First, when taping the end of the lines I find masking tape works MUCH better than vinyl tape. I'm not sure what the instructions there say but I know some reccomend vinyl. Also, start the milking process by not milking the cover. Instead, secure the knotted end (as per instructions) and set something smooth (like your fid or something more stout preferably) and put a lot of tension on the line. This should seat most of the splice. If you don't do this there is a chance you'll end up with a relatively slack cover in the eye. After that let the milking begin. Start at the knot and work towards the splice keeping, or applying considerable tension at the end of the pull. Once the slack is gone near the knot (which will not take long at all) take your splice and flex it a bunch back and forth or tap it with a mallet, smooth wood block, heavy screw driver, big fid, etc. This'll relax the strands and let you get a bit more down. Milk it till you aren't gaining any more then repeat the flexing/beating process. The hardest part is when the crossover starts to bury. Once you have that somewhat in you'll be able to gain a bit more. If it has a stiff cover (and from the picture it looks like it probably has a very stiff cover) then this is the source of your problems. A tightly woven cover can make splicing a real pain. As per your question:

1) Yes, it appears that you are. The info sheet on the blaze claims it's splicable using the standard double braid eye splice.
2) Other than masking tape, no although a unifid or perhaps the splicing wand sold on brion's site (which I have no personal experience with) might be easier. A standard fid and pusher should (emphasis on should) get you there though.
3) I don't have personal experience with it but it appears to have a tight tough cover which would give you problems.
4) Giving up too early - it sounds like you were there on your second attempt, you just had to milk it down further to bury the crossover. This may take ALOT of effort. I remember my first several attempts at endurabraid (entirely different splicing technique) took over an hour each, the vast majority of which time was spent milking the cover towards the splice.



Good luck!