one of my centre lines has a knot in it, just an overhand knot, but its super tight somehow i musnt't of seen it and gone out with it, it has started too fray around it. its right up close too where i attatch it too the kite, is there a special way of undoing it or do i have too replace the line? it would be a shame too break it on the water. im not jumping yet so there wouldnt be massive stress on it?

A knot diminishes the load the line can take. If you're lucky it's going to break on the water, if you're unlucky it's going to happen launching/landing with people nearby. I would replace the lines asap especially if they are already fraying.

Some of the guys on here will recommend working up a nice mouthful of spit and gently chewing on it for it a while, trying to work the knot open. But if it's starting to fray it might be best considering a replacement lineset instead.

Wet the knot as much as possible, gently tap the knot a couple of times on all sides of the knot with a hammer on something smooth like a kitchen chopping board (i'm not kidding!) this will soften it up considerably, use your teeth/nails, repeat as necessary etc and it will eventually come undone.

However, as it is fraying I would replace the line.

Hope that helps.

Just tie a knot in all the other lines so they are all even.

I've used the pointy end of a nail file succesfully in the past, just make sure it has rounded edges. Took me about an hour to unwork a knot that had been loaded up but it came undone eventually, without any trauma to the line. If you can see the core fibres its definately time to replace it though. If you're going to wet it make sure you finish getting it untied at the same time otherwise it shrinks and gets even tighter!

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Capt.Gumby said..

Wet the knot as much as possible, gently tap the knot a couple of times on all sides of the knot with a hammer on something smooth like a kitchen chopping board (i'm not kidding!) this will soften it up considerably, use your teeth/nails, repeat as necessary etc and it will eventually come undone.

However, as it is fraying I would replace the line.

Hope that helps.

I'd go with this one wookie , hammers are smooth and won't tear the line any more and neither will the wood board. I normally just pull out the old pliers and crush the knot this way and that, yank at it, crush it a few more times and they come out really quick but I reckon Capt.'s system is a bit safer an prolly just as fast if not faster.

The tapping and chewing compresses the fibres in the knot giving you room to work the loops apart.

Saliva or water or whatever lubricate the fibres so they slide against each other.

Do not use pliers or anything hard with sharp edges. That just tears the fibres and permanently damages the line. Also the pliers can slip and pinch your fingers. It hurts.

You could use a smooth probe with rounded edges to open the loops but you must have done the squeezing etc first. Poking a nail or a needle into the loops can damage the fibres.

A knot is supposed to weaken the knot by around 40%. I have seen tests that prove that. What doesn't make sense is that the line actually breaks 30-40mm away from the knot.

just had the same prob. Tried the teeth, nail file and finger nails for a couple of hours - over a few days- no loosening. It was a double overhand and super tight. All i'd done was get some slight fraying started

Got a tip to use a ball tip hammer. Only had a light finishing hammer with flat head. Took me about 40 mins gently tapping it, turning 90 degrees, tapping etc. Finally got it.

Usually takes 3 - 5 minutes with warm soapy water and the hammer on a nice flat surface .done it many of times.!

righto thanks guys :)