STEP 1

Measure back from the bitter end 1 long fid section, (see below for fid length table) to make mark "A". Form desired eye size. (If thimble is to be used, form the rope around it with "A" on one side.) Make a mark directly across from "A", this is mark "B". Measure back 1 1/2 full fid lengths from "B" to mark "C". Tie a slipknot some 8 to 10 feet further up the rope.

STEP 2

Extract the core from rope at mark "B" as shown (see illustration). Tightly tape the end of the core. Slide the cover down the core as far as possible toward the knot. Now smooth the cover from the knot toward the end of the core. Mark core where it exits from the cover. This is mark "1". Slide cover back down core, measure one short fid length from mark "1" and make mark "2". Place a single wrap of tape around the core at mark "2".

Taper the end of the core tail and attach the Uni-fid as shown. Slit and remove the fabric tape covering the core from mark "2" to the end of the Uni-fid, exposing the parallel core yarns.

If a closed termination is being placed in the eye, slide the hardware onto the core at this time. Insert the tip of the Uni-fid into the cover at mark "A" and work it down the rope and out at mark "C".

Do not snag any cover yarns with the tip of the fid. (Slack may be introduced into the cover to open it up by pulling out more core from mark "B".)

STEP 4

Pull fid and about 4-6 inches of core out of rope at mark "C".

Remove Uni-fid. Measure and mark the core fibers one short fid length from the end.

Fan the core fibers and cut at a 45 degree angle from the mark to the bottom end.

STEP 5

From mark "A" on cover, count five pics toward end of cover tail. Unbraid cover from end back to this point; and cut at a 45 degree angle.

STEP 6

Carefully pull core back out of cover at mark "A" until mark "2" on core (where tape was applied on step two) lines up with mark "A". This is the crossover point. Tightly tape the tapered end of the cover to the core starting at mark "A" and working toward the end of the cover. Use masking tape and overlap each wrap of tape as little as possible. After taping, roll the taped section between your hands to smooth the taped area. Hold the rope at mark "A" and smooth the cover toward the knot. Tapered core tail will disappear into rope.

STEP 7

Attach the knot to a secure anchor point (a good deal of tension mat be required to bury the splice). Bury the exposed section of the splice up to the crossover point by milking the cover back up the rope from the knot. Keep the exposed core under tension while milking the cover. If the rope gets too tight when the crossover is being buried, flex and/or hammer the crossover to loosen the fiber. Continue this process until crossover is buried up to mark "A" and the cover is snug around the eye. To assist in the final bury, insert a large fid or rod through the eye and give a sharp tug. Seize, cross-stitch, or whip the throat.