Information About

Marlinspike (ropework)




For splicing, the marlinspike is inserted into laid rope and levers open the braid into a larger hole, thereby allowing larger items to be inserted into the lay.

Marlinspikes may be required to untie knots that tighten up under tension. A very tight knot becomes impossible to pick apart without the spike, which may be slipped between the various pieces of line. Sailors also use a marlinspike as a small lever.

The word marlinspike comes from "marling", or winding rope into a knot to prevent slippage.
It also shares its name with the Marlin , a large fish with a long spike on the end of its nose.

Marlinspikes are also used for the splicing of ropes in Bell Ringing .

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In the English translation of the Tintin comics, Captain Haddock lived in a stately home called '' Marlinspike Hall ''.