Page 130 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"

Marlinesoike Hitch

v Almost magic, this hitch is named

after the steel spike used to splice wire

and rope, but it works perfectly well
with any piece of round metal or

wood—a screwdriver or broom
handle, for example.
The marlmespike hitch enables you

to pull a thin piece of line without
cutting your hand, yet as soon as the

spike is removed the hitch disappears.
However, do note that the pull can

only be in one direction. If the line
pulls straight through the hitch, you
are pulling the wrong way and must

release and retie the hitch in the
opposite direction. It may seem like a

good idea to use this knot for the
rungs of a rope ladder, but my advice

is not to do so, as it is too unstable to
be safe.

Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices

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