Splicing Equipment & Tools

What is rope splicing?

Splicing is a way of joining rope or creating a permanent eye or loop by working the strands or fibres back into the rope itself. Unlike tying a knot, a properly made splice creates a neat, streamlined finish without the bulk of a knot and can retain more of the rope's original strength.

Splicing is widely used for yacht and dinghy ropes, mooring lines, rigging and many other rope applications. The method used will depend on the rope construction, so a traditional 3-strand rope is spliced differently from a braided or HMPE rope.

Which splicing tools do I need?

The right tools make splicing considerably easier – particularly when working with tightly braided or high-performance ropes.

Our range includes:

• Fids – Traditional splicing tools used to open up and separate rope strands. Particularly useful when working with larger ropes and 3-strand constructions.
• Splicing needles – Designed to help feed or pull rope through itself when making splices in braided ropes.
• D-Splicer tools – Fine wire splicing tools particularly suited to modern braided ropes and fibres such as Dyneema® and HMPE.
• Ceramic knives – Sharp cutting tools designed for synthetic rope fibres.
• Splicing scissors – Specialist scissors for cutting tough fibres such as Dyneema® and HMPE cleanly.
• Splicing kits – A useful option if you're starting from scratch, with a selection of commonly needed tools kept together in one kit.

Which tools you'll need depends on the rope you're working with, its diameter and the type of splice you want to make.

How to splice rope

There isn't one method that works for every rope, so always follow the splicing instructions for the particular rope construction you're using. However, the basic process usually follows these steps:

• Identify the rope construction – Check whether you're working with 3-strand, braided, double-braid or 12-strand rope and choose the appropriate splice.
• Measure and mark the rope – Allow enough length for the splice and mark the points where the strands or fibres will be opened, buried or tucked.
• Prepare the rope – Tape or mark the strands where necessary and carefully separate or open the rope using the appropriate fid or splicing tool.
• Form the eye or join – Pass the strands or rope back through the body following the correct sequence for that particular splice.
• Tighten and dress the splice – Work the rope back into shape, removing slack and making sure the strands or fibres sit neatly and evenly.
• Finish and inspect – Trim or finish the ends as required and check the completed splice carefully before putting it into use.

If you're new to splicing, our how-to video is a useful place to start and shows the process in practice.

Splicing tools for yacht, dinghy and general rope work

You don't need an enormous toolbox to start splicing, but having the right tools can turn a frustrating job into a much easier one.

We stock individual tools if you know exactly what you need, as well as complete yacht and dinghy splicing kits if you'd prefer a ready-made selection. Browse the range above to find the right tools for your rope and the type of splice you're making.