Eye Splice - Lock Stitch

 12-Strand Single Braid Eye Splice Lock Stitch

Machovec is proud to bring you these rope splicing instructions. Eye splicing a rope is one of the most asked for procedures. Having a permanently fixed loop (eye splice) on a rope end removes the need to tie and then untie a knot each time you wish to use it. Rope splicing is a very strong method of fixing a loop eye; as the rope is pulled tighter so the spliced strands become more and more squeezed and locked into place. Rope splicing removes the worry of a knot becoming undone and a spliced eye is less bulky. You can buy 3-strand, 8-strand or 12-strand rope with an eye already spliced in or you you can make your own by following these instructions for eye splicing a rope.

STEP 1

Mark rope in 2-1/2 full fid lengths from the bitter end. Mark this "A". Form the desired eye size and place a mark opposite "A", mark this "B". Measure 1 long fid section further. This is mark "C". Continue down the rope an additional 2-1/2 fid lengths. Mark this "D". (Figure 1)

STEP 2

To mark the tuck points in the area between points "B" and "C" mark the 3rd, 6th, and 9th pics . Open up "B" with a fid tool and pass the bitter end and tail through the rope completely. Pull the tail through until "A" and "B" align. Make subsequent tucks in the same manner between the 3rd and 4th, 6th and 7th strands (Figure 2)

STEP 3

Pull the tucks tight as you go. After the last tuck above attach your splicing tool to the tail and insert it between the 9th and 10th strand exiting the rope at mark "D". Remove the tool and the tape wrap from the tail end.

STEP 4

Work from the bitter end toward mark "A", count three consecutive strand pairs and mark, count another five consecutive strand pairs and mark the fifth pair. Continue counting and marking the fifth consecutive strand pair until a total of five strand pairs have been marked. Cut and remove these strands back to bitter end and re-tape the bitter end. After taper is complete, hold rope at the neck of the splice and smooth cover until taper disappears.

(Note: The rope may be too tight to bury before tapering, if so perform step 4 before steps 2 & 3.)