The whip

[Boomslang]

Was going through the "Show off them splices" thread and noticed a fair amount of ambiguity in where people place the whipping on their splices. Some (myself included) put it very close to the throat while others place it a few inches farther down. Other than the obvious reason of the needle going through easier the farther from the throat are there any advantages/disadvantages to where the whip is placed?

 

[Worthaug]

Was going through the "Show off them splices" thread and noticed a fair amount of ambiguity in where people place the whipping on their splices. Some (myself included) put it very close to the throat while others place it a few inches farther down. Other than the obvious reason of the needle going through easier the farther from the throat are there any advantages/disadvantages to where the whip is placed?

While putting the lock whip close to the throat captures more of the layered fibers (and for eye and eyes used for hitch cords keeps the whip from the friction heat), locking the splice further away makes it easier to pass the needle and does the job. A lock stitch is NOT neccesary for any splice under load (especially a eye to eye with a balanced core and cover) it is added so by that a splice does not creep when stored (no load). So, put it wherever you want [emoji615]

 

[RajElectric]

On 16 strand rope I'll count 16 chevrons and lockstitch there, double braid with a full fid tapered bury, further down, usually it's pretty tight and tough to whip close to the splice. I'll always load up the eye before whipping.

 

[Boomslang]

While putting the lock whip close to the throat captures more of the layered fibers (and for eye and eyes used for hitch cords keeps the whip from the friction heat), locking the splice further away makes it easier to pass the needle and does the job. A lock stitch is NOT neccesary for any splice under load (especially a eye to eye with a balanced core and cover) it is added so by that a splice does not creep when stored (no load). So, put it wherever you want [emoji615]

I had a feeling it was that simple, but just had to ask. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment putting my lockstitch right at the throat, but I find it's a cleaner look.

 

[NE Tree]

I was just wondering this same thing earlier. I just checked yale's whiplock instructions and it says to start 3 strands from the crotch of the splice. This is not easy to run the needle through the line if you're doing doublebraids or kernmaster especially. I assume other manufacturer instructions are different but I like yale's so I stick with it.

 

[JontreeHI]

Possibly this is imagined but I think I remember reading 3 inches. I did an eye in a rope last week, and a Co worker asked me ' why is the stitch do far away?'
Uhhhhhhhhhh

 

[macswan]

Possibly this is imagined but I think I remember reading 3 inches. I did an eye in a rope last week, and a Co worker asked me ' why is the stitch do far away?'
Uhhhhhhhhhh

Cuz yer mom that's why!

 

[macswan]

That's my answer for everything

 

[JontreeHI]

Haha mine is uhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[roxy]

Yale's instructions do suggest starting three strands from the crotch of the splice and working away from for the whip, but then in the photo it's really about five. I start further down on db as others have said because it's ridiculously tough to get through with the needle. I do keep the distances equal, however, if I'm doing an e2e or r&r so it looks deliberate and neat.

 

[Shawn]

I go 1.5 inch down from the throat, just out of habit now. If its too tight there, it gets some hammer time from the rubber mallet to help seat all the fivers better so I can bury the needle.

I remember someone getting into it with me in 09 at the Baltimore TCI show while I was splicing at Knot and Ropes booth, we went back and forth for probably a half hour on it. Personally, Im in agreement with warthaug above, the whip is there for security when UNLOADED. The tension of the jacket when loaded will hold it then, whip is just a pair of suspenders while already wearing a belt. I like to try to get my whip over the crossover in a double braid, but in 16 strand it doesn't really matter, just close enough to throat that your not getting into the reduced core area (internal taper). You wanna grab as much fiber under the whip as possible, IMHO.

 

[JTree]

On 16 strand rope I'll count 16 chevrons and lockstitch there, double braid with a full fid tapered bury, further down, usually it's pretty tight and tough to whip close to the splice. I'll always load up the eye before whipping.

I've never lock stitched a 16 strand splice. The final step of the samson instructions say that whipping is optional and lock stitching isn't mentioned at all.

When I do 16 strand splices, I bury in 3 stages. First bury gets all the untappered stuff seated. Second bury gets the tail through to about 1 inch before the crossover portion of the splice. Third bury I use mechanical advantage to get past that stupid tight area. I leave the mechanical advantage system set up so that once I get everything tapered and smoothed out, I can hook up the MA one more time to load the eye to whip it.....whip it real good.

 

[JTree]

On double braid, I usually go about 1.5 inches down and do the yale lock whip. Looks nice, and I don't see any advantage to going closer to the eye.

IDK.....I'm no professional. Been hanging on my own splices for a long time now and have never seen a single creep, but that doesn't mean my splices would break at the same strength pro splices would. One of these days I'll get around to sending some stuff in, but today isn't the day.