Was gunna fix a knot in one of my lines, every time I set up in last couple of weeks I thought must get that knot out, but didn't get around to it, it won't break, will it ? Yep I loaded up and snap goes the line, kite looping and a swim in.

Moral to this story, get the knot out as soon as you see it.

if anyone has a spare 24 m Ozone (or similar) line hanging about in spare bits, I'd be happy to buy it, just pm me,

cheers

Where did the line snap? In all the testing I have seen of lines they usually snap 2-3cm from where the knot is.

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Gorgo said..
Where did the line snap? In all the testing I have seen of lines they usually snap 2-3cm from where the knot is.

Hi Gorgo, it snapped right at the edge of the knot.

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Surfer62 said..
Was gunna fix a knot in one of my lines, every time I set up in last couple of weeks I thought must get that knot out, but didn't get around to it, it won't break, will it ? Yep I loaded up and snap goes the line, kite looping and a swim in.

Moral to this story, get the knot out as soon as you see it.

if anyone has a spare 24 m Ozone (or similar) line hanging about in spare bits, I'd be happy to buy it, just pm me,

cheers

The general rule of thumb in climbing/abseiling is a knot will reduce the overall strength of the line by up to half. I imagine the same rule applies with our flying lines.

Good info to know thanks for the post..

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Surfer62 said...
Was gunna fix a knot in one of my lines, every time I set up in last couple of weeks I thought must get that knot out, but didn't get around to it, it won't break, will it ? Yep I loaded up and snap goes the line, kite looping and a swim in.

Moral to this story, get the knot out as soon as you see it.

if anyone has a spare 24 m Ozone (or similar) line hanging about in spare bits, I'd be happy to buy it, just pm me,

cheers

I have some spare 23m slingshot lines. Not sure if that will work. Only have 3 because 1 snapped so i baught a new set.

Ps dunno why every now and then i post these funny faces at the end of my comment lol it just happens i dunno why

any ideas on getting out a tiny knott?

Chew it, obviously without eating it...

wet (or chew) the knot and then place it on a hard smooth surface, nothing rough (like concrete) or you may damage the line further.

Then get the smallest hammer you have and gently tap the knot until it flattens out, then turn on its side and repeat until you can see the knot has loosened enough to untie with your fingers.

Always get knots out as soon as you see them, they will eventually become too hard to get out of the line with damage, or your line will snap.

There are two techniques at play when loosening a knot:
- Compression. You compress the fibres in the knot creating slack in the loops so you can pull the line through.
- Lubrication. You make the line slippery so the it will slip through the loops.

Gentle chewing or hammer tapping does the compression.
Chewing also lubricates the line with your saliva. You can soak the line in soapy water to lubricate it.

When working the line out of the loops the best thing is to catch the edge of a loop and push it to open it up. Do it gently and repeatedly in both directions.

Never ever try to grab the loops with pliers and try to pull them apart. You will tear the fibres and probably pinch your fingers.

Never try to push a needle through a loop (unless there is a clear opening). If you push the needle through the fibres then try to pull you will damage the line.

There is no such thing as a knot that cannot be undone with care and patience.

Good advice, just read the post above. Chewed the knot hammered it on a flat surface and teased it out.. Only a few tiny frays. I'm hoping shouldn't effect the strength of the line. (Maybe three individual threads,,)

Thoughts

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Sauce said..
Good advice, just read the post above. Chewed the knot hammered it on a flat surface and teased it out.. Only a few tiny frays. I'm hoping shouldn't effect the strength of the line. (Maybe three individual threads,,)

Thoughts

At the end of the day it's better than having a knot in your line... a few frays are no worse than some general wear and tear I've seen. Just keep an eye on it each time you setup...

A past thread;

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/General/Knots-in-Lines-4/?SearchTerms=hammer

Thanks for the thread, and the posts guys.
I've had a knot in my right steering line for ages and a "she'll be right" attitude. After reading this thread it decided that I better do something.
Chewed the line for 10 mins in front of the telly and the knot fell out no worries.

Thanks heaps

Yeah definitely worth untying.. My cuz snapped a steering line on the 3rd time he used the kite.. Snapped just below the knot and looped its way to the beach.. I was about to take to mine with pliers but remembered this thread..

The best way to get a knot out..... Is to lay the knot down on something hard and smooth, like apiece of wood. Then give it a few taps with a hammer.
Guess it flattens it out and softens the knot. Pretty easy to chew it loose so long as you don't have rotten teeth like mine.
Was taught this trick by the guys at my local store. I swear it should be in every users manual. Has saved me heaps of time and headaches.

Geez Surfer, green thumbs for a change