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Aside from cocaine scoops, I can't think of many instances of folks cultivating their fingernails to use as tools. In Japan's Shiga Prefecture, however, exists a traditional tapestry weaving tradition called tsumekaki hon tsuzure ori that reportedly goes back 4,000 years, and which requires the artisans to file grooves into their nails in order to work the thread:
Here's what they're then able to do with these funky nails:
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I admire their dedication to craft. All I have to do is keep my nails short enough to not hit the keyboard keys.
I’m a lapsed industrial designer. I was born in NYC and figured I’d die there, but a few years ago I abandoned New York to live on a farm in the countryside with my wife. We have six dogs.
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These Japanese Tapestry Artisans File Their Fingernails Into Thread-Channeling Tools
Jewish ritual slaughterers (shochtim) use their fingernails to check the sharpness of their knives and as a result, often have an unusually long fingernail on one of their fingers. See here (http://www.thekosheromnivoresquest.com/blog/deconstructing-kosher-slaughter-part-2-the-basics, there's a picture there too):
Guitarists also grow their nails to be used as guitar picks. Richie Havens being a famous example of one such guitarist.