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jacob30 · 31-12-2011, 06:11

How do you deal with your lines bitter end? I have a few lines that have their small stuff unraveling and they need repair. Is there a good book or instruction on this topic?

Thanks.

**delmarrey** · 31-12-2011, 06:27

There are several ways to deal with ends. The original 3 strand method was to back splice. As for the synthetics one can whip it with waxed small stuff and pass a needle thru a couple times.
Dip it in a liquid rubber.
Or put electrical shrink tubing.
I prefer the whipping. It seems to last longer.

**arisatx** · 31-12-2011, 07:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacob30

How do you deal with your lines bitter end? I have a few lines that have their small stuff unraveling and they need repair. Is there a good book or instruction on this topic?

Thanks.

Jacob:

Brion shows how to whip the ends of 3strand and double braid in this book as well as backsplicing 3strand.

Chapman Knots for Boaters: A Chapman Nautical Guide

by Brion Toss

sck5 · 31-12-2011, 08:03

Nothing is easier than electrical shrink tubes. Takes 30 seconds and if it doesnt last then so what? Spend another 25 cents and another 30 seconds and it is just fine again.

Jake Tanley · 31-12-2011, 08:10

Whipping double braid - very simple

Whipping - How to Finish the End of a Rope - YouTube

**Intentional Drifter** · 31-12-2011, 08:14

I'd say that if it is light duty and not exposed to the elements, then the shrink tubes do just great. If heavy duty or exposed, then whipping is the way to go. Once you learn the method, it only take a minute or two to do one.

ID

Artif · 31-12-2011, 08:38

I prefer a Carrick twist, but I'm from Falmouth, so slightly biased.
Works very well though, and I've been using it for years.

**Tellie** · 31-12-2011, 08:47

A neat site

Sailmaker's Whipping | How to make a Sailmaker's Whipping | Rope Care Knots

Whipping is one of those simple things to learn and is far more impressive when stepping aboard than a black melted end. Sometimes it's the smaller fine details that impress and define the difference bewteen seasoned sailors and check book sailors

**Dockhead** · 31-12-2011, 08:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artif

I prefer a Carrick twist, but I'm from Falmouth, so slightly biased.
Works very well though, and I've been using it for years.

Carrick Twist? Never heard of it, and can't find anything on Google either. I know the Carrick Bend, but that wouldn't be much applicable to this situation. Perhaps you'd like to share?

**Dockhead** · 31-12-2011, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacob30

How do you deal with your lines bitter end? I have a few lines that have their small stuff unraveling and they need repair. Is there a good book or instruction on this topic?

Thanks.

The "bitter end" is not just any end of a rope.

To keep the ends of your ropes from unravelling, there are a few techniques:

1. Whip them, as others have said. Any good book on knots will tell you how to do it. You will need some whipping twine and you should learn how to do a constrictor knot with one hand -- a very simple and satisfying knot.

2. Cut the end of the rope off with a hot knife. This works ok on smaller, tightly roven ropes like double braid nylon or polyester.

Artif · 31-12-2011, 09:00

Can't find anything online yet.
Probably known by other names, basically you start with a constricter knot, and continue with an overhand knot the loop going over the bitter end each time, when you have done several you end up with each over hand knot spiralling up the rope.
It can be done with more than one strand giving you several spirals.

will try to find some pictures.

**Dockhead** · 31-12-2011, 09:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artif

Can't find anything online yet.
Probably known by other names, basically you start with a constricter knot, and continue with an overhand knot the loop going over the bitter end each time, when you have done several you end up with each over hand knot spiralling up the rope.
It can be done with more than one strand giving you several spirals.

will try to find some pictures.

How interesting. Please do share this. Photos would be very helpful.

It actually sounds a bit like what I do.

Please don't abuse the term "bitter end"! You are just talking about a rope end so far. Which may or may not become the bitter end of the rope, when the rope is in action! A rope not being used does not have a "bitter end".

Sorry for the pedantry, but this is a pet peeve of mine -- the use of nautical terms as decoration, rather than to convey some concrete meaning.

**Dockhead** · 31-12-2011, 09:11

"1627 A Bitter is but the turne of a Cable about the Bits. And the Bitters end is that part of the Cable doth stay within boord. 1867 When a chain or rope is paid out to the bitter-end, no more remains to be let go.
Hence, perh.bitter end"

OED.

Only one end of a rope can be the "bitter end". But both ends need to be whipped!

Artif · 31-12-2011, 09:42

Point taken, I'm not bitter

Here is a picture of one of my dogs leads, hence the braid used for the whipping, rather than whipping twine, which makes a much nicer job of it.
But it gives you an idea of the result.

Please excuse the poor workmanship but the braid really isn't the ideal material for this kind of work

sck5 · 31-12-2011, 10:13

"Sometimes it's the smaller fine details that impress and define the difference bewteen seasoned sailors and check book sailors "

I think he just called me a "check book sailor". Quick! Send me a check! I would love to be one!