Best folding marlin spike knife?

C

cardimon

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Sep 20, 2000
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I'd like to get a folder with a marlin spike and sheepsfoot blade, but I'm torn between Myerchin and Camillus.

I like the Myerchin Model L377, Lightknife® Crew. I also like the Camillus U.S. Navy Marlin Spike.

Any recommendations or preferences would be appreciated.
 
I am not a sailor, but I got a Myerchin Lightknife for camping, since I get tired of breaking knots in rope and cinched webbing. I looked at the Camillus, but this seems inferior to the Myerchin.

I also looked around in vain for an all stainless version that I seem to remember from childhood. The only current version I have been able to find is a POS from China that sells for about $8 at various marine supply stores (I got mine from West Marine). It has a thin sheepsfoot blade, shackle key and marlinspike. It also has a massive, well made screwdriver permanently mounted at one end. I tried this baby out on my last camping trip, and for $8, it is a great tool. I have never found the locking feature on a marlinspike to be necessary. The screwdriver comes in handy, and the shackle key works great to move around hot grills and the like if you don't happen to have pliers around. I would never use the blade however, and I am currently planning to get out my dremel, knock down the edge so I can use it for prying.

If you really want to blow some money, look at the agrussell website. He has some nice rigging knives (serrated blade only). I have also found that yachting shops in sailing areas (like Annapolis and San Francisco) usually have the POS knives with much nicer handle material put on later (such as mahogany).

Good luck.
 
Originally posted by el cid
Go with the Myerchin. They are very well made for the money.
Click to expand...

First time I've ever seriously knocked a knife on BFC, but my Myerchin didn't hold up to salt water at all. It is a big piece of rusted "stainless" steel. Not a knife I would recommend for serious salt water use. If you are interested to see what one of there knives looks like after 5 years, email me and I'll do a scan....

Michael
 
I recently saw a Myerchin. It must have been the larger model as it was substantial in size and weight. I understand this is the only knife where the blade & fid both lock. It did have some rust, but looked OK. It was being carried by a Salvor.

I understand that some knives have the blade lock and some have the marlinspike lock.

I have always wanted a fid, but never got one. I have a stainless steel ice pick that is relatively thick at the tip, that I use as a substitute. Other possible substitutions, if used with care, might be a philips headed screwdriver, or the awl on a SAK.

One of my friends is a fan of inexpensive ones, as they always seem to end up in the drink.

Boye makes a Cobalt serrated sheeps footed folder that won't rust, but alas no fid. The French steel X15TN would probably be ideal if using a steel, as from everything I have read, it is very rust resistant. Boker uses this X15TN in a couple of otherwise indifferent knives--at least I have not seen any BF members lauding the fit & finish....

I would like to try on in X15TN, especially if the knife has a fid, but have not. It apparently is at least in the good category amoung knife steels, but I have not seen much user info. Apparently it is used by some high end surgical tool makers.
 
I bought a Camillus.
The price was right.
Black plastic handles, brass liners, 50/50 plain/serrated blade, and a wicked strong locking spike.
Wish I could've gotten a fully serrated blade, but they don't make it that way.
But, if I had the money at the time, I would've gotten the AG Russell Marlin Spike. Looks great but I never handled one. They have an oval hole in the blade to make opening easier. Not a one hand opener though. I think they go for about $75
Lenny
 
Originally posted by Lenny
But, if I had the money at the time, I would've gotten the AG Russell Marlin Spike. Looks great but I never handled one. They have an oval hole in the blade to make opening easier. Not a one hand opener though. I think they go for about $75
Lenny
Click to expand...

$79.00 - out of my league. I think I'll stick with Camillus. At less than $30, they're playing my song.
 
Sorry I missed this thread earlier-

I am an ardent knot tyer, and am constantly looking for these knives. At present I have 2 of the camillus. The blade does not lock, though the marlinspike does. On both it does have a little play, which is somewhat annoying when working knots.

I do not yet have a myerchin, but am hoping to get one soon. My understanding is that both blade and marlinspike lock. Also, they have severa models, in two sizes, both all steel and the usual plastic of some sort. Also, judging from the catalog, their sheepsfoot blades have a VERY slight belly to them, which is attractive to me because it will allow more precise cuts when you lay a piece of cord on a board or something to cut it. Finally, the Myerchin knives are listed as using 440C steel. I'm not sure of the camillus, but I believe they use 440A (Website just says "high carbon stainless"). See lots of other discussions on steel issues for comparisons, but I prefer the 440C.

One of the projects for my knotting page is a discussion of knives for knots. I've been putting it off until I get some of the myerchins to try.
 
I own two Myerchin knives and find them to be VERY heavy duty working knives. I was suprized
by the comments in this thread about rusting but can't comment on that as I have no experiance
at sea with these knives. What I can tell you is that for work these are he** for stout working knives
as intended. I've the "Alaska guide" (B400) and the "Kodiak Pro" (BH300P) models. I really like
the B400 because of the two blades. On both of my knives the all the "blades" lock. It's really
unique how they work. Try one.
 
Buck used to make an excellent marlinspike knife, I believe it was called the Yachtsman. I have one, and it is wickedly sharp and the locking marlinspike is as sturdy as could be. I you could find one used it would make a great knife.
 
I was sorting out some knife magazines a few months ago. One fell open to a page with pictures of some very styled folding knives with a marlinspike--Boker perhaps?? I have not gone back to find the magazine. Anyone know what I saw?

If it was Boker and they used X15TN steel, which they sometimes do, in knives that might be around a marine enviroment, they might be worth a look as an alternative. Unfortunately, the personal (as opposed to magazine) reviews of some of the Boker knives that used X15TN steel, tended to suggest the knife workmanship was not all that great in the folders.
 
Victorinox makes two knives that you might be interested in:
The Mariner and the Skipper.
Both are the large lock-blade type SAKs (like the Rucksack) but they have blue handles.
They have a shackle opener that the tip is a marlin spike.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
My father was an avid boater and loved knots. I don't have the mindset
for knots, but as a boater and fisherman I can tie the basics. When he passed away there were quite a few knives in his working collection. One is a "SEATEST, 100% Stainless Steel", made in Japan.
This has a Sheepsfoot blade and a folding Marlin spike. The rather
large bail allows for splicing on a nice lanyard, and when the spike is open, folding the bail locks it. This knife is probably 20 years old and was definetly used, but is still in very good condition, I would say "well made".

I have a scan if anyone is interested in seeing it, please e-mail me.

Win
 
Say Heah Guy, Yeah I have a older Myerchin Knife with the Marlin Spike but with the nail nick, and the handle it looks like black g-10 inlays, I also think the blade is 440C which has the most carbon out the 440 Stainless blades, I think for that reason it would be the least corrosion resistant. I don't use mine for anything but to undo rope, and paracord etc. so mine doesn't have any rust, but it's a great knife for what I use it for, I really like my older model. Mine look's like the B300 but with a nail nick.
 
AG Russell sells a nice one & so does fox knives. One model has the serrations on the front half of the blade, which appeals to me for some reason.
Extrema ratio makes one too with a neat lanyard set up
 
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