Rope splicing

Stages in splicing the end of a rope, from Scientific American, 1871

Rope splicing in ropework is the forming of a semi-permanent joint between two ropes or two parts of the same rope by partly untwisting and then interweaving their strands. Splices can be used to form a stopper at the end of a line, to form a loop or an eye in a rope, or for joining two ropes together.[1] Splices are preferred to knotted rope, since while a knot typically reduces the strength by 20–40%,[2] a splice is capable of attaining a rope's full strength.[3] However, splicing usually results in a thickening of the line and, if subsequently removed, leaves a distortion of the rope. Most types of splices are used on three-strand rope, but some can be done on 12-strand or greater single-braided rope, as well as most double braids.

While a spliced three-strand rope's strands are interwoven to create the splice, a braided rope's splice is constructed by simply pulling the rope into its jacket.[clarification needed]

  1. ^ Beech, Frank (2005). Splicing Bell Ropes Illustrated (first ed.). Central Council of Church Bell Ringers. pp. 1–32. ISBN 0-900271-82-5.
  2. ^ Neil Montgomery, Single Rope Techniques (Natl Speleological Society, June 1982), p. 1.
  3. ^ Merry, Barbara (2001). The Splicing Handbook (second ed.). International Marine. p. 1. ISBN 0-07-135438-7.