Editing Rope splicing (section)

==Splicing tools==
[[File:Oogsplitsen.jpg|thumb|[[Eye splice]], common whipping thread, fid and Swedish fid]]
A [[fid]] is a hand tool made from wood, plastic, or bone and is used in the process of working with rope. A variety of fid diameters are available depending on the size of rope being used. Styles of fid designs include:<ref>{{cite book
 | last    = Merry
 | first   = Barbara
 | title   = The Splicing Handbook
 | edition = second
 | year    = 2001
 | publisher = International Marine
 | isbn    = 0-07-135438-7
 | pages   = 12–13
}}</ref>
*A Swedish fid is conical instrument with a somewhat long taper. 
*Tubular fids aid in splicing double-braided rope.
*Top fids are used to pull rope taut while separating strands of rope with a Swedish fid.
*Uni-fids are needed to splice braid with a parallel core.

A [[marlinspike]] is a tool, usually made of steel and often part of a sailor's pocketknife, which is used to separate strands of rope from one another. They can range in size anywhere from {{convert|3|inches}} to {{convert|5|feet}} long, with a round or flattened point.<ref>{{cite book
 | last    = Merry
 | first   = Barbara
 | title   = The Splicing Handbook
 | edition = second
 | year    = 2001
 | publisher = International Marine
 | isbn    = 0-07-135438-7
 | page    = 13
}}</ref>

A pulling fid is often used for smaller diameters of braided ropes. Also a Softfid is a great tool when dealing with tightly braided ropes.