How to Make an Eye Splice in Three-Strand Manila Rope

Markus Bärlocher, Rasbak/Wikimedia Commons

Eye-splicing rope is a skill that is fundamental to sailors and climbers everywhere. It should also be considered important to campers and handymen. This basic bit of rope-work is necessary for any sort of job where something needs to be hung, pulled, hoisted, dragged or climbed up from the end of a stable, durable loop.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Manila rope Electrical tape Fid Heavy scissors
Manila rope
Electrical tape
Fid
Heavy scissors

Step 1

Count back 14 "crowns," or twists in the rope from one end, and form an open loop in the rope at that point. Tape off the rope at both sides of the loop. The section of rope you counted back will be called the "open end" from now on. The other side is the "closed end."

Step 2

Undo the open end of the rope so you have all three strands of rope free. You may wish to tape off the ends for greater stability, but that's optional.

Step 3

Two examples of fids.

Take your fid (a tool that looks a lot like a shoe horn with a pointy end), and pry up one strand of rope on the closed end, on the outside of the taping. Thread the center strand from the open end under and through this opening, and then pull the strand taut. Since the fid is shaped like a horseshoe, you can pull the strand right through its hollow.

Step 4

Turn the rope over, and repeat Step 3 on the next crown up, using the left-hand free strand from the open end.

Step 5

Turn the rope over again, and go one more crown up to repeat Step 3 using the final strand from the open end. All strands should be pulled taut, and now all should be interwoven with the rope strands on the closed end.

Step 6

Repeat Steps 3 through 5, continuing on up the rope until there is about 3/8 of an inch of rope remaining.

Step 7

Trim off the remainder of the open end strands with a heavy-duty pair of scissors. Friction inside the rope will now hold the eye-loop in place.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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