Invisible Lock Stitch

[MattyD]

Hey Guys, Can I get your tips/tricks on this. Maybe a usefull diagram or a video(not holding my breath). Would be nice for the Splicing archives as well.
Much obliged

 

[SingleJack]

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Courtesy of Nick Araya >> TreeBuzz link

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[NickfromWI]

Singlejack- you just rocked my day. I don't even remember making those directions!!!

Thank for posting it, though. You da man!

love
nick

 

[ficus]

Re: Invisible Lock Stitch- impossible??

Hi Guys,
Having trouble with this too
See the photo- I broke the eye of two needles on the first eye, using Brions method on invisible lock stitch and pulling the needle thru with pliers.
Got to finish the last eye but don't want to break anymore needles. any tips
note- I feel committed to Brions method on this one but I could abort and use nicks if its recomended..

 

[Tony]

Re: Invisible Lock Stitch- impossible??

Thin the thread down by pulling out some fiber, then use a smaller needle.

I do not know your level of experience, but as you get more proficient in the DB splice, it becomes less "tight" as a whole and a bit easier to get the needle through.

Tony

 

[NickfromWI]

Re: Invisible Lock Stitch- impossible??

I typically don't use Brion's method of using a pulled strand to lock stitch the rope. Most (not all) but most of the yacht/sail rope has very fine cover strands. Arb ropes tend to have thicker strands and harder (by firmness, not difficulty) splices.

When I splice OP, I ignore the pulled strand, splice as normal. Then start the lock stitching with a normal piece of whipping twine and I start from the BOTTOM of the splice and work my way up to the eye. When the needle stops wanting to go through I can just stop right there and everything will be alright.

In my opinion, and I wish this was the official ruling, but in my opinion, OP does not need to be lock stitched (nor does yale blaze, poison ivy, tachyon, velocity and a few others). The lock stitching doesn't keep the splice together under load. The splice does that on its own. The lock stitch keeps the splice together when it ISN'T under load, while it's in your gear bag or getting thrown around the truck. The finished splices of these ropes are so firm when done that there is no way the eye will just pop out.

I still stitch them because the rules say to do so. But a man can dream, can't he?

love
nick