This design detail traces back to grooming tools from the late nineteenth century, when personal care items were built to last and meant to be maintained rather than replaced. The fact that this feature has survived every design trend since then says a great deal. It works. It requires no explanation. It adds function without adding bulk or cost.
In a world filled with over engineered products, the little hole in nail clippers stands as proof that thoughtful simplicity endures. It shows how a nearly invisible decision can improve daily routines in subtle but meaningful ways. Most people never stop to think about it, yet they rely on it all the same. That is the mark of good design.