I’ve used the splice for 20 years and never had one fail. I use leaders 18-20 feet and don’t like the others knots that catch guides. This year I’ve landed three trout over 10 lbs one of which was 16. That splice was over two years old. My splice is slightly modified from Dave’s and is easier. I always stretch the butt section including the splice before I fish and never had a splice fail. I’ve had some come free right after I do the splice when checking the security of the splice.