Knots
A knot will reduce the strength of the rope, sometimes very significantly. This loss is caused by the tight bends and compression found in any knot. The amount a rope will be weakened will depend on the knot, type of rope and the material from which it is made, but can be up to 60%
Splices
Most Marlow ropes can be spliced. This is normally the preferred method of termination. A good splice using the recommended method should not reduce the strength of a rope by more than 10%.
Eye Sizes
Wherever possible the angle formed at the throat of a splice when it is loaded should be 30 degrees or less. This means that the length of the eye when flat must be at least 2.7 times the diameter of the object over which the eye is to be used and the distance from the bearing point to the throat when in use should be at least 2.4 times the diameter. Some materials like Aramids and HMPEs will require a larger eye with an angle at the throat of 15 degrees or less.
