Farmer's Splice

[AaronS]

I was introduced to a wire splice today that was called a "Farmer's Splice". Brion, I was wondering if you had any information, or experience with such a splice. The co-worker who demonstrated it has been in the crane and rigging business far longer than I have been on this earth and really knows his stuff. He started with a bare piece of 1/2" wire (7x19, I think, if that's possible) and divided the wire into two strands for a length of about 2 feet. He then formed both pieces into the shape of an eye, and starting at the top of the 'eye', and moving down each side, began to weave one piece into the other, so that the ends terminated just past the throat of the splice, and were woven back into one piece of wire. When he was finished, the wire in the eye was indisinguishable from the standing part, with just a short piece of 'rewoven' wire at the throat, along the standing part. The splice is finished with a single cable clamp at the throat, and according to my friend, has 85% of the strength of the wire.

I know this would be useless, and too ugly, for proper sailboat rigging, but it was an extremely handy piece of knowledge for use in the field and possibly for jury rigging or emergency procedures. Since it only requires basic tools and a cable clamp, and a pair of strong hands (no vise!), I was impressed with it's utility. Any comments on strength or by those who've used it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Aaron