Changing strings - No sharp ends on pegs

[MrBJones]

Changed my strings yesterday. I don't cut to length before winding. This time I didn't actually cut them afterward either; instead I bent and twisted them until they just broke off (took a few seconds each). Not a hint of a sharp end to get poked or cut with! Played for more than an hour last night and again tonight, can't see anything wrong with it. Does anyone else do this?

[Yepow]

Yep, this is the only way I ever do it.

[jersey]

I used to do this, but then on a couple occasions my high E string completely slipped off the peg as I was tuning. I don't know why, maybe my hands were sweaty and it made the strings more slick. Anyway I now give each string one wrap above the posthole, then a few below, then cut the string leaving an eighth of an inch of string which gets clamped down by the windings above and below it. Seems more stable.

[Cue Zephyr]

Good idea. I don't have cutters that can cut very close to the posts.

[Roselynne]

I never trim the strings before I bring them up to tune for the first time.

Part of my kit is a pair of heavy-duty toenail clippers that have never touched a toenail; they're dedicated string-snippers (they look like miniature wire-cutters). Once a string's been tuned for the first time, I snip it. Sometimes I'll trim them down a bit more after a few plays.

Now I must get back to my favorite classical. Just changed the strings, so we're in marathon re-tuning mode. (How many miles long do they stretch before they finally settle in?)

[MJRB]

Originally Posted by Roselynne

I never trim the strings before I bring them up to tune for the first time.

Part of my kit is a pair of heavy-duty toenail clippers that have never touched a toenail; they're dedicated string-snippers (they look like miniature wire-cutters). Once a string's been tuned for the first time, I snip it. Sometimes I'll trim them down a bit more after a few plays.

Now I must get back to my favorite classical. Just changed the strings, so we're in marathon re-tuning mode. (How many miles long do they stretch before they finally settle in?)

I trim them after they are up close to tune (before stretching and double checking). I then bend the ends down so that they don't stab me.
I use a pair of spring loaded end cutters, much the same idea as toenail clippers but more rugged.
MJRB

[PTC Bernie]

I never trim the before I wind them up, and I've always been able to clip them close to the post and not been nicked by stray ends.

[hoyadoc]

I've now twice chipped the finish off the headstock while cutting the wires after partially winding the strings. I think it was due to the wire cutter being too big for the job and not getting close to the peg easily. I might try your method.

I use a small pair of Kleins that I have had for 25 years or so. A larger pair would work too though. I cut at the top of the post and have never touched a headstock with them.

I use the so-called "Taylor method," and do cut the string before winding (once you get it down, it's very easy). I only leave about a max of 1 cm of string sticking out the peg, and it has never injured me