#Protection Tapped into the steps and just before the main entrance to the house, they are said to keep male tended people from carrying their bad magic into your house to drop off and leave behind when they go.  A variation on the above ritual  to protect yourself from all dangers, carry a coffin nail in your pocket in a case or pouch of some kind, or wrapped in brown silk. As long as this is in your pocket, no one can successfully perform any vengeful spell against you.

Another protective use for coffin nails is to have one always soaking in a bath of oil or salts which you use. 

Or you can tie the nail in a dark colored handkerchief or a small cloth. Then place that in the tub when you run the hot water. After the bath is full, take the nail out and keep it for re-use each time you bathe. It is believed that many evil forces can be washed away by this method.