Sorry. Apologizing in advance… I broke my thumbnail while fixing my canoes (j190 and Outrage) and it won’t grow out: it keeps splitting and getting caught on things. I use so much
don’t touch the stuff. You can get sensitized with severe allergic reactions.
A dab of Super glue in the crack every day will bind it together until you grow it past the bottom of the split.
tiny bit of g-flex only on the nail will probably work, it’s true the B-part of G-flex can cause severe allergic reactions. I. have used super glue, also my wife gave me a can of “Hard of Hooves” nail strengthener this winter, works fairly well, but it’s more an issue of dryness and changes in collagen production as you get older.
thanks guys! It’s funny, I trust the good sense of the people in this community more than recommendations of the internet or aquaintances… (maybe I need some superglue on my brain…)
The Krazy Glue is holding up pretty well, and the nail doesn’t hitch when I’m paddling now
Yes, super glue is the way to go. I use G-Flex Thickened on paddle edges and really like the stuff. I am also allergic to uncured epoxy. It is like a bad case of poison ivy. So, I dress to completely cover myself and double glove because once a small amount of glue gets on a glove it gets spread around. When done I pull off the outer gloves, so I don’t spread the stuff and am careful of the clothes until any epoxy has hardened.
They also sell something called nail wrap that you can use with the superglue to build up fiberglass layers.
Cut it short, super glue and wear gloves or wrap it.
Avoid snagging it. That will grow out fast.
Believe it or not, eating gelatin in the form of jello or liquid form in a glass of water will make your nails much stronger.
I used to have a logging business and worked as a commercial electrician for a few years. My hands got beat up all the time.
Update: some things I learned
Krazy glue with brush applicator (gorilla) works great, but if you don’t apply it thick enough or often enough, you forget the break is there. I snagged it and tore it into a V now.
So now I check it everyday and reapply if I feel the crack: and I wear gloves now for every job. Getting closer to growing out now, thumbs crossed…
Sounds like you nailed it! 
