Page 57 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

Repeat with the second rope.

To taper the coats, work with each separately. From the R, toward the working
end, count off seven sets of picks, or parallel ribs, that run clockwise and mark
this spot with a T. Continue to work toward the end, placing a dot at every other
clockwise pick until five have been marked, so you will know where to cut.
Beginning again at the T, mark every other counterclockwise pick.

Cut and remove the marked strands between the T and the working end.
Untape the end while pulling the strand loose. Repeat with the second rope.

Pinch the taped end of either coat and insert it into the hollow end of the fid;
tape it in place. Push the fid into the core of the other rope at two hash marks and
out at three hash marks, being careful not to twist the coat. While holding the
core, pull until the T is aligned with the two hash marks. Some bunching of the
core will occur, but this will resolve itself later.

Repeat this procedure with the second rope.
Each core must now be reinserted into the coat that runs through its center.
Tape the pinched end of either core into the hollow fid end and insert the fid at
the T. Work it through the coat and exit at the X. Repeat with the other rope.