i have some cat trimmers like scissors. they are sort of curved. i only trim the pointed ends of their claws though. i don't like to trim too far up their claw. the other evening i used my small nail trimmer and it worked fine. two of my three cats let me trim and they stay very still for me.
i lay them on my lap up to my chest in my recliner.
sometimes i hold them in my lap with their back facing my chest.that way they can't pull away.
i don't always get all the nails each time. i only do what they let me do.