well self-tipping is a pretty good indicator of tie quality...
Also, "high quality ties are cut across the fabric (cut on the bias), this allows the tie to fall straight without curling after being knotted . To test for this, loop the tie on your hand and see if it begins to twirl in the air, if it doesn't then it's a high quality tie."
http://www.tieguide.com/buy.htm
Not sure what else to look for besides that when it comes to tie quality (I always just buy ties from known quality makers), so to make up for my lack of knowledge on the subject, I'll leave you with two necktie jokes:
"A guy goes into a restaurant and lounge, his shirt open at the collar, but is stopped by a bouncer who tells him he must wear a necktie to get in.
So the guy goes out to his car and he looks around for a tie and discovers that he just doesn't have one. He sees a set of jumper cables in his trunk. In desperation he ties these around his neck, manages to fashion a fairly acceptable looking knot and lets the ends dangle free.
He goes back to the restaurant and the bouncer carefully looks him over for a few minutes and then says, "Well, okay, I guess you can come in -- just don't start anything."
*********************************************
"A man is crawling through the Sahara desert when he is approached by another man riding on a camel. As the rider approaches, the crawling man whispers through his parched lips, "Water ... please ... can you give ... water ..."
"I'm sorry," replies the man on the camel, "I don't have any water with me. But I'd be delighted to sell you a necktie."
"Necktie?" whispers the man. "I need water!"
"They're only four dollars apiece."
"I need water."
"Okay, okay, two for seven dollars."
"Please! I need water!" the man exclaims.
"I don't have any water, all I have are ties," replies the salesman, as he heads off into the distance.
By now the man has lost all track of time, crawling through the desert seemingly for days. Finally, nearly dead, with clothes tattered and skin peeling under the relentless sun, he comes upon a restaurant. Summoning his last bit of strength, he staggers to the door and confronts the head waiter.
"Water ... can I get ... water," the dying man pleads.
"I'm sorry, sir. Our dress code requires a tie" replies the waiter."
