Dockline eyes?

[Smitty519]

I'm making some new docklines from 1/2" Samson Pro Set (3 strand nylon). In his book and on his DVD Brion talks about finishing the splice with a palm and needle whipping. What part of the splice should be whipped and how long should the whipping be? What is the purpose of the whipping? Is it chafe protection, locking the splice or just to make it look better? I've noticed that the commercially prepared docklines (at least from Samson) just leave the splice bare, and trim the strands fairly flush.

-Smitty.

[csandys]

I only whip braided splices. I leave 3 strand as is when done.

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
There are lots of ways to finish 3-strand splices, beginning with cutting the ends about 1 rope diameter proud and just letting them be. This occasionally results in a lost tuck or two over time, even if the ends are fused (more on this in a moment), so at the very least we'll put a couple of extremely tight double Constrictors on to secure the ends, then cut the ends off flush. We roll the splice first, so there's no slack, so there'll be no load acting to pull the ends out.
A proper whipping is an even better/handsomer way to do the same thing, though it is definitely more skill-intensive. Still you dock lines might as well be beautiful. The fused-end route is unfortunately the most common finish. It is uglier than two pigs stuck under a mud fence, it requires generating toxic fumes, it often leaves sharp edges in the melted plastic, and you run the risk of damaging the standing part if the flame wanders even a bit.
You can also put a whipping on at the point you unlay the tails to, instead of making a double Constrictor.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Brian Duff]

whippings are generally 'square' or as long as they are wide

i.e. a whipping around 1/2" diameter line will be 1/2" long. a whipping on the eye splice throat of 1/2" line might be 3/4"" diameter and such will be 3/4" long, get it?