arborist learning to eye splice

[Tom Roberts]

I'm considering buying Brion's dvd and wand . Initially I need to make eyes in 3/8 spectra double braid. Would the medium or large wand be better? Would there be a difference in the ease of use between the two sizes? Thanks.

[Essington]

Originally Posted by Tom Roberts

Initially I need to make eyes in 3/8 spectra double braid. Would the medium or large wand be better?

I've not used any of Brion's wands (yet, I've got one on the way), but guessing from using similar tools for splicing single braid spectra kite lines (80# and 150# lines, these things are the diameter of mechanical pencil lead, and I've done hundreds of them), I'd go with the smallest too that will do the job. In the case of your 3/8" rope, that'd be the small wand. The medium wand is for 5/16" to 1/2", so it'd work too, but my guess is that it may be easier to perform the splice with the small one. I'm sure someone who has actually used Brion's wands on regular sized rope will chime in if I have seriously misspoken.

-jason

[ryangossen]

Well, I completed a rather successful eye splice last night, thanks to your advice an encouragement. Then I re-attacked my previous second attempt, and milked the cover that last centimeter. My hands feel like Iíve been foot-locking all week (a non-mechanical method of ascending rope). Judging from another new post about blisters today, this is normal too. I kept thinking I had to be doing something wrong, but no, this is a tricky, tedious practice evolved by millennia of rough handed men driven insane by boredom on long voyages. Anyway, I think Im over the hump now. Im going to make a couple more and Iím ordering Brionís dvd. Thanks again.

[Tom Roberts]

Thanks Jason.

[NickfromWI]

Blisters are NOT normal when splicing. You're fighting the rope too much. Rather than relying on brute force, and sweat...massage the rope more to loosen the fibers...by grabbing the throat of the splice and bending sharply back and forth. Then bury a little more, then massage more.

Let us know how it goes!

love
nick