Samson 8-STRAND Class I User Manual

SAMSON SPLICING INSTRUCTIONS

8-Strand Class I Eye Splice

Class I ropes are made from any or all of the following bers: olen, polyester, or nylon.

The eye splice is used to place a permanent loop in the end of a rope, generally for attachment

purposes to a xed point. An eye is also used to form the rope around a thimble, which is used
to protect the rope, especially when it is to be attached to a shackle, chain, or wire rope.

GETTING STARTED

8-strand ropes, also known as plaited ropes, are composed of 8 strands grouped into
4 pairs. 2 of these pairs turn to the left (shown in gray), and 2 pairs turn to the right
(shown in white.) Seen in this cross-section, the 4 strand pairs form the sides of a square.
The strands that are on opposite sides of the square will rotate in the same direction.

Tools RequiRed

A splicing d or marlinspike, sharp knife or scissors,
plastic or masking tape, marking pen.

COUNTING AND MARKING

10 picks

step

1

From the end of the rope, count a distance of 10
picks and apply tape securely around the rope
immediately after the 10th pick, as shown in
the illustration. This is Mark 1. Apply the tape
securely enough so that it will not move during
the splicing procedure.

Bitter end of rope

1 Pick

Mark 1

Standing part of line

step

2

step

3

MAKING THE EYE AND MARKING THE ROPE

Form the desired size of the eye being

careful not to add twist to the rope. Mark the
rope adjacent to the tape. This is Mark 2.

MARKING THE LEFT-ROTATING STRANDS

From the end of the rope; mark the rst

10-picks up to the tape at Mark 1. Continue
marking the length of the eye and at least
an additional 6 picks past Mark 2. Mark all

strands that rotate left on both sides of the
braided rope.

Note: The strands that rotate left (gray)

can be marked for improved visual
reference. 8-strand ropes are composed
of 4 pairs of 2 strands each. 2 of the
strand pairs rotate to the left, and 2 pairs
rotate to the right. When marking the left­rotating strands, be sure to turn the rope
over and mark the left-rotating strands on
the opposite side of the braid.

Mark 1

Mark 2

Mark 1

Mark 2

Turn rope

over

Mark 2

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Mark 1

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SAMSON SPLICING INSTRUCTIONS

8-Strand Class I Eye Splice

step

4

step

5

TAPING THE ENDS AND UNLAYING THE ROPE

4a

4B

4C

Tape the ends of each of the
8 strands individually.

Unlay the strand pairs all the way back

to the tape at Mark 1. Keep the pairs of

strands together while unbraiding.

When unlayed, the strands in a pair will

be twisted around each other. Untwist

each strand pair so the 2 strands lie
parallel to each other, rather than
twisting around each other. Tape the
ends of each pair together.

4A

4B

4C

POSITIONING THE STRANDS

Arrange the strand pairs as shown in
Fig. A. One set of the marked (gray)
strands is on the top; and the other
marked (gray) strands are on the

bottom. The unmarked (white) pair
will be on the left and right.

Individually
taped ends

Mark 2

Mark 1

Mark 1

Figure A

6

step

step

7

FORMING THE EYE

Physically form the eye, making certain
there is no twist in the rope. Place
the (white) pair that is closest to the
standing part of the rope over the rope,

at Mark 2, as shown in Fig. B; being

careful not to add twist to the rope.

Figure B

ROUTE TUCKING THE STRAND PAIRS

Note: If necessary, use a d or marlinspike to
loosen the strands. The left rotating (gray)
strands will be tucked under the right rotating
(white) strands, and vice versa.

7a

7B

Beginning with the left rotating
marked (gray) pair of strands on

top, make your rst tuck under

the right rotating (white) pair of
strands closest to Mark 2. Pull
the strands completely through,
making sure that the strands
don’t twist (Fig. C).

Turn the eye over and tuck
the other marked (gray) pair of
strands under the (white) pair
of strands directly opposite the
previous tuck (Fig. D).

Figure C

Figure D

Mark 1

Mark 2

Mark 1

Mark 2

Turn rope

over

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Mark 1

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