I got two words

Brion Toss.

http://www.briontoss.com/

Get the small and medium tools, and get the splicing instruction video 'Making Your Own Eye Splices' which covers other things as well

You will be a splicin' fool, hi or lowtech line. Brion RULES!

Hello, I'm PTP and I am a splicaholic.

You don't need any video, there are plenty of resources at samsonrope.com and marlowropes.com . However, having the real tools is nice but you really don't even need those. a bic pen is all you really need to do most splices on non-covered lines (but you can certainly taper covered lines with a bic pen, depending on the size).

Hiii PTP (in a bored voice)

You can McGyver it but I like the tools. I keep them with my boat in the toolbox and have had call to use them. I learned most of my splicing on the layline site.

Later,
Dan

Brion Toss: great video. Neat tool. I want one, but I've never been able to justify the cost since I already have Samson fids and a pusher.

I find that I only ever splice single braid high tech line on a cat (since double braid lines are oversized for hand holding , knots are fine).

I use vectran single braid because it is so easy to splice you can do it without any tools except packing tape and shishkabob skewers. However, learn to make a *locking* eye splice like in the attachment. Some (if not all) line vendors no longer recommend non-locking splices as they have a record of failing. Samson has instructions online.

I'll be more than happy to sell my old set of Samson stuff. I never could get it to work worth a damn. Screamin, hollerin cussin hard to use for me.

There are very few knots aboard either my boats, now. Everything is eyespliced or Brummel spliced.

Yeah, Toss' stuff ain't cheap, but I have found that it's really worth the money. The only reason I mention it is that here lately I've seen a couple splicing questions, and for my part, those wands were the answer. I like the video, too, it's easier to follow than the written directions. And I also found that the Toss people are very eager and cooperative, all about customer satisfaction. Which is rare here lately.

Maybe Rick n' Mary oughta see if Toss n'em will be into advert or for carrying their product in the Sailing Store.