What's wrong with my cat's claws?

Last night I noticed once again my oldest kitty (7) needed a nail-clipping. For years I've simply used a human nail clipper on him.
No cat likes getting their nails clipped, but he was seriously reacting bad, and started to act like it was painful. I knew I wasn't doing it wrong, and he wasn't bleeding.
But I noticed something.
When I clip the tip of his claw, it seems no matter how I do it, the rest of the claw splits and cracks! I realized it must hurt because the cracks went down to the base of the nail, and some claws were so damaged that they seemed to be two whole differant peices!
I'm very gentle with him and I'm quite used to cutting his claws. The other kitties don't have this problem at all!
Why are his nails so brittle? What can I do? Even if he had a scratching post (besides the "car chair"), his nails are usuaslly still too sharp for our toleration.
He dosn't fight, so he didn't injure himself.


-Sarah of Borg

Sara,

Your clippers are dull and you are in need of another pair. Clipping the claws like that and splitting them will open this cat up to future infections and a large vet bill. It would be better if you bought a pair of clippers that are used just for cats, and start using those. In the meantime, throw your old clippers away, and watch your cat for signs of redness or swelling or infection, and if you do see it starting, call the vet immediately.

Yes, you need a sharper pair of clippers. Also, if you can get him to scratch on either some sisal rope, or tight carpet, it could help as well.