Diulin - Posted - 10/17/2025:  20:45:43

I've read some of the archived threads about fingernails, so I know this general topic has come up. But I wonder if anyone has used something called ISDIN SI-NAILS. It gets some good reviews, but at $40/bottle, I thought I'd ask here.

goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/na...ngtheners

Any other suggestions or thoughts would also be welcome. I use Sally Hansen Hard as Nails, which does make them a little less likely to break, but it wears of very quickly, especially with steel strings. I keep one primary nail (middle), a first backup (ring), and a second backup (index)

Bill Rogers - Posted - 10/17/2025:  21:48:50

I’m a bad one for advice here because I have no hardness or breakage issues with my nails. I don’t know that any commercial product can really harden nails. I think trying to play with what you have is the way to go. It just means you have your own right hand sound.

reubenstump - Posted - 10/18/2025:  02:30:12

I have no experience with either, but Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails that you currently use and DiamondStrength polish seem to be popular.  Maybe try DiamondStrength.

Edited by - reubenstump on 10/18/2025 02:31:34

DerekGoodman - Posted - 10/18/2025:  03:57:12

Go to a nail bar and get an acrylic nail.
Its great because a) it fixes all your issues and b) it causes sad old busybodies to rage

DocKlink - Posted - 10/18/2025:  11:59:21

I picked this up off of Tom Collins Patreon site. A piece of Scotch Wall-safe tape over the nail. It can be a bit of a trick cutting it to size/shape but it is smooth and durable. It sounded gimmicky but has worked well. Make sure It's the Wall-Safe tape. Using a small, sharp pair of scissors helps too for shaping.

Lew H - Posted - 10/19/2025:  18:07:08

Coating your nails, or the areas that wear, with nail glue can help. I think these are basically super glues and are tougher than nail coats. I coat the tip and a stripe down the middle of the nail where I strike the strings sometime. I've used IBD brand which contains some kind of thickener. It will last for a few hours of picking. My local store quit carrying it, so I'm trying other bands now.

ptoomey - Posted - 10/23/2025:  09:43:05

quote:

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Originally posted by DerekGoodman

Go to a nail bar and get an acrylic nail.

Its great because a) it fixes all your issues and b) it causes sad old busybodies to rage

---

Agree completely. £5 for a single nail which lasts about 6-8 weeks. The loudness and tone is wonderful and the craic from all the ladies is great. Grateful shout-out to 'Julie's Nails', The Street, Ashtead, Surrey.

Bart Veerman - Posted - 10/30/2025:  07:27:04

1) Ease up on the force you attack the strings with and aim your finger[s] to hit the string[s] with the edge of your nail[s].

2) If that's too hard to do then try using another "hit" finger - that may make it easier and will have a different tone that you might prefer.

Both are always a good approach to prevent being stuck with a finger injure someday and happen to have a gig coming up...

Joel Hooks - Posted - 10/30/2025:  10:23:14