Page 76 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

FIVE
Solid-Braid Splice

This interesting splice proves that it’s possible to put an eye at the end of any

rope, no matter the construction.
Until World War II, rope always consisted of combed plant fibers that were
twisted by stages into three strands, which in turn were twisted into a single
length of rope. But then rope manufacturers found that braiding rather than
twisting the strands created a smoother rope that was less prone to chafe and
wear. The first such ropes were window-sash cords, from which came all sorts of
single-braid cordage (also known as solid-braid because it is of uniform cross-
sectional construction, without a core or hollow center).

Single-braid was soon supplanted for most purposes by today’s incomparable
double-braid ropes, in which an equally tensioned cover and core offer great
strength and ease of splicing. We still see nylon or polyester single-braid in use
for clotheslines and other light-duty tasks, however.

I learned the solid-braid splice by way of a bet. Shortly after the first edition
of this book was published, Ron Denise from South Carolina visited my shop.
His specialty is providing ropes, slings, and harnesses for arborists. He stayed a
week, opening my eyes to a whole different world of rigging. One day, with a
wicked gleam in his eye, he said, “I can splice any rope you give me.” I dug
around and found a length of hard-used ¼-inch (6 mm) clothesline and handed it
to him, saying, “We all know it’s impossible to splice hard-used rope, and this
small-diameter single-braid should make it even more interesting. Good luck!”
Then I watched while he set in a solid-braid splice. Ron called it a helical splice
—I suppose because the weave twists around and down the rope barber-pole
fashion.

I’ve since seen these splices used to set in the eyes of the puller ropes used by
utility companies, and in lengths of rubbercoated ropes used in some places in
fishing nets and gear. On pleasure boats, I’ve seen this splice set in flag halyards.
If the rope you’re splicing is to be used under severe conditions, such as high
loads or rough handling, contact the rope manufacturer for its latest splicing
instructions and recommendations.