Wire rope thimbles - also called steel rope thimbles, cable thimbles or simply wire thimbles - are used in conjunction with other wire rope hardware to support wire rope eyes. The thimble eye supports the integrity of the wire rope and helps prevent pinching, crushing, and fraying. Thimbles reinforce the loop of the rope and provide a durable connection surface for rigging hardware like hooks and turnbuckles while wire rope hardware pinches the dead end shut.