WHAT IS HAND SPLICING?

Hand splicing is a technique where you partially unravel the rope strands then braid and feed them back into the main part of the rope in a particular way. It can either be used to make a loop/eye at the end of the rope, something called a back splice which is explained further in the article or to join 2 ropes together. Splicing can be done on a range of wire, synthetic and fibre ropes.  There are many different applications for having a splice on your rope over alternative methods to do the same thing.

So why would you splice your rope? Ever wondered how to stop your rope from fraying? Or realised your rope wasn’t quite long enough? Annoyed when the eye on the end keeps catching? Splicing could be your solution.

Splicing can allow you to change the functionality of your rope products and with a number of different methods, the opportunities are vast.

Number one and the most common use we see is eye splicing. Unravelling the strands at the end of the rope and passing the strands over and under against and back in to form a loop. It can be used to permanently attach items to the end of your rope like hooks or to help prevent the eye from catching if it's running through machinery and sheaves.

Number two, back/end splicing is a technique where the strands of the end of the rope are spliced directly back into the end without forming a loop. Increasing the thickness on the end of the rope, this helps to prevent fraying and makes the rope easier to hold and grab.

Number three, long splice is a technique which can be used to join two ropes together and to make an endless loop with your rope. This method doesn’t change the diameter of the rope like a back splice.

Decided a splice in your rope is to your benefit? Check out the list below for some tools that might make it easier and give it a go. Otherwise, contact your nearest All Lifting branch to find out more about how splicing could benefit you!

• Something to cut your rope with
• A good source of light
• Splicing fid to suit the size and type of rope you're working with
• Pliers
• Tape
• Wooden Mallet