The clean-taper (or buried) eye splice is superior to the standard sewn splice bc there's no bulky notch to get caught on any hardware as you climb and it lies neater against the pulley (see last two pix). They're all I use. I make them w a tight eye that stays put on the carabiner. For a hitch-climber pulley system I think about 30" is ideal but if you prefer a little shorter or longer I have a variety between 29 1/4" and 31", just let me know.