#marlinespike

#7, the marlingspike hitch. A marlingspike (or marlinespike/marlinspike, as they’re usually called today) is one of a sailor’s multipurpose tools. It can help pry apart stubborn knots, as well as untwist and tease open gaps between strands when splicing. But it gets its name from the use we see here. Marline is a wrapping of smaller, thinner rope or thread around the end of a larger rope. Like a splice (or melting the end of synthetic rope), this helps keep the rope end from fraying. The marline needs to be pulled tight, and that’s easier to do with a handle.

Lay your marlingspike (or desired handle) perpendicular across the line. Bottom of line in left hand, spike pointing left. Make a full loop with the line, up and over the spike. Then use the spike to come around behind the upper standing part of the line (from the right) and pull it through the bight. Push the spike further through, to hold this new bight in place.