Page 215 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Short Splice

This splice joins together in a very
strong and permanent fashion two
ends of rope of the same size. The

bringing together of the two sets of
strands so that they fit snugly together

is called marrying the rope.
To start with, a temporary seizing
can be of help, especially with some of

the nylon and polyester ropes that
have a tendency to unlay very easily

and quickly. Remove the seizings
when the first set of tucks both ways

have been made. Make the tucks in
sets—first one side, then the other,
until five full sets of tucks in each

direction have been made. Three full
sets of tucks would be enough if the

rope were made from a natural fiber.
The best splices are tapered to a

finish. A well-made short splice is very
strong but it does increase the
thickness of the rope.

1 Unlay both pieces of rope and interlace
the strands so that they alternate one
from each side of the splice. This is

called marrying the rope.
2 A temporary seizing, perhaps a
constrictor knot, will help to keep the two

ropes together for the first series of tucks.
3 Take one strand on one side and tuck
against the lay over the strand next to it

and then under the next strand.

213