Thanks for the input--tho I'm a bit disappointed as my new rope is safety blue. I can't seem to find any authoritative source on this splice, though it's the only one Sherrill's offers. Maybe that's a sign this is one best left to professionals (at $18 a pop, they better be professionals).
What have you learned about ropes that do lend themselves to splicing by the determined amateur (other than 3-strand)? I really like the feel of the safety blue.