knots & "splices"

[DBA Forum (B) - Alan Kerr]

Searching for knots in the knowledge base returns articles about speed but I mean the other knots :(

Having lost one fender already I am keen to secure the rest securely but tidily.

My knotting ability is just below my knowledge of flags so advice requested.

I noted that one of my fenders was already attached on delivery using a 2m lanyard with a loop spliced at one end.
The free end ran around the Tip-Top fender and back towards the looped end.
It was then "attached" by opening up the strands and weaving the free end through a couple of times.
It produces a triangular lanyard with a bollard loop at the top.
As tension is applied to the lanyard it will naturally tighten up around the inserted section - simples.
And I have successfully duplicated this on another lanyard but with 3 "interlocks", not 2.
It is a very neat solution and places the fender exactly where I want it - but how reliable/secure is it?

Thanks.

[DBA Forum (B) - Colin Stone]

Very.

And with respect to splices, as it is Trafalgar Day today, "splice the mainbrace" ie have a very large glass of rum, made into grog if you wish, and lie down - and think about rope splices tomorrow - or even the next day if the glass was extra large!!!

Colin Stone
KEI
Sent via BlackBerry® BIS

[DBA Forum (B) - Alan Kerr]

However, just found this:

www.marlowropes.com/splicing-videos/3-strand-eye-splice.html

Is it as easy as it looks & where can you get one of those tools?

[DBA Forum (B) - Alan Kerr]

Admiral Nelson, I salute you.
But today is an alcohol free day :(

Thank you Colin :)

[DBA Forum (B) - Colin Stone]

Do you mean a marlin spike?

For 3 strand it should not be needed, counter twisting the rope to open the strands should suffice to poke through each strand.

Although there is an seaman's expression "every finger a marlin spike".

Colin Stone
KEI
Sent via BlackBerry® BIS

[DBA Forum (B) - Pete. Milne]

There are so many good animated websites for knots and splices, the Knowledgebase really couldn't compete. One good site is http://www.animatedknots.com/indexsplicing.php

The splicing tool (a fid) is totally unnecessary for simple 3-strand splices. I have one but rarely use it.. An eye splice is a very simple thing to learn and very useful.. A disposable cigarette lighter is useful to seal the ends of the strands so they don't get fluffy while you're tying it. Just try it!

Pete

[DBA Forum (B) - Colin Stone]

Post by DBA Forum (B) - Alan Kerr
But today is an alcohol free day

And for me Tuesdays also, but one has to make the exception and commemorate the "Immortal Memory", particularly if in France or Spain!

Once celebrated Traf Night with SP and FR Admirals onboard. Great evening especially when edible chocolate ships of line appeared for pud!

Colin Stone
KEI

Sent via BlackBerry® BIS

[DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson]

Post by DBA Forum (B) - Pete. Milne
The splicing tool (a fid) is totally unnecessary for simple 3-strand splices

Well I've always thought of it as a Marlin Spike and although it may not be essential it does make the job very much easier, particularly if working with old rope that has hardened. You can get them at any chandler that sells rope. If they don't have them, get the rope somewhere else - at a better chandler!

Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - Daniel Boekel]

It is as easy as it looks, you'll probably have to practice a bit to get the beginning right and without warping.

The 'hollow needle' I never use...because I don't have one, I'll get one someday because it makes life easier :)

The hot knife is a tool you can't do without once you've tried it.

good luck!

2014-10-21 21:41 GMT+02:00 DBA Forum (B) - Alan Kerr <dbabarges-pvYRptiajiAdnm+***@public.gmane.org>:


However, just found this:



www.marlowropes.com/splicing-videos/3-strand-eye-splice.html



Is it as easy as it looks & where can you get one of those tools?

[DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson]

Post by DBA Forum (B) - Daniel Boekel
The hot knife is a tool you can't do without once you've tried it.

Electric hot knives are great but they won't get much use on a single barge. Best for use in chandlers where rope cutting is a regular activity. If you have a gas hob or a blow-torch (or even a candle if you're patient), just heat up an old knife or other piece of thin metal, preferably with a wooden handle. This will do the job perfectly and costs you nothing.

Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - David Warren]

In view of tomorrows date will visit the Admiral Nelson in Braunston and have a small tot or two.
By the way I have been using insulation tape on the ends of the strands and to stop the noose end unraveling works well but disposable lighter good idea when working outside.
David

[DBA Forum (B) - Andy Soper]

A few years ago I treated myself to a gas hot knife and soldering iron - http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/solderpro-50-gas-soldering-iron-kit-n12ar - it was on offer at £19.99 at the time. Has proved to be invaluable in both roles.

We do't have a gas hob, blow torch or wooden handled knives!

The wooden handled thingy is a hollow fid - the 'marlin spike' thingy is what boy scouts have on their knives to help horses with stones in their hooves - but can still be used to open up the strands for an eye or back splice.

[DBA Forum (B) - James Smith]

Hi,

can someone recommend a book on knots? I'm interested in them now.

Kind regards,

James

[DBA Forum (B) - Andy Soper]

Hello James,

Des Pawson's book Knots and Splices - see DBA Bookshop

[DBA Forum (B) - James Smith]

bought one thanks!

-----Original Message-----
Forum (B) - Andy Soper [mailto:dbabarges-pvYRptiajiAdnm+***@public.gmane.org]
Sent: 22 October 2014 20:00
subscribers
& "splices"


Hello James,

Des Pawson's book Knots and Splices - see DBA Bookshop

[DBA Forum (B) - Michael Walsh]

For years I have used a Nimrod Micro-Jet, an inexpensive small torch fueled by a butane lighter. It is great for sealing the ends of cut line.

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[DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson]

Post by DBA Forum (B) - Andy Soper
The wooden handled thingy is a hollow fid - the 'marlin spike' thingy is what boy scouts have on their knives to help horses with stones in their hooves - but can still be used to open up the strands for an eye or back splice.

See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlinspike
and - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fid
The device we're all talking about is a bit of both (part wood, part steel) but is hollowed out so much easier to use, so nothing wrong with calling it either, I suggest.

Not sure what the proper name for a boy scout's horse shoe spike is but a Captain Currey lockspike knife will do that job too.

I don't have gas hob either but I'd jibe at £40 for the Maplin's iron. My solution is the gas BBQ for heating the cheapo knife I have in my toolbox. The reasons for choosing a wooden handled one - it doesn't melt and it won't burn your hands when you've heated it up enough to cut through a 25mm rope.

Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - Tam Murrell]

[quote="David Warren" post=58647]In view of tomorrows date will visit the Admiral Nelson in Braunston and have a small tot or two.
By the way I have been using insulation tape on the ends of the strands and to stop the noose end unraveling works well but disposable lighter good idea when working outside.
David[/quote]

I don't smoke and have no lighter, but Di has a kitchen mini blowlamp for crème brulé etc which serves the purpose very well on synthetic line. I generally bind each side of the proposed cut with electrical tape or even masking tape, cut with a Stanley knife and then cauterise the ends.

Tam

[DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson]

A flame is inevitably less accurate and produces a less well sealed cut than a hot knife, but it works OK for tidying up loose strands or whipping twine. It's pretty hopeless for cutting a rope and leaves a blackened tapered end.

Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - Alan Kerr]

Our Marina office has a hot knife.I may ask nicely :)

On Thursday, 23 October 2014, DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson <dbabarges-pvYRptiajiAdnm+***@public.gmane.org> wrote:


A flame is inevitably less accurate and produces a less well sealed cut than a hot knife, but it works OK for tidying up loose strands or whipping twine.  It's pretty hopeless for cutting a rope and leaves a blackened tapered end.



Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - Tam Murrell]

Post by DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson
A flame is inevitably less accurate and produces a less well sealed cut than a hot knife, but it works OK for tidying up loose strands or whipping twine. It's pretty hopeless for cutting a rope and leaves a blackened tapered end.
Peter

Probably so, but I never leave a rope end with simply a burnt end if I am going to use it for something - I always back splice at the very least. If It's going back into the dunnage then that's OK.

[DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson]

I always back splice at the. very least.

Interesting - I never back splice as it increases the rope diameter and may reduce its ability to be pulled through a ring or other lock or dock side fitting. Provided the rope is carefully cut with an adaquately hot knife, I find the strands very rarely separate, specially if whipping twine is used.

Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - Pete. Milne]

[quote="Peter Cawson" post=58684]A flame is inevitably less accurate and produces a less well sealed cut than a hot knife, but it works OK for tidying up loose strands or whipping twine. It's pretty hopeless for cutting a rope and leaves a blackened tapered end.
[/quote]
Cutting with a bare flame would be silly. For cutting, a Stanley knife works fine and a cigarette lighter (you don't have to smoke to have one!) is fine to seal the end (at least the way I do it).


[quote="Tam Murrell" post=58688]
Probably so, but I never leave a rope end with simply a burnt end if I am going to use it for something - I always back splice at the very least. [/quote]
I'd never use a back-splice in a rope as it leaves a thickening that might jam somewhere. You need a good whipping sir! [Sorry Tam, I couldn't resist that.]

Ideal: Cut a rope with a hot knife or Stanley knife (US: box-cutter?); smooth off the rough bits with the knife( or a lighter and a bit of wood; then whip the end and it'll last forever. Some ends just cut with a hot knife last forever, too. They just don't look as smart as whipping.
When splicing, sealing the ends with tape or twine or lighter or hot knife; all work. The hollow (Swedish) fid helps.

Technically the (steel) marlinspike is for steel rope, the wooden/bone fid for rope/canvas. See Peter's links (especially (ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fid for a sailor with a seriously big one!)

Pete