Sewn Amsteel probably stronger than end-for-end splice

I often sew Amsteel 12-braid Dyneema rope, especially when geometry requires and there isn't room for a splice.  I follow my own strict rules, use 100 lb test braided UHMWPE braided fishing line for thread, use lots of stitches (the rule for calculating stitches is 2x(strength of bare cord)/(strength of thread)), and test with analogues. This document describes one such test, with 1/8" Amsteel Blue (2500 lb average strength between eye bury splices).  This is just an indication, so I can proceed with my work.

Mariners use end-for-end splices to join ropes, because splices are easy to do with lots of training, and because end-for-end splices will run through pulleys easily (sewn ends tend to catch). But end-for-end splices take a lot of rope, and are not that strong. Note that the test described below is on just one strand of Amsteel, not a loop.  By comparison, if someone reports the strength of a continous loop, the reported strength if for two strands in a loop, inherently averaging a spliced and unspliced leg.

Below at left is the test set-up. A linescale 3 load cell is in the case at the bottom of the page, and is connected to a permanent ground anchor. The line at top is attached my jeep, which did the pull in about 2 seconds, probably not ideal for reaching maximum strength. The sampling was just 40 Hz, which may not have capture peak force.



The sewn connection broke at 2330 lbs, or ~93% of the reported average strength of 2500 lbs. I have broken eye-to-eye spliced Amsteel in this setup many times, and typically get about 2500 lbs for samples NOT connected by seewn sections.