Push & Pull splicing needle
The splicing needle is made of stainless spring steel and is said to be particularly robust. Its application is comparable to the familiar wire loops. Thanks to the strong metal construction, the tool can also be used as a pushing aid for splicing fid. Three different sizes are available for rope diameters of 2 to 5 millimetres, 6 to 10 millimetres and 12 to 16 millimetres. The prices range from just under 20 to around 22 euros.
The splicing needle works well and makes a very solid impression. You should make sure you have the right size to hand. Due to the fixed eye of the needle, it is not as adaptable as a wire loop, so you should follow the manufacturer's instructions. For longer splices, the fixed needle body has a positive effect, as the cordage can be easily stowed on it. The splicing tool can also be used to push splicing fids forward in a braid.
Handhook for core-sheath braids
The hand hook is a picker that is angled at 90 degrees. It is designed for processing core-sheath braids and is intended both to make it easier to open the sheath and to remove the core. The hook is also designed to help tighten diamond knots. The splicing tool comes with an unpainted wooden handle and costs around 20 euros.
In practical tests, the seemingly simple hand hook proves to be very helpful. It makes it much easier to open tight, 32-plait sheaths than with a conventional fid alone. Ideally, you should work with both tools in parallel: the fid opens the sheath and the hand hook can be used to push the fibre strands to the side and unwind the core.
If you don't have a splicing tool on board, you are well advised to use a needle and hook. However, you should purchase all three sizes in order to be able to process material ranging from thin Dyneema shackles to thick mooring lines. Wire loops cover a wider range, but need to be replaced regularly if used regularly, as the wire breaks at the bend. It should be almost impossible to break the solid needle; the hand hook should also be almost impossible to break and should not be missing in any rigging bag.
