Splicing line

[Narwhalin]

In the store the other day, the man let me look at a couple of ropes that had been spliced to form a loop on the end. Can anyone speak to the virtues/drawbacks to using splicing to create the loops we need in support ropes for hammocking.

As a note, when I bought my line he told me he had not had any luck splicing that particular rope. The examples he had spliced were signifacantly larger in diameter than the line I was buying. So, that would be a drawback because you would need heavier rope than most of us are using.

Thoughts?

[Oh-No]

I have spliced the yellow braided poly rope with good results. It makes for a clean neat loop, and the end of the rope (which is usually melted to keep it from unraveling, and can have sharp edges) is hidden.

The braided spectra cords are slippery and I have yet to try and splice them.

I wouldn't know how to splice the lines which are made with parallel core construction (parallel core strands covered with a braided sheath).

[Narwhalin]

Would splicing mean the rope wouldn't be damaged and weakened by the knot, thus increasing longevity and lowering the risk of breakage?

To me, the durability may justify the weight penalty of larger diameter cord. Plus, it is super-cool!

[JayS]

I used to splice rope in my sailing days. A splice weakens the rope much less than a knot. Think about it - a knot often bends the rope fibers significantly but a splice normally does not bend the fibers at all. With the new rope fibers this is not nearly the problem it used to be. Splices do not snag like knots can.

Splices can be made very precisely. A splice can hug an eye for an anchor line (a tear shaped metal piece for the rope to go around and the shackle to hold onto) so tightly the rope cannot be removed.

A splice does not "tighten" after the initial load tightens it slightly. Knots sometimes tighten and loosen.

A good splice rarely fails. The line usually fails first. Splices very rarely come loose like a knot slipping loose.

Splices are often more pleasing aesthetically.

All that said, knots are easier to undo (often it is easier to just cut a splice out), knots are way quicker, knots are much easier to adjust. And with the small multibraid, often slippery lines we often use hammocking, splicing can be impossible. Splicing is easiest with "laid" or twisted rope or with braid that has a limited number of strands and no core.

They each have their place. I really enjoyed splicing when it was part of an activity that benefitted from it. I see a lot less use for it in hammocking. But I'm sure someone will come up with a good reason to try it on something!

[Narwhalin]

If I ever decide to switch to higher diameter line for some reason, I will try splicing one end to hang the hammock from with a larkshead. Thanks for the info, I wish we could use splicing to our advantage more but it doesn't look like it is applicable in very many places...

[daibutsu]

When possible stick to hollow line, 'finger trap' the end, and use fids. You can buy nice delrin fids at paragear for 10 bucks.

[heescha]

sooo....how do you splice a rope!?!

[JayS]

sooo....how do you splice a rope!?!

Considering there are different splices for different lines, you'd have the best luck Googling for it instead of having members here try to explain. Basically you integrate the end of the rope into part of the middle of the rope.

[Ramblinrev]

Splicing is as much art as science. I have never had any luck attempting it. You also usually need some good quality tools, like splicing awls and such. A nice splice of any style has a beauty to it that is hard to describe.

[heescha]

i know what it is, just not how to do it!