A nail clipping system comprises two opposed surfaces (relatively flat, curved or ergonomically or functionally non-planar) hinged at one end. The hinge may be a living hinge made from the same or similar structural material as the opposed surfaces, or may be a spring-loaded hinge connecting the two opposed surfaces. Associated with an upper one of the opposed surfaces is at least one (relatively) downward exterior plate, and associated with a lower one of the opposed surfaces is at least one (relatively) upward interior plate directly opposed to a downward exterior plate. The at least one downward exterior plate has a slot therein accessible to finger nails. The slot may be linear or curved (to accommodate the curve of nails). The at least one upward interior plate has a blade element that slides along an interior surface of the downward exterior plate and across the slot therein.