As an old shallow water Coasty, I'm very deliberate about rigging. As such, I've opted for the Safety Thimble on the Power Wagon. Getting rid of the cable and going to rope and a Safety Thimble was very high on my priority list.
Going too fast or reacting spontaneously like I did once can result in death or dismemberment. While rigging a 5" houser to tow a ship in Alaska I saw the line get hung up on a hatchway on the fantail. I went out to try and kick it loose at the exact monent in came under strain. Turned into a big bow string - I remember seeing the bridge wing go by at 48" above the waterline. Landed in pancake ice in 29 deg water. If there hadn't been a boat in the water to ferry the line over, I'd have been dead.
I was stationed in San Fransisco at YBI, and ran a 41' UTB for 2 years as Coxswain. We were on a 24 on 24 off schedule. We were always tired. Very tired. Being deliberate was part of staying safe. I learned that hard way about that. Doing SAR meant we were alway rigging lines, clearing lines, etc. I've seen more stuff come apart under load than most - primarily failures in cleats or worn/chaffed line. But, I've also seen some pretty interesting failures with hooks. There is a reason sailors always bind a hook with wire if possible.
Using a shackle and Safety Thimble works for me - it's as close to failure proof as I can get.
As a 10 year sailor... I will second everything said.
I run only the thimble on mine. I have shackles, and know how to use them. I have seen hooks snap, even when moused properly. Mousing doesnt add strength, only prevents the something from falling or slipping off the hook. Mousing will help to prevent straitening though. We also had to measure out hook openings frequently. We also had to measure cross section of wire rope to check stretch. If X amount of strands were broken in within a length of wire rope, it would be condemned.
Wire rope can be field repaired.... IF YOU KNOW HOW...... NOT something you should take lightly. BUT, the same goes for the splicing of regular line........ BUT, you can use a simple knot effectively, and safely, in a short interim.
I have seen mooring lines part, and take deck fixtures off a ship......
Either way, be safe. Take care of your equip.
I would like to see some serious information, and training available, to people, so they can be able to repair their wire rope, or synth line.... SAFELY. While not rocket science, its not something that should be attempted for the time, out on a trail.
Chase