So I have a straitline rope. My question is how the heck are you guys getting the smaller extentions apart? They seem to have almost melted together. I don't want to shove something in between and pry. Is that what I should do? What are you all doing?
Where a loop of the rope goes around the other segment of rope, stick your thumb nail under it and sort of roll it back the segment of rope it is wrapped around. Work each loop a few times that way and it should come apart easily. I say roll because if you just try to pull on it with it being bound so tight it will not budge a bit. I would not use anything sharp to try and pry it apart as you can easily damage the fibers.
Regard your photo - you need just pull upper (exactly on your photo) loop in opposite directions and knot will be a loose enough for separate your rope. Also you can make this place wet. And this pulling may take some power but not so strong - just you will see as the knot became different. Sorry for my pronounce