-03 |
Double spring | Curved, medium length | Manicure and pedicure technicians who want maximum support so the hand tires less |
 D-06 |
Not listed (minimal support) | Straight, short | Technicians with smaller hands who do manicures and pedicures and prefer minimal support |
 D-07 |
Double spring | Straight, short | Technicians with smaller hands who mostly do acrylic services and want maximum support |
Stainless steel or hard steel?
The D-01 to D-07 are stainless steel, which Nghia states can be sterilized without rusting. The D-501, D-555 and M-501 are hard steel (carbon steel). They cost less and are lighter, but carbon steel can rust if it is left wet, so dry it straight after disinfecting and keep a drop of oil on the joint. All three come in one size only, a full jaw 16 (6.5 to 8 mm).
| Model | Type | Finish and spring | Nghia recommends it for |
|---|---|---|---|
 D-501 |
Cuticle nipper | Gold plated, double spring | High-volume manicure and pedicure technicians who replace nippers often |
 D-555 |
Cuticle nipper | Matte gold plated, single spring | The same technicians, when a dressier tool is wanted |
 M-501 |
Nail nipper | Gold plated, double spring, thick long blades | Cutting fingernails and thick toenails, not cuticle |
Two EXPORT line nippers
CL-205 is a stainless steel cuticle nipper with a 6 mm half jaw, double springs and a lap joint with smoothed edges; Nghia recommends it for technicians with smaller hands. NL-202 is a toenail nipper with a 17 mm full jaw, extra-thick blades and a long contoured handle, made for thick, damaged and ingrown toenails and recommended for professional use only.
NGHIA nipper questions
Which NGHIA nipper is best for beginners?
A jaw 12. Nghia recommends the quarter jaw for beginners and home users because the short blade takes off less cuticle per cut. For the model, Nghia points students to the D-01, whose single spring gives light support.
What is the difference between the D-03 and the D-07?
Only the handle. Both are stainless steel with a double spring and a lap joint. The D-03 has a curved, medium-length handle; the D-07 has a straight, short handle that Nghia recommends for smaller hands.
Is jaw 16 the same as a full jaw?
Yes. NGHIA uses both names: jaw 12 is a quarter jaw, jaw 14 is a half jaw and jaw 16 is a full jaw. On the hard steel D-501, D-555 and M-501 the full jaw is listed as 6.5 to 8 mm.
Can NGHIA nippers be sterilized?
Nghia states that its surgical-grade stainless steel nippers can be sterilized without rusting. The hard steel models are carbon steel, so dry them immediately after disinfecting and oil the joint.
What does Kềm Nghĩa mean?
It is the brand's Vietnamese name. Kềm means nippers, and Nghĩa is the name of the company, founded in Ho Chi Minh City in 1980. In Vietnamese the jaw size is called mũi, so a D-01 jaw 14 is a "D-01 mũi 14".
M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks 43 NGHIA tools in Markham, Ontario and ships across Canada.
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Jaw sizes, springs, handles, dimensions and recommended users: product listings of Nghia Nippers USA, read on 6 October 2026. Founding year: Nghia Nippers.
