How to Splice the Ends of a Rope
When a rope breaks into two pieces it will need to be replaced as any repairs will not be as strong. Sometimes temporary repairs will need to be done until some new rope can be acquired, for example at sea when the rope will have to survive until the boat is next in port. This kind of repair is called splicing and involves the weaving of two ends of rope together.
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Instructions
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Separate the individual strands of both ends of the rope and unravel it five turns. Most ropes have three main strands running all the way through them. This should leave six separate strands, three from each end of the broken rope.
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Seal the ends of rope so they do not fray. If it is synthetic rope melt the ends with a cigarette lighter. For natural rope, attach some electrical tape to the ends.
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Tie the strands together with a basic overhand knot. Take the top stand of one rope, called A1, and knot it with the bottom strand of the other end, called B1. Tie A2 to B2, the middle strands, and A3 to B3, the last remaining parts of rope.
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Tighten the knot in the middle so the two ends are secured together and there are three strands of rope going in each direction.
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Attach the strands from rope A to rope B. Weave A1 under B1 using the marlin spike to make a gap between the rope strands. Then weave A1 over B2 and under B3 so it is now part of the rope.
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Repeat the last step with A2 weaving under B2, over B3 and under B1. Then complete the A rope splice by weaving A3 under B3, over B1 and under B2.
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Weave the B rope strands into the A rope using the same method.
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Tidy up the spice by cutting off loose ends of rope and by rolling the rope underfoot to remove the lumps.
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References
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