The Nicky is something of an underrated knot. But despite its relative obscurity, the Nicky is actually a versatile tie knot that can fill a number of roles. It might not be the only tie knot a man needs to know, but it’s certainly on the short list of good ones to have practiced. A Nicky uses a relatively small amount of length, which makes it a good option for tall men or men with ties that are a touch on the short side. It makes a thicker knot than the four-in-hand, and one with a symmetrical appearance (although in mathematical terms it is not, technically, a symmetrical knot, as it has more “moves” on one side than the other). In bulk, the Nicky falls between the four-in-hand and the half Windsor. It can be particularly useful for men wearing skinny knit ties – a four-in-hand tied in a skinny tie is so small it looks absurd, but the narrow width also can’t hide the internal structure of a half Windsor completely. The Nicky’s smaller structure can be hidden under even a skinny band of cloth, while still providing a nice hefty knot in a knit tie. The name “Nicky” supposedly comes from Nikita Kruschev’s visit to Milan, where quick-tying “inside-out” knots like the Nicky and the Pratt knot are commonly used in shop displays and tailors’ windows. The Nicky is a self-releasing version, which makes it especially convenient – to untie it, simply lift the narrow end up out of the knot. The rest will fall apart without it.