So you're saying that a simple double half hitch is incorrect? I find that statement interesting. I used a simple double half hitch for over 10 years of tournament stringing, and never had a failure. I only switched to a different knot when it was required by a company I formerly was employed by. Sure, there a other safer knots than a double half hitch, but if you know what you're doing, a double half hitch is just as safe and effective as a pro knot or Parnell knot. Granted, those two knots are both safer for an anchor string if you are unsure of yourself so I would probably now recommend them over a simple half hitch. A lot of great stringers have spent their lives using the simple double half hitch. To dismiss it as incorrect is an insult to some really accomplished stringers that I've known over the years.
Thanks for your response and I can see and understand where you would have an issue with what I said, perhaps I was a little to blunt in my post.
Fact is, I was taught using the double half hitch, my tutor would pull with all his might at the end, Jam a awl into the grommet and then tie it off with two single half hitche's. The first half hitch would clinch and anchor, the 2nd half hitch would just loop through and since there was no pressure on it, would just hang there, taut by only the pull the the stringer imparted on it. The stringer than removed the wedged in awl and perhaps the knot slipped through the grommet abit or not, but when the clamps were released, more than likely there was a initial slip of the knot into the grommet.
I quickly realized that 1 I didn't like wedging the awl into the grommet as it took some feel, you needed it in tight enough not to let the string slip and not so tight as to possibly damage the frame. 2, I don't like to see the single part of the half hitch slide up into and gaping the grommet, and finally, It just looks sloppy to see a loose dangling 2nd half hitch basically doing nothing, but dangling.
There is another issue I find with the double half hitch - you cannot inherently taut a double half hitch without having someway of keeping it taut(awl). With a Parnell or pro knot, you can rock and cinch easily.
Finally, it's a barometer to me, when I see a racquet from a professional stringing store and it has half hitches I just see it as being some home brew string job from someone not staying up to date with the latest stringing methods.
Yeah so I do think using double half hitch's is incorrect and if it's insulting, I apologize but perhaps those that still use the DHH should think about different solutions.
BTW as a stringer, I find, when someone that brings in a job with DHH, it makes my job so much easier as I can explain how they probably jammed a big awl into their expensive racquet and that see these big gaping holes in your grommet? Well thats because of these knots sliding into the frame.. so it does benefit me.
