A marlinspike (, sometimes spelled marlin spike, marlinespike, or rchaicmarlingspike) is a tool used in marine

ropework Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Ropework is used by seafarers, climbers and military personnel. Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippi ...

. Shaped in the form of a narrow metal cone tapered to a rounded or flattened point, it is used in tasks such as unlaying

rope A rope is a group of yarns, Plying, plies, fibres, or strands that are plying, twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have high tensile strength and can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger ...

for splicing, untying

knot A knot is an intentional complication in Rope, cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including List of hitch knots, hitches, List of bend knots, bends, List of loop knots, loop knots, ...

s, drawing tight using a marlinspike hitch, and as a toggle joining ropes under tension in a

belaying pin Properly securing a line to a belaying pin starts by leading the line under and behind the base of the pin to begin the figure-8 pattern left, Lines coiled and secured by belaying pins A belaying pin is a solid metal or wooden device used on tr ...

splice. Marlinspikes are usually about long but may reach or more when used for working heavy cables and ropes. They are usually made from iron or steel, whereas fids, similar in shape and function, are formed from wood or bone. Historically a separate tool, the marlinspike is integrated in specialized versions of folding

rigging Rigging comprises the system of ropes, cables and chains, which support and control a sailing ship or sail boat's masts and sails. ''Standing rigging'' is the fixed rigging that supports masts including shrouds and stays. ''Running rigg ...

and

pocket knives A pocketknife (also spelled as pocket knife) is a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle. They are also known as jackknives, folding knives, Everyday carry, EDC knife, or may be referred to as a penknife, though a penknife may a ...

Sailor A sailor, seaman, mariner, or seafarer is a person who works aboard a watercraft as part of its crew, and may work in any one of a number of different fields that are related to the operation and maintenance of a ship. While the term ''sailor'' ...

s who become proficient at knot tying, splicing, and

sewing Sewing is the craft of fastening pieces of textiles together using a sewing needle and thread. Sewing is one of the oldest of the textile arts, arising in the Paleolithic era. Before the invention of spinning yarn or weaving fabric, archaeo ...

using the marlinspike are said to have mastered marlinespike seamanship, earning them the right to be known as ''marlin spikes'' or ''marlinspike seamen''.

Uses

Marlinspikes are used: * As a lever to: **open strands of laid rope when forming eyes or inserting items into the lay. **untie knots that have tightened under tension. **tension marline or rope using a marlinspike hitch, much tighter than by gripping the line with the hand alone.

Etymology

''Marlinspike'' derives from the practice of "marling", winding small diameter twine called marline around larger ropes to form protective whippings. The long-billed fish

marlin Marlins are fish from the family Istiophoridae, which includes between 9 and 11 species, depending on the taxonomic authority. Name The family's common name is thought to derive from their resemblance to a sailor's marlinspike. Taxonomy T ...

is thought to be named after the marlinspike.

Marlin spike gets its name from the small cord called marlin, which is typically tarred and used for the serving of rope. The fish
marlin Marlins are fish from the family Istiophoridae, which includes between 9 and 11 species, depending on the taxonomic authority. Name The family's common name is thought to derive from their resemblance to a sailor's marlinspike. Taxonomy T ...
actually gets its name from marlin spike.

References

{{Knots Ropework Nautical terminology fr:Épissoir

Uses

Etymology

See also

References