Students will learn how to splice an eye in three-strand rope. Each student will be supplied with a short length of three-strand rope and masking tape. The technique will be demonstrated step-by-step, allowing time for students to complete each step before moving on to the next.
If time allows, dog-point splices (prettier end finishers than knots) and short splices (join two lengths of rope together into one length) will also be covered.
Splicing rope, especially when working with lengths made of coarse fibers like sisal or manila, requires a bit of manual manipulation to open the twist and push/pull the weaver strands through. It is hard on hands. Students are welcome to bring their own lengths of three-strand rope to work with. Quarter-inch to three-eighths-inch diameter ropes are a good size to start with. Smaller than quarter-inch and the rope becomes difficult to see. Larger than half-inch the rope becomes more difficult to handle. Additionally, larger diameter = larger minimum eye opening (= you’ll need a proportionally longer length of rope).
There is no handout. However, below is a short list of external resources you may access before or after the class:
- The Ashley Book of Knots | Clifford W. Ashley, 1944. Public Domain.
- Plates Reference / Finder
- Basic Eye Splice: plates 2754-2758
- Short Splice: plates 2635-2640
- Dog Point/Crown Splice/Back Splice: plates 2813-2819
- Where to Read
- Ashley downloadable PDF
- Ashley at Internet Archive
- Your local library
- Buy a copy through Bookshop.org
- Plates Reference / Finder