Splicing and Whipping

1
Splicing and Whipping

• Robert W. Brey
• Roundtable Staff

2
Rope work

• Back Splice
• Eye splice
• Short Splice
• Whipping

3
Back splice

• Un-lay 3 to 4 inches of the rope
• Identify the three strands as A, B, and C
• Lay strand A back on the standing part

4
Back Splice

• Wrap B around the loop formed by A

5
Back Splice

• Bring strand C through loop A

6
Back Splice

• Tighten all strands, pulling one against the
  other.

7
Back Splice

• Tuck strand C over one strand and under the next.

8
Back Splice

• Continue with strand B, then A. Complete sequence
  C, B, A a total of four times
• To make the splice thinner, trim one third of
  each strand after the second tuck.

9
Eye splice

• Determine size of the eye that you want
• Add 3 inches to size of eye
• Apply whipping 3 inches from end of rope
• Unlay 3 inches of rope

10
Eye Splice

• Untwist rope where you want the eye to finish
• Identify A, B, and C on unlayed rope

11
Eye Splice

• Tuck strand B through one strand on the standing
  part

12
Eye Splice

• Tuck strand A under the next strand on the
  standing part

13
Eye Splice

• To complete the splice, turn it over

14
Eye Splice

• Tuck strand C under the next strand

15
Eye Splice

• Turn rope back to original position and repeat
  steps 2 - 5.
• To make the spliced part thinner, trim one third
  of each strand as it is tucked the third and
  fourth times.

16
Short Splice

• A short splice can be used in place of a knot to
  join two ropes or the two ends of the same rope
  together.
• If two ropes are being joined with a short
  splice, they should be the same type of rope and
  have the same diameter.

17
Short Splice

• Unlay the ropes, intertwine the strands and tie a
  temporary whipping to hold the ropes together.

18
Short Splice

• Identify the parts of the splice as A, B, C and
  1, and 2.

19
Short Splice
Take strand A of the left rope and take it over
strand 1 on the right rope and tuck it under
strand 2.
20
Short Splice
Roll rope towards you and take strand B over
strand 2 and under strand 3.
21
Short Splice
Roll the rope toward you again and tuck strand C
over strand 3 and under the next strand.
22
Short Splice
Continue rolling the rope toward you and tucking
the appropriate strand. Tuck three times with
each strand. To make the splice thinner, trim one
third of each strand as you tuck.
23
Short Splice
Remove temporary whipping and do the same tuck
and roll working to the left. Complete three
tucks with each strand.
24
Whipping

• West Country Whipping
• From an area in Bristol, England, consists of a
  series of overhand knots alternating on each side
  of the rope to be whipped. Make the whipping as
  long as the diameter of the rope. Finish with a
  square knot and trim the excess ends.

25
Whipping

• Sailmakers whipping
• Unlay the three strands of the rope about 1 inch.
  Use 16 inches of whipping cord and form an open
  bight about 3 inches in length. Slip the bight
  over one strand of the rope and then relay the
  rope.

26
Whipping

• Re-lay the strands of the rope to the original
  twist. Wrap the cord clockwise, moving towards
  the end of the rope approximately six turns.

27
Whipping

• Complete whipping by bringing the bight over the
  same strand it was originally looped over. Pull
  the short end of the whipping cord until the
  bight is pulled tight.

28
Whipping

• Finally bring the two ends of the whipping cord
  up to the end of the rope and between two strands
  of the rope. Tie a tight square knot between the
  strands of the rope and cut off excess.

29
Splices and Whipping 2002

• Pictures and text adapted from Pioneering merit
  badge pamphlet,
• 1995 printing of 1993 version, Boy Scouts of
  America