Page 35 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

then over the third strand. Lead the third strand over the second strand and down

through the bight.
The third and final step doubles the entire knot; this is the simplest part of the
entire process. Beginning with any strand, duplicate its journey through the knot
by eyeballing, poking, and wiggling it. (You left the knot loose in anticipation of
this step.)

The strand’s journey began near the point where its end now emerges. Guide
the end back into the knot at that point and retrace the circuit—in effect,
doubling the strand. Take care as you work that you don’t separate other parallel
pairs. It’s so easy once you get rolling that you have only to stop yourself from
going too far. If the strand starts to appear in triplicate, you need to back up a
little. Repeat this process for all three strands, and you’ll have doubled the knot.
Now cinch the strands firmly and evenly.

For a smooth, better-looking splice, finish with the California method: After
three full rounds of tucks (five with nylon rope), the first strand is left as is. The
next strand is tucked once (as in the beginning steps), and the last strand is
tucked twice.

Cut the ends off close, seal or melt the ends of synthetic rope with a hot knife
or match, and remove the tape.