WELLINGTON CORDAGE S6034 Splicing Fid, 3-Pack

So far I have used a few of them, with winch lines. Working very good splicing endloops to hook up with shackles. Works better than wire and the smaller one did I have. Well now after many years of having them and many many splices later money well spent. I have screwed up a few of them grabbing the plastic with pliers to pull though lines. I do recommend for someone who might have to splice a few lines occasionally. I have 6 or so winches running synthetic lines and 2 boats. So I do use them some, along with showing a buddy how to splice lines a few times.

I learned to use a fid when I was about 12 and spliced and looped every piece of rope I thought needed it. The G-kids have never heard of a fid and were wondering how such great and otherwise 'complex' rope forms were made. Fids come in most price range and these are the cheapest I could find to stimulate the G-kids imagination. Excellent item to pass along practical know-how that might well disappear in a generation.

If your are a beginner to using paracord. This kit is fantastic. Paracord stitching is incredible. I have repaired so many things using this kit. I fixed my hiking bag, a tent repair, I repaired my boots. Paracord is strong, and can be used in so many applications. ABSOLUTELY AMZING HAVING THIS NEEDLE KIT TO LEARN TO USE PARACORD.

The flashing on these is terrible, and sticks to the inside of the winch rope like velcro on steroids. I had to file and sand it down too much to get it work at all. Then the tip is very sharp, which I filed down, so it keeps sticking. I ended up using a knife sharpener rod to open the center, then use the sanded down fid to get the tail through there. The first one I tried, before I sanded it down, tore up the rope so bad I cut it off and started over. Using the fids is a learning process, and youtube is helpful but so is practice. I wish these fids were about twice as long. As is, you have to keep coming out and going back in, unless you have a better method.

As far as ski ropes, boating lines, tow lines, etc. this worked perfectly. At this price there is no need to buy expensive stainless steal fids at $20 or $30. These work perfectly. Just remember to make a fresh cut of the broken line and then melt down the end and tapered it off before using the fid. You may want to use an old glove to melt and taper (between your fingers) the very warm ski line. Using a Bic lighter is a fairly cool flame which is perfect for sealing and tapering vinal ropes.

I bought these as a precaution if my synthetic winch line broke in the field I could repair it and get out of a jam.

These handy little devices allow easy splicing of hollow braided rope. Years ago these were included with the rope, but you need to buy them separately now, but they're worth it. You can get metal fids (where does that name come from?), but they're quite a bit more expensive. I found these plastic ones more than adequate for assembling a couple of rope hand rails on our playground using 1/2" poly. I've also used these for making tow ropes for water toys, inexpensive ski ropes, etc.

I used these fids on some 12 strand dyneema rope to make two soft shackles and with the rest of the rope I put two eyes in each end of the rope using brummel splices. These fids worked just fine. It would have been easier had they been a little longer but I was able to make do with these. The long bury technique was a bit challenging but can be accomplished if you pop out and then pull the rope through and go back in the same hole you came out and continue.