Figure 2-25.—Making the lock stitch

off the remaining tail at this point. Make the cut on a 45-degree angle to prevent a blunt end (see the insert of step 10). With one hand, hold the crossover part (mark T). Smooth the cover section of the eye out firmly and completely from the crossover toward mark X. The reduced-volume core tail should disappear into the cover at 2. Smooth out the core section from the crossover toward mark 3, and the cover taper will disappear into the core. Hold the rope at the slipknot, and with your other hand milk the cover toward the splice, gently at first, then more firmly (see step 11 of fig. 2-24). The cover will slide over mark 3, mark 2, the crossover, T, and R. (It may be necessary to occasionally smooth out the eye during milking to prevent the reduced-volume tail from catching in the throat of the splice.) If bunching occurs at the crossover, preventing full burying, smooth the cover from T to X. Grasp the crossover at T with one hand, and then firmly smooth the cover slack (female side of eye) with the other hand towards the throat (X). Repeat as necessary until bunching disappears. Continue milking until all of the cover slack between the knot and the throat of the eye has been removed. 9. Prior to whipping (see fig. 2-25), it is to your advantage to stitch-lock the splice to prevent no-load opening. You will need approximately one fid length of nylon or polyester whipping twine. The twine should be about the same size as the strands of line you are stitching. Strands cut from the line may be used. To begin the lock stitch, pass the twine (A) through the line as shown in step 1, figure 2-25. Reinsert the twine as in step 2, figure 2-25. (Ensure that all stitching is just snug. DO NOT TIGHTEN.) Continue until you have four complete stitches. After you have four stitches, turn the line 90 degrees and pass the remaining end (B) through the line perpendicular to the original stitches to make four more stitches. The line should now look like step 4, figure 2-25. Now take ends A and B, tie a square knot, and bury the ends in between the cover and the core. You may now whip the line or leave it. You will become more proficient at splicing line each time you do it. Remember to follow each step the manufacturer has laid down in the splicing manual. This must be done for safety reasons. The splices described and the methods for accomplishing them have been tried and proven. They leave no margin for shortcuts. NOTE Before burying the cover under the crossover, you should do the following: Anchor the loop of the slipknot to a stationary object before starting to bury the cover. You can then use both hands and the weight of your body to more easily bury the cover over the core and crossover. Holding the crossover tightly, milk all excess cover from R to X. Flex and loosen the line at the crossover point during the final burying process. Hammering the cover at point X will help loosen the strands. With larger ropes, it is helpful to securely anchor the slipknot; attach a small line to the braided core at the crossover; and mechanically apply tension with either a block and tackle, capstan, come-a-long, or power winch. Tension will reduce the diameter of the core and crossover for easier burying. Figure 2-25.—Making the lock stitch. 2-26