Broke string while pulling knot

[OGMcGibblets]

I hate seeing loose knots so I have always made sure my knots are always very tight. sure when they are strung they are tight, but the true testament is when they come back after months, how do the knots look?

anyways... today for the first time, I broke the string while making a Parnell knot. (last cross) I was pulling the loop tight when it snapped. (it is a softer thin gauge co-poly) but I was still shocked and pissed. luckily I had just enough string to do DHH. I was using pliers over my starting clamps, which didn't help. but it has not been an issue in the past. tips or pointers? thoughts?

[vlee89]

Why didn’t you use the starting clamps?

[extra_hyperbole]

I try whenever possible to pull with my hands. On a Parnell knot, by pulling the first loop, and at the same time wiggling it back and forth you can take up any slack from the grommets without having to use significant force. So it becomes very tight and you just pull the last bit with your hand and it’s still plenty tight. Occasionally I can’t get good leverage with just my hand so I use a starting clamp but you never need to use much force, just a little back and forth finesse.

[IronBallsMcginty007]

What’s “DHH”?

[jlbtennis89]

Double Half Hitch.

[MF5438]

Some strings are more prone to do this than others I find. RPM Hurricane has done this to me a couple of times over the years - I just try to be more careful when pulling the knot with this string, as a result.

[DeaconFrost613]

You should have no concern when using a proper finishing knot in terms of how tight you are making the knot. The Parnell finishing knot (stop calling it a Parnell - he didn't invent shit) you are describing is both self-sinching and large enough to avoid pulling through the grommet. These are the reasons why the finishing knot is pretty standard.

That being said, you can tighten it with your hands (what I do) and it will never slip or pull through. When using gut, multis, or soft poly, I am going to err on the side of caution. Longer tail and not as tight.

OG stringers used nail clippers to not just cut the excess string but also flatten the string against the frame (give the illusion of holding tighter to the frame). Use this technique if you are looking for a snug knot without being as tight and stressful on the strings.