Welcome Home...THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY

iKnife Collector

The online community of knife collectors, A Knife Family Forged in Steel

Marlin Spike knives -- Folding Riggers and related Sailing Knives!

Above is my Rough Rider Marlin Spike knife in White Smooth Bone The Scrimshaw work was done by TX Force O'Brien. The scene is the Mermaid of Warsaw. (more on that knife later!)

---

I think it is the idea of traveling around the globe is what brings a certain mystique to the sailing knife. When I come across an old sailing knife I try to imagine who might have used it, where they may have gone, what they may have been through. When getting a new one I wonder where it may go, what it might be called upon to do and how other like-minded souls will put it through its paces and test the steel of its blade and spike. The sailing knife just seems to naturally exude adventure and daring unlike that of any other knife.

What is a sailing knife? It is a knife designed for use onboard a boat or ship, especially a sailing vessel; with a primary purpose to cut line, untie knots or any other day to day job while at sea. Most people are familiar with the Marlin Spike knife or the folding riggers but there are several other knives that were made for use on board boats and ships or by people who spend their lives on or around a body of water. The sailing knife goes by several names, some you may have heard, while others may seem obscure.

Most of the modern folding sailing knives, often called a marlin spike knife, can trace their roots back to the British Pattern 6353/1905 clasp knife that was adopted for service use in 1905. This was a large frame (almost 5 inches/ 120 millimeter) knife with a large spear blade, small punch and very intimidating marlin spike. Surprisingly the knife was used by all branches of the British military on land, sea, and later air!

The 6353/1905 pattern knife is itself similar to early rigging knives used in the 19th century. A smaller frame pattern which has become a standard pattern used by many American companies is a variation of this 6353/1905 that was adopted for American Maritime service in 1942. It has changed very little since the adoption. Still other versions were adapted and modified for the civilian market. Over time new steels were introduced and ergonomics and the sailor’s needs further tweaked designs.

Despite the adaptions one thing remains universal with most of the folding marlin spike knives; the familiar Z pattern the knife make when the main blade and marlin spike are moved to the half open position. And while some companies continue to churn out the tried and true traditional patterns, other companies do nothing but try to perfect the perfect sailing knife!

Let’s see some sailing knives! It doesn’t matter if they are folding or fixed, with or without the Marlin Spike. If you have a knife that was made for use at sea, show it off!

5 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 14, 2015 at 20:19

Of course you know the definition of a properly tied knot is a knot that will not loosen under tension but will release easily once tension is released -- meaning if you tie your lines correctly (at least when rappelling you won't fall to your death but you should be able to undue your rig without a spike. Marlinspikes are used on tough lines and when you need to separate strands, loosen seized lines, a tightening lose lines/knots. I might need to leave a demo to all of its uses to a real sailor or marlinspiker instead of collector and former rappelling teacher! Now you're really making me regret not going to air assault school!

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 14, 2015 at 21:01

Marlinspikes were also used to loosten knots that were tarred.

Got a list of some knot tying books, on PDF, that may show spike usage. I know that the Ashley Book Of Knots in there.

Permalink Reply by Syd Carr on April 14, 2015 at 21:27

Did a YouTube search for "Using a marlin spike", and came up with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCrfJt4rPg.

Short & sweet, it has what looks like Japanese subtitles, but the guy did a pretty good demo with a piece of rope without talking.

It's obvious that the world needs Tobias to do a better one!

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 14, 2015 at 21:33

Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on April 14, 2015 at 21:36

I agree, neither of these is done with the flare our Tobias can do

Permalink Reply by Bryan OShaughnessy on April 14, 2015 at 22:12

Tobias! Tobias! Tobias! Tobias! Tobias! Tobias! Tobias! Tobias!

Syd Carr said:

Did a YouTube search for "Using a marlin spike", and came up with this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozCrfJt4rPg.

Short & sweet, it has what looks like Japanese subtitles, but the guy did a pretty good demo with a piece of rope without talking.

It's obvious that the world needs Tobias to do a better one!

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 14, 2015 at 22:14

Well I'll think about a couple videos on things to do with your spike but in the meantime you can also look at my video on how to use a lanyard:

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 15, 2015 at 1:22

Although what this fellow uses looks more like a screwdriver, to me, he demonstrates the use of a marlingspike in seperating the strands and putting in an eye splice. (At about the 3 minute mark)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FngYhux5hwM

I can't say too much, I used a nail set when I started working with knots.

I was cheap.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 15, 2015 at 4:40

Works fine if you always cut in one direction.

Tobias Gibson said:

Well I'll think about a couple videos on things to do with your spike but in the meantime you can also look at my video on how to use a lanyard:

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Fred OBrien on April 15, 2015 at 4:49

I think I have to stop following this thread and maybe leave this site entirely before I lose my sense of humor. You folks really should shut the computers down and head to the coast. It doesn't matter where. Any port from DownEast Maine to Key West. Talk to the real sailors there and learn something about being at sea sometimes for weeks at a time. You won't get that on your computer. Talk to the real knifemakers all along the way. They build the knives that the schooner bums want. You won't find them on Youtube. Some don't even have electricity. Then you can come back here and talk about what you have seen, not what you read. Just don't go with the attitude you already have all the answers because they won't even talk to you. Good Bye

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on April 15, 2015 at 6:27

Sorry you feel that way Fred. I do talk to real people and there are actually real knife makers on in IKC. And as for having all the answers. I definitively don't have them! You at least got that part right! This isn't a site for sailors and old salts. It is a knife site that happens and htis thread happens to be discussing the knives designed for them and used by them. I'm sure everyone, and i know i would, love to hear from actual people who used these knives at sea. And if David Boye happened to drop I'd pick his brain about his knives!

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on April 15, 2015 at 8:37

Hey Toby, another knife breaking reference, from ABOK.

Fact, lore, I don't know...