What's wrong with my knots?

[mxblink]

Hi everyone,

So when I string, I typically tie off with a Parnell knot. On rare occasion, I notice that the knot comes out "looking wrong." It always seems to occur when the tie-off location is crowded, either due to another string or a clamp. I'm wondering if I'm actually doing something wrong while tying the knot, or if the knot is "correct" but just comes out looking funny because the other string/clamp is in the way. Pictures below:

Front of knots (bad knot on left):

Back of knots (bad knot on right):

It looks to me like the knot is tied correctly, but the second "loop" of the knot is just pushed down and to the side by the adjacent main string. Does that assessment sound correct? Any reason this is a problem besides just looking ugly?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jim e]

Your knot look okay, it's just limited space for knot in that tie off location.
Usually in small tie off spots like this, I will use the Pro knot as it is smaller and holds vey well, and use the Parnell in all other places where there is the normal room for it.

Here is a link to Irvin's video showing that Pro knot.
It is a good one for small spaces like you have.

 

[Sparkyovcov]

I use pro knot for all tie offs. If the adjacent string is still touching try using a different tie of location

 

[struggle]

I do the same as Jim e, for the same reasons (just like in the pics above).

 

[Irvin]

I 'think' the knots are tied properly it is just that the one with limited space make the lops slide down more toward the frame. For tie off knot either the Parnell or Pro knots work good. With limited space like you have I like to keep the anchor string on top of the intersecting string in your pic the cross would be on top of the main. Then the knot will slide right up against the frame and look good and there s plenty of room to tie off.

If the frame has an odd number of crosses and the crosses tie off on the 17th odd numbered cross the bottom cross will tie off on the opposite side of the frame from the top cross. Make sure you odd cross strings go over the outside mains and you're home free. Or use a pro knot.

 

[mxblink]

Thanks everyone! I think I'll give the pro knot a try for tighter tie-offs. Irvin keeping the odd crosses on top makes a lot of sense too.

Much appreciated!

 

[eelhc]

This is common in many of the frames I string...

Why in the world do manufacturers put tie offs in such awkward spot? I can't think of any technical reason for that long run outside the frame to tie off in a tight space.

 

[ls206]

If it's a frame I will be stringing regularly I'll enlarge a more appropriate grommet with a lubed awl.

 

[Irvin]

This is common in many of the frames I string...

Why in the world do manufacturers put tie offs in such awkward spot? I can't think of any technical reason for that long run outside the frame to tie off in a tight space.

The reasoning may be to tie the bottom cross off on a cross string. If you tie off on a main one of the tie off anchor strings will go diagonally through the grommet. The next to bottom goes diagonally through the grommet so the closest option would be the next one up the problem is the proximity of the outside main to that grommet.

If you're going to make a racket that skips 7&9T (I'm assuming this is a 16 main racket. I prefer to have the tie off locations at 8T for mains though and 6T for the bottom because the racket shown in the OP's photo blocks the grommet for the bottom cross with two holes. Using 8&6T for tie off locations makes the clamps closer to the knots too so you have less drawback.

 

[Irvin]

If it's a frame I will be stringing regularly I'll enlarge a more appropriate grommet with a lubed awl.

There is no more appropriate grommet. Have you looked at the other grommets in the OP's picture.

 

[ls206]

I was speaking of general scenario but the picture shows 2 grommets that would offer more space for the tie off knot. That's exactly what I did when I was using Angell racquets.

 

[Irvin]

@ls206 which ones are you talking about?

 

[ls206]

The middle pair (between the two tie off pairs).
Reading your previous posts above I imagine you would discount them in order to avoid blocked holes or sub-optimal clamp placement?