QuestionI have been a nail tech since 2001 and do apx 50 sets of nails in a month, I am very picky about products including my nail files because to my experience the products you use greatly influence your end results. (ie durability, look, etc) I have seen alot of info on glass files that seems good and all has said that they can be used on natural and artificial nails....My question is can a glass file be used for the etching of the nail during prep for full set or rebalance... and will it be effective enough to not extend the amount of time that the prep work takes. Also what does a glass file compare to in grit? (I understand that no grit is actually attached to a glass or crystal file)
AnswerThe best I can really tell you on this one is to get a glass file or two and give it a try. None of the glass files I've come across would work for me, but that doesn't mean that they won't work for you, since as I'm sure you know, everyone favors different tools and different techniques.
The biggest drawback to using a glass file to etch the nail plate is that the glass files aren't etched (there's no grit) along the edges, and since glass doesn't flex like wood/foam/plastic cored files, it's difficult to get the grit against the nail. This might be particular to my technique though.
All the glass files I've come across have seemed to be a very soft grit compared to other files I've used.
I definitely think it's worth a try, but I'd get one file and try it before investing in several files.
