Hi all,
A few odd assumptions out there. First, as Norm notes, the lockstitch does nothing to improve strength, only security, and even then only at low loads. But the crossover does improve strength, or rather it helps prevent loss of strength, by (mostly) eliminating the stress riser where the rope would otherwise change diameter.
Yes, there are lots of splices out there that have no overlap between the core and the buried cover tails, and yes, these are unlikely to break in use. But this bypasses the reason that the splice developed as it did: with a proper overlap, you get an optimal splice. The trouble is that the best splices, in any construction, tend to be the hardest to do. So people start taking shortcuts, like skipping the overlap, and then justifying their action with rationales like, "The overlap actually weakens the rope", or, "It's a barely noticeable taper." This kind of thinking has gotten people killed with shortcuts in splices in standard double-braid. "I haven't heard of one failing" is not the kind of reassurance I'd like to have for something like this.
Increasingly, the mantra in our shop is, "Everyone's entitled to their opinions; no one is entitled to their facts." It is entirely possible that some form of limited- or non-overlap 16-strand splice is utterly strong and secure, as well as easier than the current model.But until that is proven, I suggest that we remember that splicing is an art, and therefore requires practice. Shortcuts erode.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
