How do we make one?

You can make a fid in a few minutes for very little cost. As follows:

1. Get a length of polybutylene 18mm water pipe – this costs about $3/metre (which would make 10 fids) from any plumbing supplier or hardware store.

2. Cut off an 18cm length with a fine bladed hacksaw making sure that the ends are ‘square’.

3. Mark off the pipe 5cm from each end.

4. Cut between the lines as shown using a fine toothed hacksaw.

The cut needs to be straight and smooth. To achieve this clamp both ends of the pipe on top of a piece of scrap wood (so you can cut down into it). Then use the clamps as a ‘blade guide’ to keep the blade in place whilst cutting vertically down.

5. All that’s left is to remove the rough edges from the completed fid using fine emery paper.

What is a fid?

A fid is a wooden, bone or plastic device to hold open the lay (strands) of a rope whilst it is being spliced.

Why do we need a fid?

When splicing you need to hold the strands of the rope apart whilst feeding another strand between them. To hold them apart you need to apply quite a lot of force to untwist the rope. For an adult with the typical scout 8mm lashing rope this isn’t difficult, but for a Scout – who’s not as strong and is also trying to tie an eye splice or backsplice for the first time – it makes it all too hard.

Completed fid in use