Boat Rope Splicing Spike FID with Wood Handle, Marine Stainless Steel Accessories for Line Wire Dia

I used to work in a shipyard and on ships in the 1970s. This style of hollow fid had just come out and was far easier to use than a solid wood fid. I lost mine years ago and only recently stumbled across this on Amazon. It appears to be just like the one I had before. You open the rope lay, insert the fid and then can slide the rope strand right through the hollow fid, remove the fid, pull the strand tight and move on to the next strand. I still have a number of old solid wood fids but the hollow fid is the easiest and fastest tool for splicing rope.

I don't know what boat people do with the rope splicing spike fid, but I desperately needed this tool for basket weaving. After viewing many tutorials, I noticed some weavers used a fid to facilitate inserting weaver reeds into tight holes between reeds. After researching fids and sources, Amazon happened to have the one I needed. It arrived within a day, allowing me to complete a basket without too much delay. I bought the small one which fitted perfectly in my hand and was easy to use. Instead of mashed up reed ends entering small holes, now my baskets look neat because of this fid. First the fid separates reeds to allow the weaver reed to enter the hole; then a weaver reed is inserted into the hole through the fid's trough. The fid is withdrawn easily, leaving a neat entry and professionally looking basket.

Like everything but the edges sharp, probable from the stamping process. Filed the edges to make sure I did not fray the rope. It is a good tool for avid boaters as it makes splicing easier.

So much easier to use on large tight stiff ropes than the old school spike. The hollow channel is wonderful

Overall it’s a solid product, misrepresented because there is ZERO wood involved…Also extremely solid stainless steel but if you do not work on it yourself and clean up edges, you will cut your hands.I bought the largeI used it for a 2” dock line eye splice

I should have looked more closely at the photo, as the handle is actually cheap plastic. Also the metal is quite flimsy in use. I was wanting something wood or wood grain, like an artisan tool, for my rope work on the boat which I'm quite proud of. Alas, it works, but I hide it when other people are around

Works fine like the last ones I have had.

Just what I wanted have used it a few times and does exactly what I want it to do.