Whipping/lockstitching DB splices

[Samsquanch]

I initially found an old thread with limited discussion and didn't feel like necro posting to a 6 year old thread.

Looking for people's general thoughts on whipping/lockstitching double braid climbing line splices, specifically nylon/polyester and all polyester cordage.

With all of my splices, I try to get a good amount of cordage in the splice and end up with a very solid construction, which usually means getting a sail needle through the splice anywhere near the splice to capture any of the spliced fibres is pretty much impossible, there's just so much compression in the splice and so I don't whip or lockstitch my DB splices.

From what I've seen on break test videos is that a DB splice will break at the whipping if it's present as if it's creating a stress riser. My understanding is whipping and lockstitching is done to prevent movement of a splice when unloaded, hence why I do it with single braid splices or anything that becomes more "loose" when unloaded.

 

[SeanRuel]

As you say, the break strength isn't the point of whip lock. Its to prevent movement in unloaded state. I think it also distorts more visibly if the splice does creep.

Males me feel better to have one on a splice

 

[SomethingWitty]

I've pulled out a double braid splice. It was intentional, but it is possible.
Samson recommends an ugly lock stitch on theirs, and it probably doesn't have the same stress influence that a pretty little whiplock does... but man, it is ugly.

As a note, my double braid dead eye slings have a simple lock that is a loop of small cordage about a short fid from the eye (right where it becomes possible to get something in two covers and a core without breaking your needle) pulled through and girthed on with a small single action carabinier hanging from it. It still prevents much movement without a heavy, improper pull, and it gives me a way to clip the sling to my saddle or to hang miscellaneous gear from it, like a pretension setup on a porty sling.

 

[Samsquanch]

I've pulled out a double braid splice. It was intentional, but it is possible.
Samson recommends an ugly lock stitch on theirs, and it probably doesn't have the same stress influence that a pretty little whiplock does... but man, it is ugly.

As a note, my double braid dead eye slings have a simple lock that is a loop of small cordage about a short fid from the eye (right where it becomes possible to get something in two covers and a core without breaking your needle) pulled through and girthed on with a small single action carabinier hanging from it. It still prevents much movement without a heavy, improper pull, and it gives me a way to clip the sling to my saddle or to hang miscellaneous gear from it, like a pretension setup on a porty sling.

With anything loose 100% I whiplock it.

 

[SomethingWitty]

I bet I could pull apart velocity that was spliced when it was used. Splices need something to keep them from finding slack over the course of a rope's life, even if they feel solid. You found the slack to run it home.

 

[evo]

I’ll whip at my discretion, some lines yes some no. Most all softer lay lines get whipped or stitched.

 

[RyanCafferky]

On my personal equipment ALL rigging lines, dead eye slings, and tag lines get lock stitched and/or whipped. These lines are most likely looser double braid or hollow braid lines with larger eyes more apt to be pulled out. But for tight eyes on climbing lines or lanyards I don’t waste my time unless it will be in a comp and it will be inspected. The few times I have purposely pulled out a spliced tight eye on 24 strand I had to girth hitch a piece of throwline on one side of the eye and then pull it out with a tremendous amount of force. That alone makes me doubt that a carabiner pulling on the eye (and inherently sucking the splice tighter) could ever dislodge a splice. Watching my splices broken confirms this. Despite this fact, anything I give to others, I lock stitch and/or whip regardless of rope type or construction. And if you are splicing, you probably should lock stitch and or whip it too since that is what all of the rope manufacturers recommend.

 

[SeanRuel]

Doesn't hurt anything, takes a few min to do. If the throat of splice is too stiff, just move the whiplock away from eye until you can get the needle in.