You can string a racquet using a single 10m string with 2-knots, or, with 2x5m lengths and secure these 2 strings with 4-knots - see examples below.
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| 4-knots with equal tension of horizontal and vertical string |
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| 2-knot with equal tension throughout |
INFO - If you strung a racquet and then remove the string used, it will measure 8.3-8.5m.
Browsing the internet for stringing patterns, you will notice different manufacturers show pictures of either 4-knot or 2-knot patterns.
In addition, there are references for the horizontal tension to be +1/2lbs higher than the vertical when doing 4-knots.
And talking to friend(s) overseas, there seem to be regional preference(s) eg 4-knots for Down Under (Australia, NZ), around 50/50 in ASEAN nations, etc.
Thus it looks like there is no clear dominance of either 2/4-knots, either than regional influences (at this point of time).
Personally, I prefer the feedback from racquets strung using 2-knots as a single string is used thru-out the frame which permits the tension to be spread out more evenly (especially after a few hits). It's alike the bi-wiring in HIFI e.g if you check the internals of an amplifier the 2 pairs of terminals are fed from the same source, and, HIFI designers say they provided the facility due to consumer demand not because it truly provide advantages.
Similarly I do the same tension on both vertical and horizontal lines when doing 4-knots - everyone who has tried my 4-knot hybrid stringing have provided good feedback so far.
Using higher tension on the horizontals really only brings an advantage when you string the aluminium frame racquets.
ReplyDeleteThis is because the aluminum frame does not withstand tension as well as a composite frame. Hence if you started with the vertials, the frame will appear deflated. Thus to fix the frame deformation, you pull the horizontals at a slightly higher tension eg +1 or +2 of the vertical tension. Not really necessary for a composite racquet as even if they deform, you only need to cut the string and let it be a couple days before the frame revert to it's original shape.