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marlinspike?

Mack

Mack

Expert Ultracrepidarian
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Aug 19, 2007
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39,372
I never leave home without at least one marlinspike. Anybody else?
I can really imagine one like this made by one of our custom makers with extra steel.
Since I got my first, I can't imagine not having one.
myerchinmarlinspike.jpg
 
Ooooh very nice. Do you use it often? What do you use it for mostly? I find all kinds of uses for mine.
 
Well mostly for rope and cord untying. But it is good for stretching holes in leather and whatever else. I think it has more uses than I can think of.
 
Doc that is cool.
Has it seen much use? (tongue firmly planted in cheek)
 
It's one of those things that I keep on meaning to get but I don't have the money when I think about it and I don't think about it when I have the money. I like playing with rope and cord, learning different knots and stuff so I know a marlinespike and a fid or two would come in handy. I usually just use a pen or pencil or pointed stick or whatever else I have readily available.
 
It's funny, you hear about marlinspikes with mariners often but not much with outdoorsmen (although we are often both). I would think that with all the paracord we carry I would see more on this site. Tying and untying, in addition to all its other uses to me makes it indispensible.
 
i had never thought to make one, but i guess i will with some scrap steel i will have laying around...would you say i should harden it or leave it annealed?

i don't often use a marlin spike, haven't ever really felt the need. i mostly keep my knots simple and easy to untie after they have been loaded, and if they aren't i just point a stick or use the corkscrew from an SAK to pry it apart.

i do like to keep an awl handy for scribing lines and poking holes though, rather similar.

so it seems like most marline spikes are slightly curved and have a slightly rounded tip...are there any features you wish were there or weren't there?
 
siguy said:
i had never thought to make one, but i guess i will with some scrap steel i will have laying around...would you say i should harden it or leave it annealed?

i don't often use a marlin spike, haven't ever really felt the need. i mostly keep my knots simple and easy to untie after they have been loaded, and if they aren't i just point a stick or use the corkscrew from an SAK to pry it apart.

i do like to keep an awl handy for scribing lines and poking holes though, rather similar.

so it seems like most marline spikes are slightly curved and have a slightly rounded tip...are there any features you wish were there or weren't there?
Click to expand...

Great question. The one in my pic above is 7 inches long, slightly curved with a rounded tip. It is I believe 440c and probably hardened but I am not sure on that.
I have had others that were pointed and have had many puncture wounds to prove it. Thin rounded tip would be best.
The only thing that would make this one better would be filework or knurling to the grip end. They do get slippery.
 
pro,
thanks for the tips, i will keep those in mind if i ever get around to messing with these...
 
Salamander42 said:
It's one of those things that I keep on meaning to get but I don't have the money when I think about it and I don't think about it when I have the money. I like playing with rope and cord, learning different knots and stuff so I know a marlinespike and a fid or two would come in handy. I usually just use a pen or pencil or pointed stick or whatever else I have readily available.
Click to expand...


Hey Salamander,

You don't need money for a Marlinespike.

forphotobucket-antlerbodkin.jpg


The upper Whitetail antler tine works as a marlinespike, in fact it serves double duty, in that the taper is somewhat slower than a traditional marlinespike which makes it useful as a bodkin for opening up the weave in wicker baskets, which I use it for.

BTW, the tip of the bottom tine is 4 sided to use it as an awl when making holes in bark for lacing, etc.

Regarding untying knots, most of the knots I tie are slippery so they're not a problem to untie in any case. In something like constrictor knots, a toggle can be included in the knot and then removed to make untying the knot easier.

Doc
 
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I really didn't understand how efficient a marlin spike could be until I had a number of the old time ironworker riggers working with me on a large project. Not only did they show me a thing or two about knot tying, but I learned a few things about splicing large manila and synthetic rope using a marlin spike. Later, we took a class on sailing - there was the marlin spike again being used as an important tool for the rigging (nope, I was not a sailor).

I still use marlin spikes today, around the ranch, and I keep one in each of my tool boxes and larger survival kits.
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Hey Salamander,

You don't need money for a Marlinespike.
Click to expand...


Yep, there's almost always something that I can use to improvise one with. Haven't tried antler yet, but it looks like a good choice.

Dannyboy, I just know a few simple splices with three strand rope, but they're awful handy aren't they? I figure they'd be extremely useful in making and using your own cordage from natural materials, something I need to get out and try one of these days.
 
I need a marlin spike.....bad....


I really like tying "permanent knots"...turks head, monkey's fist, lanyards, etc.


And I really like getting them super-tight. I usually end up busting up one of my fingertips good. :foot:


What modern folders have marlin spikes?

This question has been asked before....been awhile...I remember seeing a really nice one somewhere...




I'm diggin the antler-tip spikes....great idea!


Dan
 
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