Usage
The Marlinspike Hitch is a secure temporary hitch that can be easily spilled by removing the toggle. It is great way to put a temporary handle into rope where you need more leverage. It is also one of several ways to secure spars in a rope ladder.
History
The Marlinspike Hitch derives its name from its use with a marlinspike, a tool commonly employed in marine rope work. A marlinspike is a polished metal pin, tapered to a rounded or flattened point, and was traditionally used by sailors for various tasks such as unlaying rope for splicing, untying knots, tightening marline (a light two-stranded rope) using the hitch, and acting as a toggle to join ropes under tension in a belaying pin splice.
Also known as
- Marlingspike Hitch
- Boat Knot
- Rope Ladder Knot
ABOK
Structure
Topologically the knot that forms the Marlinspike is a form of the
Overhand Noose, but in practice this hitch is not allowed to collapse into that shape.
