The Double Braid Splice Blues

[seawolf]

Hello all,
Maybe someone can offer some advise.
I am attempting my first double braid splice and after reviewing the Brion's video which makes things very clear, I seem to have run into a problem.
Here's the scoop.
I am using Brion's splicing wand and 3/8 inch sta-set.
The label on the wand states best for line 5/16 to 1/2 inch.

The problem:
I can not seem to get the wand to slide between the core and cover no matter what I do.
I even tried putting it in where the core comes out and going in the other direction to ensure I haven't snagged the core. There just seems to be not enough room and even bunching up the cover does not seem to help.
The line just jams on the wand and I get no more than an inch into the cover.
The line is not new, but only a season or so old.
Is sta-set a typical double braid? Do I need a smaller diameter wand?
Thanks for your help.
Bob

[Brion Toss]

Hi there,
First of all, I feel your pain. Splicing is great when it goes well, but when it doesn't it can be very bad indeed. In this case you have two problems, besides your inexperience.
The first is that New England makes tough rope. Tough as in abrasion-resistant, and it is also wonderfully inelastic. It's my favorite rope, but it can be hard to splice.
But the bigger problem is that any double-braid rope can stiffen up horribly with just a little bit of weathering. Not enough that it feels bad to handle, but enough to make it hard to get a tool into.
That's why I always recommend that you do your first splices with brand new rope, and that you don't even think about splicing old rope except in cases of emergency or masochism. Contact the shop and I'll have them send you a length of new rope, just for S&H. You might also try washing the offending piece you now have, being sure to throw in some laundry softener. Then pull the core out to bunch the cover against the knot, and while it is bunched pound it with a mallet. I am not making this up.
Remember, the entire point of the tool is to make splicing easier, so if you are hitting any other walls, be in touch.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[seawolf]

Brion,
Thanks for the advise.
I will find a piece of new line to work with and see how that goes.
I like the idea of pounding the cover with a mallet. It will make me feel better, and give me a little revenge for the frustration it gave me.
I don't see any splicing workshops on the near horizon. It would give me a good reason to come up to Port Townsend for a long weekend. The wife and I will be up sometime in late spring for a visit. I want to see your new marine center. It was still under construction on our last visit.
Fair winds.
Bob

[Robbie.g]

Old rope is a real pain in the A#$*,DON'T DO IT TO YOURSELF, tie a knot... If you must, brions' books 5 recommends say's you should massage the rope, this works really well... get confidence on some new rope, before you go back to the sh*tty old rope, as brion suggested.
Good luck.