FG knot slip, braid to flouro

[MickD]

On 10/28/2020 at 7:07 PM, new2BC4bass said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPTzkep9xlI

I have tied the FG by fixing the braid to my belt loops with the flexible 'twist ties' and it is far easier than the "braid in the teeth" method because of two things-it is secure and doesn't slip half way through the knot as often happens with the teeth, and second, it gets the knot weaving farther from the eyes so it's easier to control what's going on.  THE METHOD IN THIS VIDEO should be better than my method in that it is all feel and the tension is held by your pinky finger (easy to control and feel).  The guy in the video is right, in my opinion, in his position that tension MUST be maintained in order to tie a reliable knot.  I have tried many times to tie this knot without tensioning and every knot was a failure.  I know some can do it; I cannot.   I note that he does sixteen weaves, more than the earlier versions of the FG.  

 

Relative to the slippery braid issue, it might not be a problem with 16 properly tensioned weaves, but some people scuff the braid to give more traction for this knot.

 

It is a good idea to take one of your knots and cut the braid off the leader to see what condition the leader is in after you tie the knot.  If your leader has not taken a set in what I'll call a "distressed" curly permanent shape then you are not getting a properly tensioned and set knot.  The knot works not only from friction but from deforming the leader to give a "mechanical" lock of the braid to the leader.