I wear my fingernails down playing the banjo. I tried using a clear fingernail polish, and it might help a little. But I heard that fingernail polish, and fiberglass nail covering can weaken the underlying nail by depriving it of air. My sister told me about nail strengthening products that are applied topically but I don't know if they actually work. Do any of you have any suggestions of how to make fingernails tougher so they don't wear down from playing?
They used to say eat raw jelly (jelloid?) cubes, because of the concentrated gellotine in them. Good for nails but probably bad for the teeth.
Kenny Hall played the mandolin with his thick, horny nails - and swore that the quart of buttermilk he drank every day kept them tough.
I've used a regular metal finger pick upside down (metal guarding finger nail. Downside: strings sound different, takes some practice since striking surface is not exactly in same place as fingernail.
I rotate striking with forefinger and middle finger to increase playtime.
Let striking nails grow longer than usual, more mass to wear off.
Ask a fingernail salon what they recommend.
Hope this helps.
youtu.be/7BqISqpMRo8?is=xSv0MndvVgQNQK9c
James Taylor on his nail maintenance.
We always used to harden conkers by soaking in vinegar and baking in a low oven.
I’m always amazed when this subject comes up by the random snake oil/magic cures.
Logic: eat gelatin = strong nails. Eat brains = higher intelligence.
The gelatin myth was a marketing scam invented by Knox.
You would have better results by soaking in magic silver water.
Well, I've heard/read that judokas toughen their hands by plunging them into pails of sand .... and maybe even progressing to stuff that offers more resistance. More logic .... if it works for hands, it'll work for nails. Though I can't personally endorse it, plunging hands into a pail of gravel [I assume with fingers extended] should be a good (?) way to toughen the nails. 
[I'll be okay .... this too shall pass.]
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