The luthier's knot. Not my favorite. Not even close

The luthier's knot is an elaborate solution to a problem that a properly strung guitar generally doesn't have, and it transfers the inconvenience from the person installing the strings to the poor sucker who has to take them off later.

That would be me.

If you don't know what the luthier's knot is, watch this video from a tech who thinks it's great.

 .

Now, here's why I don't like it.

• It makes old strings unnecessarily difficult to remove.  Instead of unwinding and pulling the string through the post, you're trying to release a tight kink in stiff music wire.
• It slows down a routine string change. That's minor for someone restringing one guitar at home; it's irritating when you're doing several guitars at a repair bench. 
• The cut end can and will stab you if it gets a chance. It's just waiting to get you and, sooner or later, that tetanus-laden stinger will draw some blood.  Usually when a customer is watching you and probably one that faints at the sight of blood gushing out of your finger.
• Old/corroded strings are even worse to change with this knot.  This is usually a sign I am dealing with a Punxsutawney Phil — everybody deals with one.  you only see him once a year, and when he shows up it means six more hours of work than it should take.
• Pliers.  Sometimes more than one pair. And dental tools if they did an especially good job. 
• It can encourage people (who do not know any better) to diagnose tuning problems at the wrong end of the guitar. Tuning instability may instead involve nut binding, insufficient string seating/stretching, tremolo issues, poor winding technique or hardware problems. The knot doesn't cure those.  This is like when I try to fix the dryer at home.  Four parts replacements in and I'm thinking I should have just called Fox Appliance and had them fix it the first time.
• It's ugly
• Did I mention that the next person servicing the guitar (me, Dan Erlewine, whoever. . .) pays the price. The person who tied the knot got the satisfaction of making it “secure”; the guitar tech six months later gets to untie six tiny knots made from dirty steel wire.  I feel a tad ripped off on my end of that deal.