DIY Bridle

[roadrunner65]

I'm thinking of making a bridle like the pictured example. I know how to do the 3 eye splices, but am wondering which splice is used to attach the 2nd line into the standing line here where the blue arrow is pointing. I can't find anything anywhere online on how to do this "V" splice. Any suggestions? I'm using 3 strand, so I think the brummel splice is out of the question.

[tenchiki]

In 3-strand, it is a "side splice", literally the same as an eye splice without the loop, though this version appears to use more tucks. I don't see the end tucks for the 2 back-to-back spices, however I expect them to be where the seizing is. Or, you could use one long length and use a good racking seizing at the middle eye. I'd use 2 seizings, one for the eye and one to hold the legs together.



If you had access to line that holds it's lay better than most synthetics, you could in theory unlay 1/2 of the length, make the extra-long eye splice, re-lay the line back together, and then do the final eye splice. It is, however, very tedious and VERY difficult to re-lay the line with equal loading on each strand. I've only done it to make some small-ish grommets quite some time ago, and I had to redo it a couple of times to get it right.

[wsmurdoch]

It looks to me like an eye splice has been put into rope A with a seizing at the upper limit of the splice. Then, rope B has been spliced into rope A from a point above the splice, down to the splice, over the seizing, then continuing to the throat of the eye with a taper. After which, the thimble was forced into the loop.

I first thought it was a modified **** splice, but I don't think so. [The word that the editor starred looks like the word cut. Google it.]

[chrisr]

i know this is sightly off on a tangent, however why splice it ?

we had a rigger replace our bridle a little while back, and he was adamant that the whipped eye he always makes was better than a splice. we're full time live-aboards so anchor an awful lot and the bridle has seen some seriously heavy conditions. still looks like new

i'd send a pic but it's under water at the moment...

another option is to use 2 seperate legs, each eye-spliced onto a ring

cheers,

[40 South]

Originally Posted by tenchiki

In 3-strand, it is a "side splice", literally the same as an eye splice without the loop, though this version appears to use more tucks. I don't see the end tucks for the 2 back-to-back spices, however I expect them to be where the seizing is. Or, you could use one long length and use a good racking seizing at the middle eye. I'd use 2 seizings, one for the eye and one to hold the legs together.

Have closer look!

The only whipping is hard against the thimble. The dark patches 1/2 way along the long splice is the heat melted ends of the two splices that form the long splice, an eye splice for the thimble and a long splice for the left-hand bridle.

[wsmurdoch]

40 South,

I think you are right. I mistook the brown area in the middle as a seizing. By comparing it to the fused strands on the eye splices at the ends of the bridle ropes it does look like the ends of fused strands. I now think the maker made an eye splice in one rope around the thimble. then made a splice into that first rope with a second rope beginning above the eye splice and working down to the eye splice, and finally fused the six protruding strands in three groups of two at that point.

[ilenart]

I made my own bridle a couple of years ago as per your photo, used an eye splice for the section you have highlighted. Has worked fine.

[roadrunner65]

Thanks for all the great advice. As far as the "side splice" goes, how many tucks would you recommend. I know the standard eye splice is 5, but would the other splice be more robust by adding more since there is no loop?

[ilenart]

Originally Posted by roadrunner65

Thanks for all the great advice. As far as the "side splice" goes, how many tucks would you recommend. I know the standard eye splice is 5, but would the other splice be more robust by adding more since there is no loop?

From memory I did about 8 or 9. This site saids for mooring, towlines, and other long term or critical applications, seven tucks are recommended.


https://www.animatedknots.com/eye-splice-knot