NAILS

Set to 27 different clues across 29 published puzzles, most often “Tough as ___” — The New York Times, Monday, 19 July 2010.

5 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Tough as ___2 times
The New York Times — Monday, 19 July 2010
Symbols of hardness2 times
The New York Times — Monday, 29 December 2003
Does perfectlyonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 13 September 2009
Manicurists' concernsonce
The New York Times — Monday, 24 December 2007
They may be done in a salononce
The New York Times — Saturday, 24 November 2007
Acesonce
The New York Times — Saturday, 28 July 2007
Accomplishes perfectly, as a dismountonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 13 May 2007
Polish receiversonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 8 May 2007
Performs perfectlyonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 29 April 2007
Some have big headsonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 21 November 2006
Manicurist's expertiseonce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 15 November 2006
Manicurists' targetsonce
The New York Times — Monday, 25 April 2005