Splicing is an effective way to make an eye or loop at the end of your rope. The eye splice created is very strong and durable. Unlike most knots, it won’t come undone. And as long as the rope isn’t too thick or thin, the process of splicing is pretty quick and easy – even for an inexperienced hand!

If you don’t fancy having a go yourself, it’s possible to order an eye splice in any of the 3-strand ropes available at RopesDirect via our website. Once you’ve chosen your rope, just go to ‘Rope End Finishes’ and select the type of eye splice that you require. Our in-house experts will then weave the loop for you before the rope is dispatched.

But for the DIY enthusiasts, here we’ve created a detailed step-by-step guide to show you how it’s done. Take a look through and be sure to watch our new tutorial video on splicing. Before you know it, you’ll be splicing rope like a pro.

 

 

3 steps to splice a rope

Step 1: Unravel the rope

First things first, you will need to unravel enough rope to create the desired soft eye splice and ‘tuck’ each strand about five times. The length of rope that you’ll need to unravel depends on the diameter of the rope you’re using – and should be around three times the diameter per tuck. So for a 20mm rope that requires five tucks, we recommend unravelling approximately 300mm (30cm) of rope.

Secure the rope at this length using tape and create the shape of a loop.

 

Step 2: Weave the first three tucks

You’re now ready to start splicing the rope.

Position the unravelled end on top of the standing part and point it away from you. Lift a strand on the standing part – where you wish the eye splice to close – and pass the centre strand underneath this. Pull taut, without distorting the lay.

Next, pick up the left-hand strand and tuck this underneath the strand (on the standing part) to the left. Then take the right-hand strand and pass this underneath the strand (on the standing part) to the right. This may sound a little confusing. But once you get started, it should become much clearer. And to avoid getting mixed up, keep in mind that each strand should be tucked in the same direction – from right to left.

Some ropes, such as synthetic hemp, are easy to splice by hand. But for those which are tightly laid or have a large diameter, it can be difficult to tuck the loose strands under the standing part. In these cases, you have two options.

One method is to wrap each end in masking tape. This will create a short spike to help you push through. It’s also possible (and usually much easier!) to use a specialist tool called a fid. These are available to buy at RopesDirect and create a gap in the standing part, allowing you to pass the strand through much easier.

 

Step 3: Finish the weave

Once all three strands have been tucked for the first time, you can continue to weave or braid them through the body of the rope. Take off the tape and make sure all three strands are tight before you begin. Pick up the centre strand and pass this under the strand, two above the one it is currently under. Turn the rope clockwise by about a third, and repeat this process with the left-hand strand. Turn again, and repeat it with the right-hand strand – and so on.

Continue to work your way around – keeping the strands as taut as possible – until each strand has been tucked five times. Try to ensure the weave is as uniform as possible. To finish, you can cut off any loose end – if the rope is synthetic you can also heat seal the ends as you cut or afterwards.

Create your first eye splice today

Whilst we’re more than happy to splice a rope for you, it’s certainly cheaper to do it yourself. And with a little practice, it’s a fairly easy technique to master.

So why not purchase some rope, invest in a fid and give it go? And once you’ve successfully created your first soft eye splice, be sure to send us some photographs. We’d love to see your handiwork and we’ll post the most impressive on social media, for other customers to see just how easy it is.