Used flats - how does that work?

[Jon Moody]

Maybe it’s nonsense and not really necessarily. @Jon Moody could probably confirm.

As this is regarding TI's, I can't confirm. I don't know how they wind their strings, so cannot speak with authority on whether or not they definitely need a crimp at the end, when trimming to length. However, I would also err on the side of caution, given the pricetag.

DR specifically mentions to make a 90 degree bend in the string before you cut them to length. That is because of how their windings are anchored to the round core wire they use.

We do something called a "swage," which puts an ever so slight flat edge on the round core. That allows the covers to anchor to the core wire down the entire length of the string. For GHS round core strings, you do not need to crimp, or put in a bend before cutting. I routinely don't, to prove this.

That said, I also use a fairly large set of wire cutters, which seem to put a crimp in the cut area ANYWAY.

 

[Gorn]

As this is regarding TI's, I can't confirm. I don't know how they wind their strings, so cannot speak with authority on whether or not they definitely need a crimp at the end, when trimming to length. However, I would also err on the side of caution, given the pricetag.

DR specifically mentions to make a 90 degree bend in the string before you cut them to length. That is because of how their windings are anchored to the round core wire they use.

We do something called a "swage," which puts an ever so slight flat edge on the round core. That allows the covers to anchor to the core wire down the entire length of the string. For GHS round core strings, you do not need to crimp, or put in a bend before cutting. I routinely don't, to prove this.

That said, I also use a fairly large set of wire cutters, which seem to put a crimp in the cut area ANYWAY.

I meant about round core strings in general. I think the idea is the wrap wire isn’t as securely wound around a round wire as it is around a hex wire and cutting a round core can cause slippage. Seeing as I haven’t changed my strings in a decade and don’t plan to any time soon, it doesn’t make a difference to me, but I’ve always thought that was the gist of it.

 

[Jon Moody]

I meant about round core strings in general. I think the idea is the wrap wire isn’t as securely wound around a round wire as it is around a hex wire and cutting a round core can cause slippage.

That's true; round core doesn't grab the wrap wire as securely. But as I mentioned, everyone seems to handle that problem differently, so it's not simply an "in general" answer.

I only know how DR anchors their wire on a round core string (it's with a notch in the core, at the end) because I've reverse-engineered to see how they're made. Which is how we landed on our solution of using a swage across the length of the string.

Haven't had the opportunity to do that with a set of TIs.