I have struck more manniquins over the course of the years than I even care to count (or is possible to count!). Having done the dang thang so many times, I have become very particular about the tools I find most effective. "The Right Nippers" are one of the tools I find indispensable. My favorite nippers have a head, or mouth, with flat edges VS. being completely rounded.
Having a flat edge gives you better control as you pound the nail to finish the strike. There is more surface-area between the flat nail-head and flat side of the nipper than the rounded variety, which, as they get older and worn become more and more slippery. This little detail can help avoid a lot of bent nails and snapped wires. Never ever fun.
A second detail is that I prefer the nippers to have a flat side oriented to the "teeth" side of the nipper. This allows you to get as close to the wire as possible and exert as much force straight into the nail as possible, again helping to avoid bending it, nor bumping into the wire. This flat side also lets you clip your wire ends very closely. It's the little things......
A second detail is that I prefer the nippers to have a flat side oriented to the "teeth" side of the nipper. This allows you to get as close to the wire as possible and exert as much force straight into the nail as possible, again helping to avoid bending it, nor bumping into the wire. This flat side also lets you clip your wire ends very closely. It's the little things......