Splicing your own ropes?

[mikedrums69]

Hello everyone,

I'm keen to learn how to splice my own ropes, friction cords, etc. I’ve done a few locking Brummells recently but only on my throwlines, accessory cords. Stuff which is not life support, which I followed some instructions from YouTube.

It’s my understanding that there’s different splices for different constructions of rope and that some ropes require some alterations? 
What’s peoples recommendations on what splices to try?

wheres the best instructions? 
I’m particularly keen on splicing OP for my hitches. Where would be best place to get a batch break tested before I started using them? 
cheers for the help. 
Mike

[Brocky]

Usually best to follow the rope or cord manufacturer’s splicing instructions to know you’re doing the splices correctly.

[Rich Rule]

Samson have a great App for iPhone which has instruction and links to videos for most rope types.

 

As for splicing OP.  I wouldn’t bother IME.  The throat of the splice makes the bottom too stiff and effects the way the hitch works.  I did used to like a short VT though, a longer hitch may react differently.

 

Tommy B would be a good place to start.

[Mark Bolam]

I totally agree with Rich about splices affecting the function of the hitch, but have just experimented with a factory spliced OP on non-CE cougar blue with a short Fitch hitch and it’s running beautifully.

Glides up the rope and locks instantly.

This is in the workshop, mind.

I will probably plummet to my death tomorrow.

 

@TommyB is definitely the man for splicing advice.

[Mark Bolam]

There’s an extra wrap in the Fitch hitch there, 5 instead of 4.

[Brocky]

The VT’s functionality is very dependent on the length of the legs, a work around for the longer legs is to bind them together, the closer to the wraps the more reliable the grabbing.

Mark, that hitch cord looks to be sewn not spliced.  Any idea who came up with the Fitch Hitch?

[Mark Bolam]

You’re right Brocky, it is sewn, probably why it works so well! My bad.

I’d stick with double fisherman’s for terminations for hitches then, although they can be a bit chunky.

Think Fitch is some American climber dude, I’ll get a link from FB.

[Mark Bolam]

https://www.facebook.com/100002232644050/posts/3648136595270726/?d=w

[Mark Bolam]

Patrick Fitch.

Pretty sure the link will only work if you have FB.

[Brocky]

Thanks, here are a few more hitches  that are similar.

And a different way of tying a 4-2 VT, no preformed eyes, just a piece of cord with a stopper knot at the end.