I have started to do some line splicing and am finding lots of good uses for Spectra. I am replacing a lot of the Nicro-pressed wire on my boat, like the ones used for tack pendants. I really like working with this material, but I am having a hard time finding a way to cut it. It seems like I need to sharpen my knife after almost every project.
I know you have done a fair bit of splicing, do you have any ideas for me?
Matt Farnum
San Diego, California
Dear Matt,
Welcome to the world of splicing and replacing metal with fiber! You’ll find countless uses for little bits of Spectra or other fibers; you can replace wire, shackles and lots of things. Using fiber is ultimately lighter, cheaper, stronger, corrosion free and just plain cool. Your only enemies are chafe and UV damage, so inspect early and often.
Spectra is very strong and pretty hard to cut. Spectra is a trade name for ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. This material is used in industrial applications because it is somewhat self-lubricating but also very chafe resistant. These properties make it hard to cut, and even harder on the tool you are cutting with.
I have traditionally used scissors to cut cordage; at least smaller sizes. The scissors dull quickly but work well, the trick is to get a pair of scissors worth sharpening and then sharpen them often. I’ve had great luck with the all-metal models from Gingher (www.gingher.com, 800-446-4437). You can find them online or any sewing store should carry them or be able to order them for you.
Another option is to use a knife with a ceramic blade. These blades are very sharp and very hard, the downside is that they are brittle and a little pricey. The edge will stand up for a long time cutting fiber. You can find many fixed-blade models designed for hunting or culinary use. I recently purchased a nicely designed folding ceramic knife from Brion Toss Yacht Riggers (www.briontoss.com, 360-385-1080). Brion designed this knife specifically for rigging purposes and it is fairly priced at $69.
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written by Taru , January 26, 2010
How about a pair of ceramic scissors?
http://www.kitchenu.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=1884
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written by R. G. Newbury , January 26, 2010
For small stuff (1/4" down) try Felco wire cutters. I got clean cuts on 1/2 inch polyester line using the office paper cutter!
Spectra may or may not be different. The shearing action puts lots of pressure right where you need it.
Spectra (or vectran etc) are so hard, that the blade on a too-small pair of scissors will bend apart and not shear the fibers..
In that case, try a really heavy duty pair at a dressmaker's supply shop; expensive but may do the trick.
If all else fails, use a hammer, a sharp one and a half inch chisel and a large block of hardwood. If that fails, then, you obviously need a larger hammer!
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written by Captain Smollett , January 26, 2010
Too wordy !!!
The reader must plow through rhetoric before finding an answer in the second half of sentence 10 and then the rest of the answer in sentence 13 in the 16 sentence reply.
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written by David S. , January 27, 2010
A Pair of ceramic scissors works real well for small stuff. See also a knife material made into a knife by David Boye, reviewed in Prictical Sailor. Bothe the review and a contact are at boyeknives.com
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written by Kris Ronald Anderson , January 27, 2010
There is a great knife made by a Japanese company called Tajima. They make a snap-blade razor knife that has a much more substantial blade than the hobby store varieties. It has a heavy, well made aluminum body and the blades are very sharp and they can easily be honed before ultimately snapping them off and discarding them. I like to save the blades that aren't sharp enough for a certain task as they can ways be used for other functions.
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written by Cajun man , January 27, 2010
Boye boat knives are by far the best for cutting line. The Cobalt blade is amazingly sharp and holds an edge for a very long time. And they come with a titanium marlinspike/shackle key for splicing. Check them out:
http://boyeknives.com/cutting_test.cfm
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written by Booker26Ivy , July 11, 2010
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