Tell me about your experiences with marlin spikes

cmd

cmd

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Feb 7, 2004
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I recently picked up a Camillus marlin spike with a half serrated sheeps foot blade on the other end. Its marlin spike has a simplistic but solid lock, the sheeps foot blade is a strong slipjoint.

This is a utilitarian tool but I do like it and so far it has been a great help with knot tying and rope work.

I asked to hear about others experiences with these over in the Camillus forum to no avail so far
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=465266
so let's hear about experiences and memories of marlin spikes in general.,

If you appreciate a folding marlin spike, please speak out.

Chris
 
I also have a Camillus marlin spike and have to say it's one of the most interesting knives I own along with fantastic craftmanship that would make NASA engineers drool...

Thumbs up to the the marlin spike.:thumbup:

Sunburst
 
I'm still using my Buck Yachtsman that I bought when I was in the Navy, way back in the late 70's. I have spliced a bunch of rope and cable with it, used it to untie cargo straps that had been tied together and used for a tow strap (go ahead, try it sometime) and even used it as an alignment tool when i replaced a clutch. It is a marvelous tool. I think i even used the knife blade a couple of times :D
 
I used mine quite a bit in years past when I was an avid rock climber. Great with ropes and knots.
 
I had two, both long gone. It was a much more easier manipulated tool than my old Spencer marlinspike. I saw the one with the faux jigged plastic handle, that was junk, the green handled one was much more comfortable. The Buck marlinspike outshines the Camillus in functionality, but the Camillus one was still a good tool. I carried it a few times, used it sparingly on the boat, didn't really have any large ropes to untangle, but it functioned great as a spike, and the sheepsfoot blade was a real help on rough current.
 
I've carried one since my days in the Navy years ago. The one I carry now was made from a grade 8 bolt, though you'd never know it to look at it. I carry it in the elastic side thingy on my Leatherman Wave's pouch. It has a short lanyard that I wrap over the pouch's flap so it won't drop through and get lost. I use it at least several times per week. Sometimes as a marlin spike, sometimes as an alignment pin, sometimes a pin punch.

I'm in the process of making two versions of a Commercial Fishing and Boating Knife. A stainless steel marlin spike with kydex sheath that attaches to the knife's sheath will be an option.

If you work around rope, line, etc. alot, they sure are handy.
 
I used to carry an all stainless knife called a "Yachtsmans Outrigger". it was my grandfathers. I am a commercial fisherman, or was, now I am moving on to a job as a fisheries observer (still get to go on fishing boats but with none of the back breaking work :D) This Yachtsman's Outrigger was one of the first knives I carried when I began working on boats (I was around 14 or 15- I'm a month shy of 30 now). I used the marlinespike to break knots that had snugged up fast from strain, splice large diameter lines, and as a pick to free up backlashes (tangles, rats nests or birds nests) in fishing reels when i was a mate on a charter fishing boat. I've heard (but never seen) about people using them as gillnet picks (a tool to aid in removing fish from monofilament gillnets) as well. I eventually retired the yachtsmans outrigger and now when I need a marlinespike (rarely- I can splice most sizes of lines without one) I usually use a long screwdriver.

I like knives with spikes when the spike locks. usually the bail unlocks them.
 
I currently use a Myerchin "300" folding sheepsfoot blade with marlinespike. In another thread I mentioned a "Fid" might be better than a marlinespike on a pocket knife, but have since learned the term "fid" has gone out of style. the main difference between the two is the true Marlinespike is for wires cable and is straight like a nail, and the Fid, while traditionally tapered, was made for fiber line and rope. The fid was usually made out of wood, sometimes bone or antler. The modern is usually slightly curved, probably to fit the back of a knife handle, and is made of metal.
Having said that, I will refer to the tool as Marlinespike here to avoid confusion.
I use my Marlinespike often, as a knot breaker and as an alignment tool, as mentioned by a previous poster, but also to bust open zip ties, as a wedge and as a push pin. It also allows me to quickly check electrical cords by running the cord over it instead of my hand, and as an impromptu door and window jam.
 
when doing seizing and wrapping with small stuff or twine, a marlinespike is indespensible as a tool for tightening the wrap. in fact, there are knots that specifically require a marlinespike or similar tool to complete.
 
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