Where can I get a marlinspike?

[karmazon]

I've became interested in knot tying after I encountered the IGKT stand at Toshiba Tall Ships festival in Dana Point. I was wondering where I can get a marlinspike. I live in Dana Point area. I couldn't find any online, except for ones on folding knives. I was wondering what stores carry them. Would any boating store have them, like West Marine? Also, how much are they? I don't want to spend more than 10 dollars on a big spike.

[skyout]

Tandy Leather Co. has some fids.
http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?DEPT=210&Page=2
You'll find marlinspikes here but they're a little more $ than you want to spend.
www.briontoss.com

[karmazon]

Thank you for the reply.

I thought about it, and wouldn't knitting needles work the same way?





Or a scratch awl ?

[skyout]

Although I'm not real experienced, I would think there are times those would work fine. I have read probably more than I've tied and will say when a special tool is needed you can't beat it. For example, take this fine work of a rope fender by fellow member Andre van der Salm:
http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=1135.0
Andre says:

A new piece of rope is added as shown in the picture. You really should use a hollow fid to do so.

So, I've seen these at this site of fellow member TWhitten, again a lot more than you wanted to spend, sorry.
http://www.marlinespike.com/tools.html
I think sears sells a wood lathe you can operate with a drill ... or maybe you can find someone like at a cabinet shop with a lathe to make you one or more.

If you're going to be doing smaller stuff like Turk's Heads on lanyards and such, check out the needles here.
http://www.knottool.com/custom_work.html
With cool video's of the needles in action here:
http://www.khww.net/news.php?readmore=11
I've read of members cutting the ends off of hollow metal knitting needles and threading their own.

Hope this helps!

[Andre van der Salm]

Hello,

The hollow fid showed in the picture is also known as Swedish fid. They come in different sizes and are not very expensive. You should be able to get a small one (15 cm long, 6 inch) for a few dollars.


take care
Andre

[PatDucey]

It helps to have a fid for the type of work you are planning on doing.  I'm not sure a knitting needle would work as a fid the way I sometimes use my fid.  I tend to pry with my fid after I get it between the lines.  I have been working with some 1/2" manilla rope, and a knitting needle absolutly would not stand up the kind of abuse I am asking of my fid.  I also have a wooden fid that I don't reef on like I do with my steel fids, and a sailing needle fid for intricate work.

Don't limit yourself to just one fid, the more knotting you do, the more you will see a need for different kinds of fids.

Pat

[Andre van der Salm]

I have a tool section on my website. Perhaps this can give you an idea of what kind of fid, spike etc you want.

http://home.tiscali.nl/knotsandknottying/tools.html

hope this helps


kind regards
Andre

[Takler]

Today I found this:

http://home.new.rr.com/theys/

What do you think about this?
I try to find a fid/spike for me, also

brgds

Marcin

[Andre van der Salm]

Hi Marcin,

Yes these fids and other tools are looking great. Unfortunately they are bit expensive,  not for my budget.

btw it's very well possible to make fids yourself. the only things you need are some nice pieces of wood, ie oak or ash, a good sharp knife, a steady hand and a lot of patience. Just start tapering the wood with your sharp knife until the desired shape and size is there, sand the whole thing....and there you have a good tool.

Here is one I made some years ago : http://home.tiscali.nl/knotsandknottying/knotpics.htm#marlpriem

take care
Andr

[skyout]

I have been keeping this thread in the back of my mind with all the other stuff in there and while searching still for better prices I found this.

frayedknotarts gave us this in another thread (http://igkt.net/sm/index.php?topic=977.0).

... http://www.rwrope.com  R&W Rope (Bob Dollar).   ...  Also a traditional rigging shop and access to most of the things you'd expect there: Stockholm tars, fine manilas, even better man-made manila-like cordage, hemp twine, marline, palms, needles, blocks,, etc.

They have Marlin Spikes here:
http://www.rwrope.com/traditional_rigging/Catalog2008/Davey%202008%20price%20list.pdf
1482/OO/150 SPIKE MARLINE 6" PENCIL POINT $ 19.06 ea
1482/OO/200 SPIKE MARLINE 8" PENCIL POINT $ 20.88 ea
1482/OO/250 SPIKE MARLINE 10" PENCIL POINT $ 23.32 ea
1482/OO/300 SPIKE MARLINE 12" PENCIL POINT $ 31.28 ea
1482/OO/350 SPIKE MARLINE 14" PENCIL POINT $ 32.26 ea
1482/OO/400 SPIKE MARLINE 16" PENCIL POINT $ 33.45 ea
1482/OO/450 SPIKE MARLINE 18" PENCIL POINT $ 40.50 ea

They also have the Swedish Fids
2478/SS/170 SPIKE HOLLOW STEEL 6.3/4 $ 19.50 ea
2478/SS/285 SPIKE HOLLOW STEEL 11.1/4 $ 23.53 ea

See here for pics:
http://www.rwrope.com/traditional_rigging/Catalog2007/Tools.pdf

Good luck and let us know if you find them in your price range.
From what I can find, I think to reach your $10 limit for buying a marlin spike you'll need some luck at yard sales. lol

[Pinrail]

When I need a tool to work a TH tight in small cord, I do use a stout little scratch awl I have.  I turned a conical fid for myself out of a oak dowel on a lathe.  To say the least, THAT was a learning experience.  My marlinspike, a very simple one, I bought online.  I found it at McMaster-Carr. 
www.mcmaster.com
Search for "Marlin Spike" on the site.  They are at the bottom of a page of rope and goodies.
6 inch spikes are about $15.  That was one of the best prices I could find when I was shopping for one.  They are high-carbon steel, so rust can be an issue, but I like mine, and it has served my small to medium duties quite well.  Convenitently, there is a lanyard attachment hole, which accepts a shackle quite nicely.  I used the spike to tie it's own lanyard, then attached it to the tool with a stainless shackle I picked up cheap at a local hardare store. 
I, for one, would love to see a post with what you end up finding.

Happy hunting!

-Abe

[Takler]

You thats right Andre,

After a long time of dreaming  , thinking and looking for a tool I decide to make it myself.

I need only few hours and I got it. The material is cooper 8 mm of diameter and 120 mm long.

brgds

Marcin

[skyout]

Looks good Marcin. Nice job!!!

[oceanplats]

he asked about a marlinspike....well i got have a dozen lignum vitae fids right next to me.
Just buy a round file and grind it smooth.

[Andre van der Salm]

Grinding lignum vitae fids with a file is considered a crime in my opinion!! 

Besides that a marlinspike is made out of steel, not wood so it will still be a fid after grinding....just my opinion

take care
Andr