Have you already replaced the new for the old
halyard yet? You want some 'extra' in the halyard just in case you lose the other end up the mast, but not so much that it is a hazard.I recently replaced our jib halyard by cutting off the snap shackle of the old halyard and sewed (a few stitches with sail repair thread) and taped the intersection of the 2 halyards and was able to pull the new one through with the mast up. I hear that a big paper clip and tape can achieve the same effect to connect the 2 halyards.What Steve said: burn the cut ends of line before use. Don't cut anything except as a last resort even though short lines are useful too. Lines that unravel their weave lose most of their strength.Step away from the sharp knife until you are sure.