Not to get on a soap box, but a word of caution. I and others have stated this many times previously, but there are a lot of new folks to the forum splicing line that were not part of the original discussions regarding whoopies, UCRs, and the like.
-A Locked Brummel is LESS strong than a regular buried splice. It looks more secure and handles better in no or low loading situations, but the breaking strength is less than a regular buried splices. For Hammock usage, most are not getting that close to the BS of the line so there is some margin of safety there. I use locked brummel in the majority of my splices when loading is less of a concern than the no/low load situation. It saves me from stitching the bury. Locked brummels cause a shearing stress in the line instead of tension which line is rated for. If you're doing it the small stuff, I suggest derating the line. You're probably still fine depending on sag angle and your weight. Remember, at a 30 degree sag angle, the tension in EACH line = your weight (not half of it). As sag angle decreases, tension increases significantly, at 15 degrees sag angle, tension in EACH line is almost double your weight. There is a great chart on HF that shows loading as a function of sag angle. I have no idea of how to find it.
-Tapers- I've seen a couple posts regarding being able to splice the line without tapering. The taper is part of the splice. It lessens the stress concentration at the end of the bury. Many tests have shown the failure of an improperly tapered splice is at the location where the bury ends. It also fails at much less than the advertised splice strength. Splicing without a taper is an incorrect splice. If use choose to do it, I would derate the line to what a typical knot has (about 50-60%)
-Manufacturer's splicing guides.
Regardless of what you read on this site, including my own posts, or any other, follow the manufacturer's splicing guide. They make the line and put their name behind it WHEN splices are done by a professional rigger according to their instructions. The test their line and know all sorts of things that we aren't privy to like coefficients of friction of the line, the coating, how much diameter reduction under load (how much a splice squeezes the bury), etc. High tech, Class 2 lines like spectra/dyneema/amsteel, vectran, etc were created for commercial use like tug boats, cranes, winch lines, etc.. They are just recently (last 5 years or so) getting priced where folks can afford to use them recreationally.
I see no harm if the mfr says bury 6" and you decide to bury 10". If the recomended bury is x fids or 2", what does it cost you to bury a few more inches. Weight and cost are neglible and it's not worth the risk in such a small line.
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