Editing Rope splicing (section)

{{Short description|Semi-permanent joint between two ropes}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2009}}

[[File:1871 illustration rope splices.png|thumb|right|Stages in splicing the end of a rope, from ''[[Scientific American]]'', 1871]]

'''Rope splicing''' in [[ropework]] is the forming of a semi-permanent joint between two [[rope]]s or two parts of the same rope by partly untwisting and then interweaving their strands. Splices can be used to form a stopper at the end of a line, to form a loop or an eye in a rope, or for joining two ropes together.<ref>{{cite book
 | last    = Beech
 | first   = Frank
 | title   = Splicing Bell Ropes Illustrated
 | edition = first
 | year    = 2005
 | publisher = Central Council of Church Bell Ringers
 | isbn    = 0-900271-82-5
 | pages    = 1–32
}}</ref> Splices are preferred to knotted rope, since while a knot typically reduces the strength by 20–40%,<ref>Neil Montgomery, ''Single Rope Techniques'' (Natl Speleological Society, June 1982), p. 1.</ref> a splice is capable of attaining a rope's full strength.<ref>{{cite book
 | last    = Merry
 | first   = Barbara
 | title   = The Splicing Handbook
 | edition = second
 | year    = 2001
 | publisher = International Marine
 | isbn    = 0-07-135438-7
 | page    = 1
}}</ref> However, splicing usually results in a thickening of the line and, if subsequently removed, leaves a distortion of the rope. Most types of splices are used on three-strand rope, but some can be done on 12-strand or greater single-braided rope, as well as most double braids.

While a spliced three-strand rope's strands are interwoven to create the splice, a braided rope's splice is constructed by simply pulling the rope into its jacket.{{clarify|date=June 2023}}