This might be a silly question, so sorry in advance if it is. When I tie a palomar, a lot of times the tag end and even the first couple inches of the standing line, will be curled real bad. If I run it fingers over it, it's still smooth, I can't FEEL damage..   but is it in fact damaged when this happens?  I rarely use the palomar with fluorocarbon or mono but want to start to use it for some applications. Thanks for any input guys and gals!

I would say yes on the damage, it sounds like you are tightening the knot to soon, slow down and get the loops as close the the eye before cinching down.

Make sure you are lubricating the knot really well before you cinch it down too.

2 things can kill a Palomar knot.

1. Twisting the loop and putting the hook through after you make the double overhand step. If you does it will cross the double line overheating the finished knot when clinched tight.

2. Pulling the overhand double knot too tight and pulling both the tag and main line clinching the knot tight, this can overheat the line if dry.

Flattened line is severely weakened, re tie!

Tom

   Put ONE drop OF LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP on the knot before you pull it tight. Liquid laundry soap is a million times better than saliva at lubrication. Dab with a handkerchief if you want and you're set to go.  Keep an eyedropper vial of it with you.    jj

Good old fashion Spit has worked for many, many years without fail..

34 minutes ago, Hammer 4 said:

Good old fashion Spit has worked for many, many years without fail..

What he said

you are probably pulling the main line and not the tag end to tighten, that will make the line curl.  Al the other advice given is good too.  As I used to tell my clients when I used to be a rock climbing guide....a not neat knot need not be tied.....

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Put ONE drop OF LIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP on the knot before you pull it tight. Liquid laundry soap is a million times better than saliva at lubrication. Dab with a handkerchief if you want and you're set to go.  Keep an eyedropper vial of it with you.    jj

Then you have a fresh smelling knot that resists stains!

I only use the Palomar with braid.. 

Spit and tighten slooooowly...

I find it useful to sorta tighten carefully via tag and main line. Back 'n forth. Never forcing from one end.

Even assisting the line to come together when using a knot that has multiple wraps around the main line. 

 

Karl

I always slob it up good with saliva, pull very slow, and equally pull there tag and standing line when drawing tight. I start with a very loose overhand. Should that be more snug first? 

Good video. Been tying Palomar that way for thirty years. Never have a knot failure when done properly. When you tie it it should cinch smoothly. If not it's wrong.

 

12 hours ago, flyfisher said:

you are probably pulling the main line and not the tag end to tighten, that will make the line curl.  Al the other advice given is good too.  As I used to tell my clients when I used to be a rock climbing guide....a not neat knot need not be tied.....

 I use the palomar knot about 98% of the time and this is the best advice to avoid curling your line. Pull the tag end instead of the mainline, wet the line and don’t over tighten it. 

About the knot video... Wow that is exactly how I tie the palomar knot. And I arrived at that same solution independently when I too experienced the that damage on the line the OP described. Not saying I’m a genius because I’m not, but it sure feels good that ‘lil ‘ol me did something right from the get go. 

 

I can vouch for the guys claim.  I’ve been doing this for the past 15 years and the palomar knot has never failed me. Feels good (insert tony, tony, tony song here).

 

I wish people that constantly call out people for calling things some name other than the name they use would use spell check when doing so.  Lol

I've always put a finger in the loop created with the overhand knot and slowly cinched it down to my finger. I then remove the finger, wet the knot and slowly cinch it down to the hook pulling main and tag end. Wrong?