Page 448 - The Ashley Book of Knots

LONG AND SHORT SPLICES (MULTI-STRAND BENDS)

2696. The SAILOR'S BACKHANDED LONG SPLICE. Knot full, then back

(over one, under two) twice, then divide and tuck once more, over

one and under two.

2697. A SAILMAKER'S LONG SPLICE. Layout half of each strand

before half knotting the ends and tuck the parts that were laid out

as shown by the center arrow. A few yarns, the same number each

time, are then cut out on the underside at each tuck. Each end is run

down singly until only two or three yarns are left. These are cut

off short.

2698. If there is plenty of time, and the material is good, a neat 2b97

SAILMAKER'S SPLICE may be made by tapering each strand to half

size at the point of knotting. For the method of tapering iiee ~2643

in this chapter. Lay the ends side by side and knot as shown by the

arrows. Then back the full distance of the taper, cutting out yarns

on the underside at a rate corresponding to the taper that was previ-

ously made. Arrange the lay of the strand after each tuck so that it

corresponds throughout the rope.

2699. A LONG SPLICE for larger material. In hawsers, the strands

are not half knotted for the reason that a HALF KNOT in large ma-

terial is exceedingly difficult to draw up. Opposite strand ends are

placed alongside in the same way as heretofore and then each is

tucked full over the opposing end and under the next strand as indi-

cated by the arrows. It is then halved and tucked over and under

once more.

2700. This splice, which is also recommended for hawsers, is tucked

once full, and then is backed (tucked backhanded) once one half.

It is always better for towing to have the final tuck of any splice a

backhanded one.

2701. A HAWSER SPLICE. The strands are first halved and tucked,

as shown by the arrows, over one and under two. They are then

tucked over one and under two a second time.

All the methods given are in good standing: some of the differ-

ences are slight but others are greater than they may seem at first

glance. The first essential in any of them is good workmanship. In

fact, good workmanship is of more importance than the method.

2.70 l

2702. The SAIL MAKER'S "QUICK" or "CHAIN LIGHTNING" SPLICE

(the latter being the common name). One end only is stuck full, just

once. This splice has been widely used on quick jobs for the mer-

chant service. The knot is on the forward side of the boltrope, next

to the canvas. The ends are seized and cut short. When cross stitched

to the canvas, the splice has been found secure enough for practical

commercial use.

2702

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