The Art Of Splicing

The 'Dark Art' of rope work is a mystery to many sailors and water sport enthusiasts - help is at hand from the technical team at Marlow Ropes who can take you through everything step by step.

The VR Support Crew were taken through their steps by them too and there is no better partner to explain the 'Dark Arts' - it's simple when you know how and very satisfying when you finish your first Brummel splice or tapered sheet!

Why do we only retail Marlow Ropes? Simple - from our experience and customer feedback, everything they design and manufacturer is the best for splicing, tapering or even just a soft shackle. Big or small boat - Marlow Ropes make it.

So what is splicing?

A splice is a way of terminating a rope or joining two ends of rope together without using a knot. Apart from being bulky and unsightly, even a correctly tied knot can cause significant loss of strength to a rope. 

What you need to splice - tools of the 'Rigger'?

At the VR Super Store we recommend both Marlow Ropes and D-Splicer equipment - both designed for the job and great investment for years of splicing. Check out the full range of equipment HERE. 

Swedish fids are used primarily for 3 strand and multiplait splicing. They also aid Marlowbraid and D2 Racing splices.

Braid on Braid Fid Set – Selma fids are used primarily for doublebraid, D12 and D2 splices, but can also be used to aid 3 strand and marlowbraid splices.

Splicing Needles – Large and small used for Marlowbraid, D2 Racing. Can also be used for the doublebraid splice.

D-Splicer Set and Fixed Needles – Used primarily for Excel Control and Excel D12 2.5 and 3mm.

Other tools and equipment - Sharp knife and/or scissors, tape measure, permanent marker pen, splicing (or insulation type) tape, strong point on your work bench, hot knife or flame for sealing the rope.

Splices VS Knots

Splices: Most Marlow ropes can be spliced, this is normally the preferred method of termination. A good splice using the recommended method should not reduce the strength of a rope by more than 10%.

Knots: A knot will reduce the strength of the rope, sometimes very significantly. This loss is caused by the tight bends and compression found in any knot. The amount a rope will be weakened will depend on the knot, type of rope and the material from which it is made but can be up to 60%

Eye Sizes: Wherever possible the angle formed at the throat of a splice when it is loaded should be 30 degrees or less. This means that the length of the eye when flat must be at least 2.7 times the diameter of the object over which the eye is to be used and the distance from the bearing point to the throat when in use should be at least 2.4 times the diameter. Some materials like Aramids and HMPEs (Dyneema) will require a larger eye with an angle at the throat of 15 degrees or less.

Marlow Ropes Splicing Tutorials

Doublebraid Splice

Marlowbraid Splice

3 Strand Eye Splice

Endless Doublebraid Splice

The Brummel Lock

Excel Control Line Continuous Loop

Excel Fusion Tapered Sheet

Asymmetric Spinnaker Sheet Take Off

Kiteline Splice with Connor Bainbridge

D2 Covered Eye Splice

D12 Dyneema Soft Shackle

D12 Dyneema Locking Eye Splice - One End Free

D12 Dyneema Locking Eye Splice - Both Ends Free

Excel R8 Taper Splice

Splicing Marlow Taper