Page 446 - The Ashley Book of Knots

LONG AND SHORT SPLICES (MULTI-STRAND BENDS)

2687. A "SNAKEHEAD" or "TELESCOPE" SPLICE for banding or tub-

ing. There is a special tool called a btmding splicer made for this par-

ticular splice which is a variety of wire 100 , but a sail needle will

serve as well or better. All round commercia y braided cord is tubu-

lar and this splice is used with most sorts except sash cord. Take a

sail needle and work it carefully along the interior of the banding.

Start about six inches from the end and, pointing the eye end of

the needle toward the end, bring it to the surface four inches from

the end. To do this, work the material back over the eye end of the

needle and, when the proper spot is reached, work or force the eye 2687

end out through the side to the surface at a spot about four inches

distant from the end. Next reeve the tip of the other piece of band-

ing through the end of the needle, scraping it to a point if necessary,

and draw the second piece of banding lengthwise through the first

and out at the spot where the needle was first entered. Smooth the

banding carefully where it is doubled and leave six inches of the

second end protruding. Stick the eye of the needle into the second

end two inches behind the spot where the second end enters the first

end, and bring it out beside the spot where the first end protrudes.

Reeve the first end through the eye and withdraw the needle

through the banding. Draw the two doubled parts together and

smooth out the splice, stretch it and cut the ends off flush. If the

banding is hard and has a core or heart, the hearts or cores must be

pulled out at the end and cut off for a length of six inches before

starting the splice.

2688. The ROPE YARN KNOT or MARLINE BEND (I) is crotched as

a splice but is tied as a knot. Split the ends of two rope yarns, crotch

them and leave two of the halves inert while the other two opposite

halves are knotted as pictured. This knot Bulks three times the size

of the rope yarn where a REEF KNOT bulks four times the size. It 2688

may be tied in any one- or two-strand material.

2689. ROPE YARN KNOT or MARLINE BEND (:z). This bulks the same

size as the previous knot and is perhaps more secure. Neither of the

knots is particularly strong, but they are usually employed in serving

and for such purposes have been found adequate.

2690. Occasionally three-thread marline is found and it may be

bent together in this manner, two yarns from each end being

knotted. But, if there is time, a splice is preferable in every way, as

it will bulk only twice the size of the material and is stronger.

2691. A TUCKED MARLINE BEND. This is a recent way of joining

marline for serving and it bulks less than a ROPE YARN KNOT. The

ends are overlapped for several inches and each end is stuck twice

through the standing part of the other end. The strands are generally

opened with a pricker and the splice must be well rubbed down with

the fin ers or rolled under the foot before being put to use. The

ends 0 the marline should be carefully buried under the turns of

the service. The splice will lie flat and be almost indistinguishable.

Nowadays this knot is more popular than the ROPE YARN KNOTS,

being neater and of smaller diameter.