pigsteak wrote:why is the splice such an issue for manufacturers? I only own two pieces of webbing today and they are both maybe 6 footer. not like people go out and buy 200 feet of continuous webbing...or do they? I say it is easier to educate store workers than all the climbers..and just have a big warning label on the spool to start.
There already are big warning stickers on the spools about the splicings. I actually specifically looked when visiting a gear shop, after I heard about the accident involving the spliced webbing about 2 years ago. But obviously this isn't enough.
I do get the fact that the store clerks working in gear shops often know nothing at all about climbing or webbing application. But I think the concept of "do not sell two pieces of this string as one continuous piece" is easy enough to communicate and to train the store employees for. Again, of the retired old ladies working in the fabric store can grasp the concept or remnants, odd-length pieces, and so on, I am pretty sure young kids working the counter in the gear shop can do it, too.
Doesn't mean that you shouldn't be educating new climbers, too, or that climbers aren't ultimately responsible for their own safety and for how they use their gear. Doing both is better than doing one.
Getting rid of the splicings on the spools would be even better. Just don't put any tape on them, tuck the tail in, and continue spooling-- is it really that hard for the manufacturer?
