TYING THE PALOMAR KNOT
Generally, I steer clear of the mundane in this blog, preferring to concentrate instead on the unusual. So, why am I choosing to post about this most familiar of knots? Surely, there is nothing new to discover that cannot readily be found elsewhere?
In fact, I think there is. Truly, I can think of no other knot that divides opinion as much as the Palomar Knot. People either love it for its simplicity of construction and above-average strength across all line types, or loathe it for its ability to break at the knot seemingly well below the expected poundage.
Clearly, a knot this popular must have some merit. The biggest drawback with it for me was that I found it very difficult to cinch the knot to the level I was happy with - a problem further exacerbated if the object being tied to the line was anything other than a swivel or hook, e.g. a lure.
After a lot of careful research, I think I now understand the cause of these premature break-off's and can offer a solution to anyone considering using this knot.
However, the proposed solution is such that you may wish to base your decision on whether to tie this knot on the thickness of the line you are using, as will become clear later...
I wish to treat this knot objectively so that, whether you are a seasoned practitioner of it or are newly-come to it, you will know how to get the best out of it and avoid some of the pitfalls that are 'glossed over' by the majority of video tutorials.
On paper, the Palomar Knot is one of the easiest hook / swivel / lure connection knots you could wish for. This, coupled with its strength and ability to be used on all line types accounts for its popularity. Unfortunately, it does not cinch nearly as easily as it can be tied, leading to those premature breakages I mentioned above. Since it is such a minimalist knot, there is no margin for mistakes. Most exponents of this knot are using thick lines which are easy to examine, but when you get down to braided lines in the 10-12 lbs class with the thickness of 2 lbs mono, it becomes a much more difficult proposition. Yet, if you don't check, be prepared for an early 'parting of the ways!'.
For comparison purposes, I will first reference a typical video tutorial for tying this knot. Of its type, I think it is one of the better ones out there, but still does not address a fundamental element in the cinching process:
Now, before you rush to judgement, take a medium length of scissors and one length of coloured (for visibility) shoe lace. How easy did you find it to cinch the knot? Did you find the additional length of the scissors makes it more awkward to tighten down and the fact that you have no lubrication to assist?
I have exposed you to this extreme test so that you can see how tricky it can be to tighten down this knot using the conventional method suggested above and how, even if you do get it fairly tight, you will find the underside of the knot slightly loose and not as tight as it should be.
In the following video, I will demonstrate an alternative method to cinch this knot down and point out to you a key area you need to address when cinching if you want to avoid premature break-off's:
Having studied this alternative method of cinching, you can now see how much easier the steps will be to follow with heavier thicker lines than with thinner ones. This is what I meant earlier when I suggested that the line thickness might dictate whether you choose to use this knot with thin lines or not.
You may say that I am making a simple knot overly technical. I wish this was so. The first warning sign you have that this knot differs from most others is how easy or not it is to tighten. Most knots will cinch down without an issue using the shoe lace and scissors scenario, but not the Palomar Knot. It contains potential pinch points within, which, if activated in the wrong sequence, prevent the knot reaching its full potential with disastrous consequences.
On the other hand, forewarned is to be forearmed! Once you understand the problem area, you can pay due care and attention to prevent that area becoming an issue by following the steps I am advocating.
If you are new to this knot, you won't have any pre-conceived ideas. You will get yourself into a good habit when tying and, hopefully, will not experience the issues of your peers.
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