Learning to Splice

[Mangoes]

Buy the wand. I have 3 worth every penny

 

[Colin]

Three! You must be a fast splicer!

 

[Mangoes]

Really slow actually don't you have to use at least 2......like knitting needles?

 

[rich_h]

While I am huge fan of the Toss Wands (I have 3 as well) I found that using a home made wire fid is the best for splicing Velocity and Blaze. The much smaller diameter of the wire takes up less room in the crossover and the foot loop built in to the fid really helps with completing the crossover. This is the same tool I use when splicing Fly. I find the Toss wands nearly useless on that one.

 

[Mark Chisholm]

I don't splice, but it looks like a great tool.

 

[Cozmo]

I like my electric fence wire and I just don't want to drop that much on the wand even thou it does look a little easier to do with it.

 

[Norm_Hall]

Very clever Rich. Is that piano wire?

 

[rich_h]

First of all I want to point out that the home made fid is not somehthing that I personally came up with. It was shown to me by my friend/splicing mentor Max Underwood. My guess is that the design has been around for a long time.

And yes Norm it is piano wire, but you can get it at most any hobby shop listed as "music wire". There are many guages to choose from, the one in the picture is .039
It is incredibly cheap to purchase and lasts for quite a long time. I have also used that fid for doing used climbing lines (16 strand) because again the foot loop really helps with pulling the crossover.

 

[Mangoes]

Here's an interesting question, anyone familiar with different splicing tools/techniques, had their splices tested? Was a relationship observed?

 

[rich_h]

I don't think the actual tools involved would alter the results of the splice too much, unless you picked a strand with your wand/fid or caught something during your crossovers. As long as you are paying close attention you should be able to avoid these problems no matter what tool you are using.

Now if your measurements are wrong........and if your taper is out of whack.......those are going to affect the strength of your splice.

As far as testing goes I will let you know soon. I am about to submit splices for testing/certification to every major cordage supplier (and a few lesser ones). I will let you know how is goes.

 

[NickfromWI]

Few manufacturers will "certify" splices. Several will break them for you, however. Look into the Yale SPLICER program.

I agree whole heartedly with Rich on the "tools don't matter" thing. It's all about craftsmanship. I know I can make equal splices with a Wand or a coathanger. Just keep it neat.

love
nick