Eye Splice
A permanent eye in the end of a three-strand rope: the end is bent back and its strands are tucked into the standing part, against the lay. Much stronger than any knotted loop.
- Difficulty
- ●●● Advanced
- Security
- Permanent
- Untying
- No
Drawing being redrawn. This 3D model does not yet show the knot clearly enough to learn from. Use the written steps for now; the corrected drawing will replace it.
Drag to turn the knot. Scroll or pinch to zoom.
- 1Unlay the end and bend it back to make the eye the size you want.
- 2Tuck the middle strand under one strand of the standing part, against the lay. The other two go under the next strands round, one from each side.
- 3Continue each strand over one, under one, down the standing part.
- 4Make at least three full rounds of tucks, then roll the splice to even it and trim the ends.
Arrow keys step through. Tags show whether the moving end passes over or under.
Use it for
- Mooring and anchor lines.
- A permanent loop round a thimble, for shackling to a chain or fitting.
- Any eye that will stay in the rope for good.
Watch out
- The first tuck sets the splice. Make sure each strand goes under a different strand of the standing part.
- Use at least three rounds of tucks in natural rope, four or five in synthetic.
- Fit a thimble if the eye will bear on metal.
Untying
It does not come undone. Cut the rope if you need it back.