Page 182 - Knack Knots You Need

BaCK SPLICe

A knot that interweaves the strands of a
braided rope to prevent fraying.

Traditionally, ropes were made of three strands twisted strands, but this same method of back splicing will work.
(or laid) together. When the rope was cut to the required Since back splicing serves the same purpose as whip-
length, splicing was required to prevent fraying. Being ping (tying smaller stuff around a cut end of rope to
able to back splice a rope was considered a basic skill prevent fraying), this knot is sometimes known as Span-
required of all sailors. Some ropes are made with four ish whipping. Unlike whipping, a back splice actually

Back Splice: Step 1 Back Splice: Step 2

KnOtS YOU need: BOat KnOtS

Begin by interweaving the strands into a knot Tighten the crown knot against the end of the
known as a crown, as shown in the photograph. rope. Splicing can start now.
Do this by forming a bight in each strand, then
tucking the end of the adjacent strand through
the bight. Work clockwise around the unrav-
eled end of the rope.

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