I then went back to my natural nails and worked on ways to minimize wear. The best suggestion I received was the regular use of nail files (as opposed to clippers). If you use files, moving from course, to fine, to polishing surfaces, you will eliminate the microscopic flaws in the nail edge that seem to "catch" and tear at the nail.
I try to keep my nails so they just barely clear the tip of the finger, which helps prevent me from breaking nails while working. If I let my nails grow out beyond this, I eventually break a nail which is disastrous if you perform for a living!
When playing in situations where more volume is needed, I will use .018 gauge metal dunlop finger picks worn "backwards" and shaped to the contours of my natural nails. The lighter gauge picks can be more easily shaped then the heavy gauge picks. The metal picks are obviously harder to play with than your natural nails but give you more volume and save your nails when in situations where you find yourself playing loud and hard.
For those of you who quickly wear out nails, analyze your right hand technique and make sure you are striking the strings squarely with your nail and not playing too hard.
The banjo can be more effective if you learn to play at all dynamic levels. By backing down the volume when not soloing, you will suddenly be able to hear the other instruments and vocalists you play with while saving wear on your nails. Not a bad thing...
Thanks... Mike