Marlin Spikes - Show what you use!

abarnhart

abarnhart

Joined
Apr 3, 2006
Messages
455
My eldest is showing serious interest in knots... I am doing something right! I was digging in my paracord Rubbermaid and couldn't find my marlin spike.

So, I am on the hunt! Inspire me please!
 
marlinspikecover.jpg
 
I don't have a picture but I can tell you that with the a sanding belt, for me, marlin spikes are where old phillips head screwdrivers go to die.
 
Check out the Spyderco Tusk. Also check out the Grog Knots app. for your smart phone/pad.
 
I am a net maker by trade, i've never purchase a marlin spike, i just make them out of whatever is laying around. but i am interested in this thread, i've been looking for a custom bush knife/marlin spike combo for my belt...
 
I used to use spikes when hammock camping but lost too many, then one time when I lost one I had no way to hang the hammock so I tried putting a carabiner onto the hammock suspension and into the knot itself and it worked great and still comes off easy when the weight comes off. I've since moved to atlas straps but I still use it when I need a shorter distance than what the first loop in the strap accommodates for.
 
flytyer said:
I am a net maker by trade, i've never purchase a marlin spike, i just make them out of whatever is laying around. but i am interested in this thread, i've been looking for a custom bush knife/marlin spike combo for my belt...
Click to expand...

not custom
but some English brands have great sailing sheath knives with Marlin spikes in the same sheath
 
Nice suggestions! But, not nearly enough pictures... Even (especially?) if it is improvised!
 
Alright, I really liked Liebad's suggestion of a scratch awl. I went down to my tool box and grabbed my trusty Stanley scratch awl and used it for a couple of projects. Aside from snagging the kermantle like CRAZY (it is really sharp), it was a great tool.

So, I looked around online and found that Lowes was selling a Klein knock-off for $6. I headed down there today (against my better judgement... Black Friday is a bane) and found it... bonus: It was on sale for $3!



Now, as a scratch awl, the Southwire Awl would be horrible! The grip is great: a worthy copy of Klein's rubber grip. However, out of the package, the tip on it was dull. As dull as a ball-point pen or worse. That would make for a terrible scratch awl... but it makes for a PERFECT marlin spike! I had planned on sanding/filing down whatever awl I picked up, but it is totally unnecessary with this one.

Sorry for the lousy picture (hard to do macro with my phone), but here's the tip:


Finished a collar for my dog in record time with the new "marlin spike." And, I had very few snags in the kermantle (the ones that did happen were user-error).
 
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I had the hammock out this weekend and took a pic of the marlin spike with the carabiner in it, its working so well that I'm going to take out the rappel rings and start using two marlin spikes on the carabiner

IMG_20151205_163336555_HDR_zpscx40oeil.jpg
 
TheMadIndian said:
I had the hammock out this weekend and took a pic of the marlin spike with the carabiner in it, its working so well that I'm going to take out the rappel rings and start using two marlin spikes on the carabiner
Click to expand...

I must admit confusion... Where is the marlin spike in the picture?
 
Few more of my improvised marlin spikes. Made from (top to bottom) old screwdriver, old fork shaft, beech wood, nature shaped and polish wood and table knife handle. Top one I like the most.




Samek
 
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