Thread: Knot testing scale

I purchased a Berkeley digital scale to test the breaking strength of various tippet knots. However, this scale doesn't seem to work right all the time. For example, sometimes when I'm pulling it remains at 0.0 and then jumps to a higher number, rather than change gradually with the pull. I am aware of and considering monofilament elongation in my tests.

Does anyone else out there use an economical scale for this purpose? If so, what make and model?

Originally Posted by Andy

I purchased a Berkeley digital scale to test the breaking strength of various tippet knots. However, this scale doesn't seem to work right all the time. For example, sometimes when I'm pulling it remains at 0.0 and then jumps to a higher number, rather than change gradually with the pull. I am aware of and considering monofilament elongation in my tests.

Does anyone else out there use an economical scale for this purpose? If so, what make and model?

Andy,

You really don't want to use a digital scale for this. You should get a spring scale with a memory marker. The memory marker will slide with the needle and then stay at the breaking point so you know exactly where it was when it broke.

Here's an example of one on ebay.
22 POUND CAP.FISHING SPRING SCALE (NEW) - eBay (item 380010815511 end time Apr-01-08 21:13:58 PDT)

Mine isn't quite like this, I got it over 25 years ago, back when engineers used mechanical spring scales. The company I got mine from doesn't even exist anymore. But, this one should work fine for testing line/knot strengths.

Cdog

A spring scale is what I've seen used to set drags before we go offshore for tuna. We check the settings for strike, fighting and full drag. Never noticed the brand of the scale.

I have two spring scales but they don't have memory markers. Hence, I was never sure exactly where the breakage point was when breakage occurred. I thought the digital scale was the solution but I guess I was wrong.