18.3.6 Thimbled or Hard Eye

A thimbled, or hard eye, is an eye which is made around a heart shaped thimble to give internal protection to the eye and to maintain its shape. It is used where terminal fittings are made onto the sling or where conditions are arduous and it is desirable to protect the inside of the eye from abrasion. (See Figure 18.3.6-1 ) Larger thimbles, known as reeving thimbles, which permit one eye to pass through another may be fitted when a sling is required for use in choke hitch.