# What to you use to pick out knots? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Yo-Yo\ **Created:** [December 23, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971 "2012-12-23T04:25:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LinksLegionaire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/linkslegionaire/32/886_2.png) [@LinksLegionaire](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LinksLegionaire)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 4:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/1 "2012-12-23T04:25:33Z")
I don’t mean knots in your string, but I don’t know the accepted term of when the string gets wrapped around the axle twice. A ‘bearing knot’? Let it be done… Anyways, I use this little fella. My mom (who passed about a year ago) got it for me a while back. I don’t remember why, or even when, but one day I just…had it. Actually its primary function isn’t one that is forum appropriate, but I found that its slenderness (not to mention coolness) is perfect for assisting in my yoyoing. I call it The Wizard. If someone can figure out why, I’ll give them a 5% discount on select items in my BST. ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/3/b/c3b551d8677519bf104f0bfa1921784d6b52b56d.jpeg) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/e/5/b/e5bcedc41e1fabf454a8b2aea2e1d6173b44cf6d.jpeg) ![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/7/2/1/721268d8313294636493f5c8cf32b43e53c4d3da.jpeg) I haaaate my brother’s point and shoot camera; these were the best pictures I could get. Can’t wait til my T2i arrives. Merry Christmas to myself 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cruton](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/cruton/32/1227_2.png) [@cruton](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/cruton)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 4:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/2 "2012-12-23T04:28:43Z")
toothpick. although i havnt had to use one in a few weeks. i guess im not throwing enough. lol ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Yoyoguy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/mr_yoyoguy/32/922_2.png) [@Mr\_Yoyoguy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Mr_Yoyoguy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 4:30am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/3 "2012-12-23T04:30:26Z")
Most people call it an axle knot. ---
**Author:** ![LinksLegionaire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/linkslegionaire/32/886_2.png) [@LinksLegionaire](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LinksLegionaire)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/4 "2012-12-23T04:38:06Z")
> [@Mr\_Yoyoguy](#): > > Most people call it an axle knot. I ain’t most people. ---
**Author:** ![Jake\_Elliott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@Jake\_Elliott](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jake_Elliott)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 4:57am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/5 "2012-12-23T04:57:24Z")
I call it a green triangle knot. I usually use whatever is thin, long, and is near me. Often mechanical pencils with the lead extended out. ---
**Author:** ![ArchersAxe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@ArchersAxe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/ArchersAxe)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 5:08am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/6 "2012-12-23T05:08:28Z")
Why not just unscrew the yoyo and get it out? ??? I’ve used scrap MTG cards, but most recently pencils. ---
**Author:** ![GregP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/gregp/32/1192_2.png) [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/7 "2012-12-23T05:11:48Z")
I’m the first person to say “unbent paperclip”? Weird. I keep one in my wallet. Isn’t that one of Ed’s 60 rules or something? @ArchersAxe: if you have a paperclip at hand, it’s faster. Also, some yoyos I dread unscrewing, like my C3 Token. It has a crappy little axle that is rumoured to strip easily. Rather just pick the knot than open that bad boy up too many times. ---
**Author:** ![YoyoGeezer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyogeezer/32/755_2.png) [@YoyoGeezer](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/YoyoGeezer)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 5:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/8 "2012-12-23T05:15:14Z")
I use tweezers. I have some nice long, slender craft tweezers made for handling paper. They work very well grabbing the axle knots; although I find it helps to understand their anatomy. I seldom need to unscrew the yoyo now. ---
**Author:** ![HipposLoveCereal](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hipposlovecereal/32/7934_2.png) [@HipposLoveCereal](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/HipposLoveCereal)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 5:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/9 "2012-12-23T05:16:58Z")
> [@GregP](#): > > I’m the first person to say “unbent paperclip”? Weird. I keep one in my wallet. > > Isn’t that one of Ed’s 60 rules or something? > > @ArchersAxe: if you have a paperclip at hand, it’s faster. Also, some yoyos I dread unscrewing, like my C3 Token. It has a crappy little axle that is rumoured to strip easily. Rather just pick the knot than open that bad boy up too many times. Yeah I use a paperclip as well. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmyjamma21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@Jimmyjamma21](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jimmyjamma21)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/10 "2012-12-23T05:55:07Z")
i grow out my non throw hand pinky nail slightly longer than the rest, so i can pick those knots with ease. works great! ---
**Author:** ![TheYoYoist101](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/theyoyoist101/32/842_2.png) [@TheYoYoist101](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheYoYoist101)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 5:58am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/11 "2012-12-23T05:58:28Z")
Do you call it the wizard because it looks like a Wizard? ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:05am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/12 "2012-12-23T06:05:23Z")
I try to use a toothpick unless the knot is too tight. Then I use a paperclip. But I worry I’ll scratch the ano with a paperclip. So I only use one when a toothpick won’t do the job. The “wizard” looks like Gandalf. Am I right? A big dork? Both? ;D ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/13 "2012-12-23T06:10:40Z")
> [@MikeEff](#): > > I try to use a toothpick unless the knot is too tight. Then I use a paperclip. That’s my tool set as well. Toothpick rarely fails. ---
**Author:** ![dynikus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/dynikus/32/812_2.png) [@dynikus](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/dynikus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/14 "2012-12-23T06:23:18Z")
I either unscrew it, or use a monkey finger. ---
**Author:** ![LinksLegionaire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/linkslegionaire/32/886_2.png) [@LinksLegionaire](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/LinksLegionaire)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/15 "2012-12-23T06:25:51Z")
> [@M.DeV1](#): > > Do you call it the wizard because it looks like a Wizard? You nailed it. > [@MikeEff](#): > > The “wizard” looks like Gandalf. I like to think so 😛 I love LoTR > [@Jimmyjamma21](#): > > i grow out my non throw hand pinky nail slightly longer than the rest, so i can pick those knots with ease. works great! Yeah might wanna be careful with that. People are going to think you’re a cokehead lmao. ---
**Author:** ![TheYoYoist101](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/theyoyoist101/32/842_2.png) [@TheYoYoist101](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TheYoYoist101)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/16 "2012-12-23T06:56:07Z")
> [@LinksLegionaire](#): > > > [@M.DeV1](#): > > > > Do you call it the wizard because it looks like a Wizard? > > You nailed it. > > > [@MikeEff](#): > > > > The “wizard” looks like Gandalf. > > I like to think so 😛 I love LoTR > > > [@Jimmyjamma21](#): > > > > i grow out my non throw hand pinky nail slightly longer than the rest, so i can pick those knots with ease. works great! > > Yeah might wanna be careful with that. People are going to think you’re a cokehead lmao. Okay what’s 5% off on your BST? ---
**Author:** ![Jagmcool](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jagmcool/32/1203_2.png) [@Jagmcool](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jagmcool)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 7:14am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/17 "2012-12-23T07:14:30Z")
Am I the only one that is really curious of its primary purpose? Haha ---
**Author:** ![PlasticWhip](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/plasticwhip/32/896_2.png) [@PlasticWhip](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/PlasticWhip)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/18 "2012-12-23T10:18:02Z")
I always carry a paperclip. ---
**Author:** ![anonyo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8baadc/32.png) [@anonyo](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anonyo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/19 "2012-12-23T13:11:47Z")
the plastic part on the end of my glasses broke off, leaving a metal piece small enough to remove bearing knots. ---
**Author:** ![N8dogg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a88e57/32.png) [@N8dogg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/N8dogg)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2012, 2:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971/20 "2012-12-23T14:23:39Z")
I also keep a paperclip in my wallet. [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/what-to-you-use-to-pick-out-knots/46971.md?page=2)