In the 1960's, I was in Electric Shop. We were taught the Edison Splice (Lineman's) which was extremely strong. the only contraindication was that it made the splice extremely brittle.

We were splicing 12 AWG wire.

When utilizing the lineman's splice on multistrand wire we were taught to first separate the strands, then mesh the strands end to end, then wrap a couple of the strands as indicated, then wrap a couple more strands, and so on. The result was a very strong joint, tapered from thickest in the centre to thin where the insulation starts. The tapering also resulted in a neat joint when taped.

PS: I think we called it the Western Union splice.

You're probably right. It's been 60 years since I was in this class.

For a little perspective, physical strength of the joint shouldn't make one whit of difference unless you're joining a load carrying cable (meaning wire rope). The only exceptions would be in situations like the telegraph line example, where the splice provided the electrical integrity (no solder), and also the physical join of two wires, mid-span.

We don't often tow our cars with the electrical wiring, or expect it to support dropped milk jugs full of water. For any properly executed physical architecture, electrical wiring will never see tension loads that challenge the joint. Electrical integrity is a different question. Either a properly executed (with the proper tools & crimps) crimped joint or a properly executed soldered joint will support more physical stress than the wire and its insulation can be reasonably expected to endure. If soldering, the primary goal of any type of physical attachment is to prevent movement while the joint is being heated, wet with solder, and allowed to cool. A simple 'lap' joint that's properly soldered will support more stress than the insulation on the wire is likely to endure.

All joints have 'stress risers', whether crimped or soldered, and need support outside the joint on both sides to prevent fatigue failure at the joint. Quality crimps have *some* built-in strain relief outside the crimp, but the same protection can be added to soldered joints using heat shrink insulation.

FWIW, from about 55 years of building/maintaining electronics.

Sure, but strength and electrical integrity are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The joint I describe has both, with the added plus that it looks good.

For a secure connection I use solder together up to about #14 stranded, and then go to a split-bolt design....