In eye splice markings, what does X indicate?

• A. Extract
• B. Core insert point
• C. Taper
• D. Cover back into Core

Answer: (A)

Eye splice markings show you how the core and cover should be handled as you build the splice. The mark X tells you to extract the core at that point. In practice, you pull a short length of the inner core out from inside the rope’s cover so the tail can be laid into the splice or threaded into the standing part, giving the splice the correct fill and strength. This mark is specifically about pulling (extracting) the core, not about inserting the core, tapering, or re-covering over the core.