Page 108 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Start by unlaying the rope a sufficient distance they’ll lie fairer and distort the rope less if they’re
for tucking, preferably to a Double Constrictor Knot, untwisted a little, into a ribbon shape, as you work.
which keeps the three strands evenly aligned while Optional finishes:
you work. Bend the end around to form the desired-
size eye and tuck the leftmost strand under, over, 1. Taper the splice by laying out one-third of
and under again, against the lay. Tuck the middle each strand after three sets of tucks (four for
strand under where the first strand went over, then nylon). Make another tuck with the remaining
turn the work over and tuck the third strand under parts, then lay out half of each strand, and tuck
the last remaining uninvolved standing-part strand. again. The laid-out parts should be trapped
It’s right there in the middle. under the tucks.
Fair the entry by pulling each strand snug,
making sure that they all enter against the lay and 2. “Back” the last set of tucks. This means to
come out at the same level; then commence regular tuck them with the lay. Sailmakers use this
under-and-over tucking to finish, as with the Back- method, because it is more compact than
splice. Don’t try to keep the strands round as you go; tucking against the lay. It is also less secure,

Round Eyesplice Entry
The teardrop shape of a regular spliced eye is fine for 2 Select the middle end strand and tuck it under the
thimbled eyes, mooring lines, and most anything else. first two standing-part strands, against the lay.
But it won’t set fair when made tight around yards 3 Turn the eye over. You have one untucked end
or round thimbles. The entry shown here results in a strand, and there’s one standing-part strand
fairer-leading round eye. waiting for it. Pass the end over, from left to
right (with the lay); then tuck back under, from
To make: right to left (against the lay).
1 Set the eye size, then select the end strand that Finish by tucking as for a regular splice: two more
lies closest to the standing part. Tuck it under the full tucks for manila and hemp; three more for spun
nearest standing-part strand once, against the lay Dacron; and four more minimum for nylon and other
(from right to left when the eye is toward you). slick fibers.

3 2
2
3
1
1

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