Sliding Splice

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Uses: The Sliding Splice provides a neat method of creating an adjustable yachtsman's belt. The belt is constructed using an Eye Splice at one end and a sliding splice at the other end. A snap shackle fastens the two ends. Additional clips and shackles can be added to attach knife lanyards etc.

Tying it: The adjustable splice is made in three stranded rope. Both ends are secured: a whipping looks best on the end where the sliding splice is made; temporary taping suffices on the other end while the splice is being made; the eye splice is added later.

Six alternating strands are opened up using pencils or pieces of doweling rod. Each rod is rotated until a loop is formed to the side of the rope. The short rods are then replaced with one longer rod. This enables the rope to be worked until the loops are all symmetrical and the rope is restored to its normal shape. The long rod is then taped to the end of the rope so that as the rod is withdrawn, the rope takes its place. Further working and stretching makes the splice grip the rope.

History: I first described the sliding splice in a British yachting magazine around 1960. My files no longer record which journal or which issue. About twenty years after publishing the description, a woman noticed my belt and said: "you must have read the same article that I did!" So, at least one person that I met read the article. The original belt is still in good condition 46 years later, as are the original photographs which were submitted for publication (picture on right).

Other Uses: One of the reasons for describing this splice was to discover other uses for it. After six months of displaying it, I finally found one. Charlie Pfeiffer wrote: "I used the sliding splice when pulling wire as an electrician. It is an easy way to quickly put a loop on the end of a piece of rope without creating a big knot that would make pulling difficult." Thank you Charlie.