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How to Splice Synthetic Rope

Ropes -- lengths of fibers twisted together for strength -- come in a wide variety of material options. While some ropes are made from natural fibers, synthetic ropes have become widely popular due to their resilience and strength. Splicing synthetic rope can present a significant challenge because the fibers can be extremely slippery. A three-strand eye splice, sometimes called a tuck splice, can be used as an effective method to join two ends of synthetic rope together, securely and simply, in just a few steps by using a conical shaped tool called a fid.

Things You'll Need

Ruler or measuring tape
Marker
Duct tape
Fid

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the rope flat. Measure out a length of rope twice the length of the eye, or loop, you wish to create with the splice, leaving at least 8 to 10 inches of tail on the end of the rope. Mark each spot with a marker.
- 2
  Fold the rope in half and tape it securely at the base of the loop, leaving the tail free. Then tightly tape it to a flat surface, again at the base of the loop.
- 3
  Untwist the three strands of the tail. Pull the top strand of the tail over the rope. Feed the middle tail strand into the fid and thread it through a strand of the intact rope below the tape, pushing it through and pulling to secure it.
- 4
  Push the bottom tail strand through the fid and thread it through the rope's next strand down from the where you inserted the first tail strand.
- 5
  Remove the tape and flip the piece over. Insert the final tail strand into the fid and push it through the next rope strand, working from right to left with the loop on your right.
- 6
  Flip the rope over and repeat the process at least four more times to create a strong splice. Taping the loop to the table shouldn't be necessary after the first three strands of the tail are tucked into the rope.

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