Knots

InsideOut94 · 12-11-2009, 03:34 PM

So I string about 7 times during a week on my own rackets. Sometimes, when i get to the last tie off and knot once, i knot again and the string sometimes will occasionally snap. I currently use the box tie off technique and was wondering if anyone knew any other techniques to knot?

davidm · 12-11-2009, 03:47 PM

I always use the Parnell knot and have not had a problem with knot breakage in many years of stringing. But when stringing natural gut, i always tighten the knot by hand only, even then being careful not to pull TOO hard, just make sure it's cinched up nicely.

what kind of string are you having this issue with, and are you using your machine tension head to tighten the knot? that's generally not recommended.

jim e · 12-11-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut94

So I string about 7 times during a week on my own rackets. Sometimes, when i get to the last tie off and knot once, i knot again and the string sometimes will occasionally snap. I currently use the box tie off technique and was wondering if anyone knew any other techniques to knot?

Use this knot illustrated on this link below. It is the so called Parnell knot . I was taught this knot many many years back, (over 40 years ago). You also should just use your fingers for cinching up the knot, as that works nice without putting stress on the string. Be sure to rock back the slack as shown as that will take up the slack nice.
BTW, how is it that you string 7 times/week on just your own! That averages once/day for just your own? You must be some string breaker!!!

Use this knot below, as it has worked well for me for years.YUlitle displays it very well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUFjDax7xK4&fmt=18

dancraig · 12-11-2009, 05:22 PM

http://www.keohi.com/tennis/misc/knots.htm

davidahenry · 12-11-2009, 06:41 PM

Another vote for the Parnell Knot. I use it almost exclusively and have never had any problems at all. (The only time I don't use it is when there is VERY little space to tie a knot - then I use the PC Knot.)

Take care.

DH

alidisperanza · 12-13-2009, 10:23 AM

Parnell or plain ole' double half hitch.

Never tighten knots with a machine. It's a recepie for snapping strings (especially gut) At best, with a drop weight or crank you can *CAREFULLY* tension the knots a little bit. Honestly, I'm not too sure why those electric machines even have a "knot" button

Cfidave · 12-13-2009, 12:16 PM

My understanding is that the " knot button" over tensions the last string BEFORE the knot is tied. This makes up for lost tension during the tie off.

TennezSport · 12-13-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cfidave

My understanding is that the " knot button" over tensions the last string BEFORE the knot is tied. This makes up for lost tension during the tie off.

Yes, the "Knot" function on stringing machines is to overtension the last string by a set percentage to minimize any slack when seting your tie off knot.

Cheers, TennezSport

LaverAtor · 12-13-2009, 02:17 PM

Parnell knot has worked for me.

slow_duster · 12-13-2009, 02:38 PM

Parnell knot, tighten knots by hand only. Works on gut every time !! I have used needle-nose pliers on some stiffer strings.

slow_duster · 12-13-2009, 02:39 PM

I wish I had a knot button, that sounds like a great feature..

jim e · 12-13-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow_duster

I wish I had a knot button, that sounds like a great feature..

I only hand tighten my knots.
The knot button has a different function, as is not to tighten anything.
The knot button on my machine will increase the tension by 10% for the one pull after you hit that button, it will then go back to the origional set tension. Its a very nice feature to have.If you tie a good cinched up knot, that button will compensate the 10% for the slight tension loss for the knot. When you do this, and then pluck the strings, the end main will sound just as it should just a very slight higher pitch over the adjacent main.
Many stringers do use this (increasing the end tie off string tension). I am one of those. Many prefer not to as well.Each have various reasons. No set rules on this topic, as it is very debatable each way. Just be sure to be consistant in whichever way you decide.

alidisperanza · 12-13-2009, 10:47 PM

Holy cow! Good to know. It also makes sense as to why my string snapped like a rocket the one time I tried it. (I'm a crank/dropweight kinda guy) I just saw this pretty lit up knot button and made my own assumptions. Thankfully I haven't had the courage to try it again in years.

YULitle · 12-14-2009, 06:47 AM

Lots of good things so far.

No tightening the knot with the tensioner.

Where, exactly, does the knot snap? Does it snap AT the knot or at some spot between the knot and where you are pulling? Or, where you are pulling it?

Also, check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWx3iVPZl_c

Richard Parnell · 12-14-2009, 07:47 AM

Parnell for me too

drakulie · 12-14-2009, 07:54 AM

^^^LOL. Nice!

Bud · 12-14-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim e

Use this knot illustrated on this link below. It is the so called Parnell knot . I was taught this knot many many years back, (over 40 years ago). You also should just use your fingers for cinching up the knot, as that works nice without putting stress on the string. Be sure to rock back the slack as shown as that will take up the slack nice.
BTW, how is it that you string 7 times/week on just your own! That averages once/day for just your own? You must be some string breaker!!!

Use this knot below, as it has worked well for me for years.YUlitle displays it very well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUFjDax7xK4&fmt=18

How did Parnell get credited with a knot that was probably created before he was even born?

Always wondered that... and why he doesn't correct people when they call it that.

BTW, half hitch/double half hitch works perfectly. Always tighten by hand only. Also, depending on which side you loop... the tail will either stick close to the frame... or hang away from the frame. Make sure you loop it so the tail sticks close to the frame.

PimpMyGame · 12-14-2009, 08:35 AM

Double half-hitch for me. Tighten knots by hand and only very occasionally using a starting clamp. I've never broken a string when tying a knot.

drakulie · 12-14-2009, 08:35 AM

Richard, when are you going to sell that 5502??

PimpMyGame · 12-14-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud

BTW, half hitch/double half hitch works perfectly. Always tighten by hand only. Also, depending on which side you loop... the tail will either stick close to the frame... or hang away from the frame. Make sure you loop it so the tail sticks close to the frame.

I use OUT with double half hitch - Over, Under, Through. First knot - work toward the centre of the racket, second knot work towards the frame and this will leave your knot tails close to the frame.

12-11-2009, 03:34 PM	#1
InsideOut94 Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 163	Knots So I string about 7 times during a week on my own rackets. Sometimes, when i get to the last tie off and knot once, i knot again and the string sometimes will occasionally snap. I currently use the box tie off technique and was wondering if anyone knew any other techniques to knot? __________________ "The depressing thing about tennis is that no matter how good I get, I'll never be as good as a wall."

12-11-2009, 06:41 PM	#5
davidahenry Professional Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miamisburg, OH Posts: 953	Another vote for the Parnell Knot. I use it almost exclusively and have never had any problems at all. (The only time I don't use it is when there is VERY little space to tie a knot - then I use the PC Knot.) Take care. DH __________________ (6) Prince Original Graphite MP - Luxilon BB Alu Power Rough - 57 lbs. www.inspired-tennis.com

12-13-2009, 10:23 AM	#6
alidisperanza Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The fishy looking thing that sticks off the East Coast Posts: 1,869	Parnell or plain ole' double half hitch. Never tighten knots with a machine. It's a recepie for snapping strings (especially gut) At best, with a drop weight or crank you can CAREFULLY tension the knots a little bit. Honestly, I'm not too sure why those electric machines even have a "knot" button __________________ "Play like to want to win, not like you want to avoid losing." Yonex 95D

12-13-2009, 02:38 PM	#10
slow_duster Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 126	Parnell knot, tighten knots by hand only. Works on gut every time !! I have used needle-nose pliers on some stiffer strings. __________________ (2x) Head Extreme Pro, Head Rip Control 58lbs

12-13-2009, 02:39 PM	#11
slow_duster Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 126	I wish I had a knot button, that sounds like a great feature.. __________________ (2x) Head Extreme Pro, Head Rip Control 58lbs