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.