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

ropework Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are traditional umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippings, and proper use and storage of rope. While th ...

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

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

for splicing, untying

knot A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...

s, drawing marline tight using a marlinspike hitch, and as a

toggle Toggle may refer to: * Toggle mechanism *Toggle switch *Toggling harpoon, an ancient weapon and tool used in whaling to impale a whale when thrown *A type of textile closure, like an elongated button * Toggle (Doonesbury character), a character in ...

joining ropes under tension in a belaying pin 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

fid A fid is a conical tool traditionally made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope and canvas in marlinespike seamanship. A fid differs from a marlinspike in material and purposes. A marlinspike is used in working with wire rope, natural ...

s, similar in shape and function, are formed from wood or bone. The marlinspike may be a separate tool or one item on a

pocket knife A pocketknife is a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle. They are also known as jackknives (jack-knife), folding knives, or may be referred to as a penknife, though a penknife may also be a specific kind of pocketknife. A typ ...

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. The profession of the s ...

s who become proficient at knot tying, splicing, and

sewing Sewing is the craft of fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with 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 fabr ...

using the marlinspike are said to have mastered

marlinespike seamanship Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are traditional umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippings, and proper use and storage of rope. While th ...

, earning them the right to be known as ''marlin spikes'' or ''marlinspike seamen''.

Uses

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

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 about 10 species. A marlin has an elongated body, a spear-like snout or bill, and a long, rigid dorsal fin which extends forward to form a crest. Its common name is thought to deri ...

is thought to be named after the marlinspike.

References

{{Knots Ropework Nautical terminology fr:Épissoir

Uses

Etymology

See also

References