SamsonRope Splicing Kit (Fids 1/4-Inch, 1/2-Inch)

Any sailor should have these on hand. This set is very good and works well with a little practice.

This product is great! It seems well made, the fids are smooth, and the instructions are concise and quite clear.I needed a new spinnaker halyard, which is 3/8 braid. It needs a snapshackle spliced to its end. I first tried splicing with an old fid substitute called a "super snake". It snagged, tore fibers on the line, and finally broke (the tool, not the line) after two frustrating hours of trying to finish the splice.The samson double braid kit came today. I opened it, skimmed the instructions, got out my line and shackle and began. Less than 45 minutes later I had a very nice looking splice. The instructions were easy to follow and everything worked as it was supposed to. I actually enjoyed this (which was not the case the other day with the "super snake", nor the last time I completed a splice, 15 years ago) and I'm actually looking around for somethingelse to splice ;-)Only word of advice: when they say to use one thin layer of tape they are serious -- use as little tape as you can get awaywith and wrap it tightly. If it doesn't fit into the socket of the fid it won't pass through easily.

I have used this many times and it does the job! Easy to use but don't expect to get your ropes right on the first use. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you have it down your set.The reason for 4 stars: The fids have marking engraved into them and tend to catch/snag the rope making it just a little more difficult to easily slide them in through the rope. These should be laser etched rather than engraved giving you a slicker surface. Price is a little high for what you get but I do understand these are aluminum and there is some additional cost in manufacturing because of this. The fids should have a deeper pocket for the rope end, seems a little shallow, it works but would make things a little easier.The 'pusher' looks light duty but you can put some force into it and it holds up well, the wooden handle is strong and comfortable.In the end great kit just some minor rework of the fids and it would be a 5 star kit.

I'm just getting into splicing my own lines and this was a great way to start building that kit. The fids are really great quality, no burrs or other issues. I've made 4 new lifelines with dyneema as well as created a couple of turks head knots for TDC on the wheels of both boats. I'm happy and look forward to see what else I can do with them in the future.

I have both the Samson and Selma kits and they are both very good. I used the Selma units to eyesplice up to 1 inch. I prefer the Samson units because they don't have the longitudinal split that can snag fibers, and the pusher is included and makes the process easier.

They work great.

As far as I can tell this is the best splicing kit available. This kit contains is high quality aluminum fids and pusher in a nice package. The instructions a very good as well, although knot-work instructions are always difficult to follow. I recommend the youtube video posted by New England Ropes. Combine that with the included Samson instructions, and you should have not trouble with the splice. Pay close attention to exact measurements, and be sure your fid is correctly sized for the rope.Since these fids are aluminum they slide well within the rope. I doubt that the inexpensive plastic fids would work as well. The aluminum also holds up well to the stress required to work the fid through tight rope braid.The fids include the "short fid" mark for measuring the correct splice length. This mark is etched into the fid, and that mark actually binds on the rope sheath while working the splice. If that presents a real annoyance it may need to be filed down a bit to allow the fid to pass more easily.

Brushed aluminum with small burs around the etched print causes snags, stainless steel would be much better