Ropework
Short Splice
DIFFICULTY ●●●●○
The permanent way to join two three-strand ropes: marry the unlaid ends together, then tuck each strand over-and-under into the opposite rope, both directions.
See it tied step-by-step ↗Why it earns its place
Far stronger than any bend — the joined rope keeps most of its strength — and it will never shake loose, because it cannot. This is how working ropes were joined for centuries.
Where it fails
Like the back splice it thickens the rope at the join, so it will not run through blocks (the long splice exists for that, at the cost of much more work). Permanent means permanent.
Quick facts
| Type | Joining splice |
| Strength | ~85%+ of rope |
| Diameter | Thickened at join |
| Best for | Permanent rope joins |