Rope splicing

[3] However, splicing usually results in a thickening of the line and, if subsequently removed, leaves a distortion of the rope.

A fid is a hand tool made from wood, plastic, or bone and is used in the process of working with rope.

Styles of fid designs include:[10] A marlinspike is a tool, usually made of steel and often part of a sailor's pocketknife, which is used to separate strands of rope from one another.

They can range in size anywhere from 3 inches (76 mm) to 5 feet (1.5 m) long, with a round or flattened point.

Also a Softfid is a great tool when dealing with tightly braided ropes.

Stages in splicing the end of a rope, from Scientific American , 1871
Examples of splices in different stages of completion, from the Nordisk familjebok : a) long splice b) tapered short splice c) eye splice d) short splice
An unfinished cut splice
A line eye-spliced to a snap shackle
A short splice, with ends whipped
Eye splice , common whipping thread, fid and Swedish fid