Eat more eggs, fish, and spinach.

The problem will fix itself, no pick needed.

I use this pick when I play at a dance and I don't want to wear my nail down from too much hard picking, or when my nail gets thin from too much playing in general. I don't have brittle nails or nails that are too soft, but they can wear from overuse.

How I use these is to sand down the 'ears' on the sides of it because I don't like the way they feel when I'm playing. I also sand down the inside corner where the pick can ride on your cuticle, because that's very uncomfortable when that happens. I don't use it very often, but it's nice to have when I'd like to use it. It produces a nice tone and I'm not aware of it when I'm playing. When I'm not using it I keep it on one of the j-hooks on my banjo. It stays there. It pops on the hook easily and has never popped off when I don't want it to when I'm handling the banjo.

They also make this style in delrin which is a softer material than polycarbonate and probably produces a slightly softer tone.

https://www.elderly.com/products/fred-kelly-freedom-finger-pick-679?variant=26854342393920

Edit:  kc has something with his diet suggestions. You can google to find out more.

+1 on the Kelly Freedom Picks (the white ones). You might also look at Cling Pro and the Atomic Pick (from Banjo Ben). The fit of the Freedom picks can be hit or miss. I find them too tight so I file or sand the top of the pick (where your fingernail would be) from the tip to the cuticle. Thinning the pick this way makes it more flexible and not so tight on my finger. Boiling the pick and using something to keep it open while it cools works too but not as well as thinning the pick.

For a pick solution, the best option is probably Hooks' Banjo Thimble.

banjothimble.com/shop/thimbles.html

Made in the USA by Joel Hooks.

I used a biotin supplement for a while and it worked. I don't anymore, and the problem isn't there. Maybe it was a difficiency for a while. I don't know. You can find picks made in the style of Kyle Creed's picks. I think the company is called Clawjam.

I have found that taking a biotin supplement has helped my nails immensely. They grow fast and are stronger. The eggs, fish and spinach recommended by @KCJones couldn't hurt either.

You have received several good answers about different types of picks for claw hammer playing as well as suggestions about how to harden nails. In response to your original question, I have been in jam sessions with several frailers who played with a regular finger pick reversed on their finger. If it works for you, do it.

A little change of diet as noted above will help in time. Also, eating jello.

Many of the greats used a pick. Kyle Creed for one.

Since I got to meet a few of the old timers way back, when I was a teenager, I use one also.

I take a Dunlop finger pick and turn it backwards. Works perfect. Lick your finger first so it stays on.

The other solutions and options above are also all good.

Back in the day, we used to swear by eating raw jelly cubes to strengthen fingernails. I think it’s called Jello in the US, but the gelatine was what did the trick. However, I’m not sure how good it was for your teeth.

Fiannakid I have found that by reversing a finger pick on my strumming hand I can play in the clawhammer style. Does anyone else do this? Also, is there some kind of specialized pick for this?

Depending on what sound you are after, reversing a metal pick of the Dunlop or National variety is just fine.
Plastic cannot be tightened at the banjo.
Many people reverse a standard pick for both up and down stroking.  Fred Starner was the first on I saw and heard do this. 

I have some clawjams, they are superbly thought out and more of a jeweler's offering.

I do fariling and or claw with this kind of wear

I used a reversed finger pick when I played Seeger style. I have problems with the middle fingernail, which tends to split, so I trained the index finger. It works quite nicely. I did experiment with an Alaska pick (plastic), and it was okay. I got it to fit snugly on the finger by running it under hot water and then bending it.

quote:

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Originally posted by Paul R

I used a reversed finger pick when I played Seeger style. I have problems with the middle fingernail, which tends to split, so I trained the index finger. It works quite nicely. I did experiment with an Alaska pick (plastic), and it was okay. I got it to fit snugly on the finger by running it under hot water and then bending it.

Yes ... I usually use my middle finger, but I've learned to use my index finger on the top two strings ... seems more comfortable that way ... it 'shares the wear' ... so to speak. Never got used to a reversed finger pick ... for me it looses that natural feel and also plays too loud.

Yes, i started using a modified (shortened and thinned) and reversed finger pick. I used glue dots or stick on nail adhesive to help hold it in place. I get the same tone as my middle finger… but I primarily play index. Without the pick, my index sounds thin unless I use a false nail, which I got tired of.

Here are a couple of patterns to use to make your own out of sheet brass. The first is from Frank Converse from 1865. The next is from Pete Seeger's book.

Use tin snips or a jeweler's saw to cut it out, sand the edges with 2000 grit sand paper, then bend to shape.

I will add one more vote for ClingPro picks (mentioned earlier). I've tried several others and I like clingPro best. Get their frailing pick, not their guitar picks - which are also good but maybe not for banjos.

If you just want to strengthen your nails, the following are recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil: Omega3 oil (fish oil or camelina oil), black currant oil, evening primrose oil. I've used the camelina oil successfully, taking about a tablespoon a day when I was starting out and practiced a couple hours/day. I've not used the other 2 oils. Takes about a month to see a difference: stronger and thicker fingernails. I thought I could tell a difference in a couple days. though. The fish oil acts as an anti-coagulant (blood thinner), according to the book. So, if you are already taking anti-coagulants for heart condition, might want to check with your doctor before self-dosing.

above data from his book: Natural health, natural medicine by Andrew Weil MD, pg 254, 2004 edition. Weil also has a website with useful information.
drweil.com/

You can find a product called 'strong nails' at some drugstores.

Alternate, paint nails with clear nail polish. Or fancy if you want to get fancy, will give you some extra support.

I teach HS english and it is a supportive statement to weird students when their teacher does weird stuff like having his right fingernails painted bright turquoise!

While some folks claim they've gotten great results from eating gelatin or Jello, the health professionals say it does nothing to strengthen or grow nails. People used to think gelatin was made from horse hoofs. It is not. I'm not sure how the idea that eating or soaking nails in gelatin would strengthen them became such a common thing, but the scientific community says otherwise.

Biotin, on the other hand, is known to make nails grow faster. I've never had it actually strengthen my nails, but they definitely grow faster. I don't take Biotin anymore because I get my thyroid levels tested frequently and it interferes with that somehow. I'm also not a big fan of mega-dosing on vitamins. Our bodies only require about 30mcg of it. Supplements often contain 5000mcg.

quote:

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Originally posted by Stephen Rapp

While some folks claim they've gotten great results from eating gelatin or Jello, the health professionals say it does nothing to strengthen or grow nails. People used to think gelatin was made from horse hoofs. It is not. I'm not sure how the idea that eating or soaking nails in gelatin would strengthen them became such a common thing, but the scientific community says otherwise.

Biotin, on the other hand, is known to make nails grow faster. I've never had it actually strengthen my nails, but they definitely grow faster. I don't take Biotin anymore because I get my thyroid levels tested frequently and it interferes with that somehow. I'm also not a big fan of mega-dosing on vitamins. Our bodies only require about 30mcg of it. Supplements often contain 5000mcg.

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Knox gelatin marketing department, that is where the idea came from.  Knox ran a very snakeoil type ad campaign, targeted towards women, that made these dubious claims.

I guess it worked because people still believe and regurgitate it.  But people believe (and buy) all kinds of magic cures (even when the labels say the product does nothing).  Drugstores are jammed full of them.

Thanks Joel.

Any interest in nylon strings Jim? They're a lot easier on the nails if you're practicing a lot, and if you've got two banjos you can go back to the twangy one any time you feel up to it.

When I first started my nails were getting eaten up, but playing on nylon part-time (and learning better dynamic control), the problem has completely disappeared.

I found the picks also acceptable, they take some getting used to and they sound different, but they're a pretty good solution too. I still keep a couple around just in case.

Jim...I don't know what your day job is...so maybe this wouldn't work for you...but about 5 years ago...my nails got so wore down that I could not play without being in pain....and I had tried many different types of picks...and I did not like the tone I got with any of them...so I broke down and went to a nail salon and had falsies put on the index and middle...only cost me $10.00 US...one of the best decisions I have made in my life...they last about 2-3 months before I have to get them redone...and they also function well as picks for up-picking...they really liberated my right hand...I can even do "whamming"...which is what I think Pete Seeger called it...very useful for playing jigs in 6/8...I strongly recommend this course of action

I took a supplement called Biotin for a while and it seemed to really help. Now, actually, I don't have the problem anymore.