Those Who Hate It:
Though I'm still trying to understand why there is this huge difference of opinion about this tool, it seems to me that those who already have the ability to knot fairly well find the tool to be awkward and over priced. Since they already know how to knot, it seems to some jewelry makers like another gadget to learn how to use. Why spend the time to learn how to use the tool when they can already do it without the tool?
Those Who Love It:
For those knotters who are either new to knotting or don't knot on a regular basis (like myself), most find the tool to be very helpful. It's quicker than knotting with an awl, and your knots are more even. It also seems easier to get the knot up to the beads so there isn't any space for your beads to slide around.
Price Issues: Part of the debate on the forum has to do with the cost of the knotter and the video. The knotter normally retails for around $45 and the video for $23. Combine the cost of the tool, video, tax, and possibly shipping, and you're over $70. Many jewelry makers have voiced their opinions that it's just too expensive. One forum member even suggested that the manufacturer should not charge extra for the video but instead include it along with the tool, and I have to say that I tend to agree. I would think that not only would this help the user learn to use the tool properly, but it might also help the manufacturer sell more knotters.
Now, as far as the cost of the Tri-Cord Knotter tool, I think it is a fair price. Of course, this really depends on your needs. If you want to knot well and knot often but are either inexperienced or not very good at knotting, then the tool might be great for you. If you already know how to knot or you rarely find the need to knot in your jewelry making, then it probably wouldn't be worth the cost for you.
My Experience: I received my knotter from Wig Jig, along with the instructional video. I wanted to see if I could figure out how to use it without the video, so I read the instructions that came in a booklet with the knotter. They weren't very good, so I also read the instructions in my Rio Grande tool catalog. Between those two, I was able to figure it out. It probably took me about 10 to 15 minutes of practice, and then I was ready to try knotting a necklace. The necklace was about 20+ inches long and took me about 20 minutes to knot. I was about 95% successful with each knot, and had to only fix a couple of them. So, I liked the Tri-Cord Knotter. Just as with any new tool, practice will make me better at it, but I could see myself knotting much more now because of this tool.
As far as the video, I'm not sold on it. The video demonstrates how to use the knotter, how to finish a necklace using French wire, how to finish a necklace using bead tips, and how to create an endless knotted necklace. So, inexperienced jewelry makers would find these instructions helpful. For those who already know most of the techniques shown and just want help with using the tool, they will probably feel that the extra cost of the video may not be worthwhile.
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