Page 115 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

and head back to the link. Go back and forth a few
times until you can do it right. If the rope loses its
lay, make up another practice piece. Remember, this
is a high-skill splice; do not practice on your actual
rode. The secret is first to twist the strand clockwise
while holding a little tension on it, and then to pull
it firmly into the groove. This same technique is also
used for making rope grommets, long splices, and
single-strand repairs, so it’s a skill well worth having.
When you’re a competent layer-in, return to the
position in Figure 4-8B and cut off all but 6 to 8
inches of the laid-out strand.
Here you have options. For the smoothest
splice, divide both the laid-in and laid-out strands
into two equal bundles of yarns, right down to the
Figure 4-8A. Beginning the more comely Chain rope, then tie an overhand knot with two opposite
Splice for three-strand. Unlay the strands about 2 ⁄2 bundles, left over right. There should be just enough
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feet and pass two of them through the end link, pull- space between the strands for the Overhand Knot to
ing them through until you reach the junction of the fill (Figure 4-8C). A simpler, slightly bulkier option
third strand. Now begin unlaying the third strand, is to knot the whole strands together (not shown).
leaving a vacant groove to be filled with the nearer of Note: the bulky option is as strong as the compact
the two other strands (arrow).. version, and is simpler to make.
With either method, the next step is to tuck the
knotted ends against the lay, over one and under
one, four or five times. If you split the strands,
just leave the unknotted ends hanging out. Figure
4-8D shows the left-hand end already tucked and
the right-hand end being tucked. (The splicing tool
shown is the remarkable Fid-O Awl, a tool no longer
available, but which inspired my own Point Hudson
Phid (see Supplies).

Figure 4-8C. Cut off all but 6 to 8 inches of the laid-
out strand. An optional step: divide it into two equal
bundles. Divide the final 6 to 8 inches of the “in”
strand similarly. Overhand-Knot two opposing bun-
dles, left over right. The knot should just fill the space
between the strands.

Figure 4-8B. Continue “laying out and in” until 6 to
8 inches of the “in” strand remain. As you go, give the
“in” strand a firm twist and pull at each turn to make
it lie fair. It should be indistinguishable from the other
two strands.

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