Uses: The Back Splice (ABOK # 2813, p 462) provides a secure method of preventing the end of a rope from fraying.

The Crown Knot

Structure: The back splice starts with a Crown Knot to redirect the strands back towards the standing end. The splice is completed by braiding the ends back into the standing strands. About three complete “tucks” are sufficient as no load is applied to a back splice.

Finishing: Finishing the Back Splice neatly is not essential. It should be regarded as temporary, and replaced with a whipping. Leaving the ends long increases the security of the splice with little penalty.

Disadvantages: The Back Splice makes a bulky end to a rope and usually prevents the rope’s end from passing though blocks and pulleys. For most purposes, a whipping is preferred – see:

Advantages: No additional tools or equipment are required to tie the Back Splice, and it is easily learned and quickly tied.