DIY Marlin Spike

**HannahsDaddy** · 03-01-2010, 15:20

I like the knitting needle idea. What size should I use?

**stoikurt** · 03-01-2010, 16:14

I have some that are about 1/4" but on the last campout the strap tightened around one and made it hard to untie the knot even after taking the spike out. I just made some new ones out of knitting needles that are about 3/8" diameter and I think they will work better.

**eflat7** · 03-01-2010, 16:19

Originally Posted by beep

I used a tent pole repair tube/sleeve that I found at REI...

Me too. Actually they were the repair tubes from a WM tent.

**lazy river road** · 03-01-2010, 16:35

Ok I get the marlin spike and what they are used for. But why carry them and not just use sticks off the ground. The marlin spike does not hold the woopie sling the knot does (as Shug points out in his video). So all you need is something to tie the knot around. Just curious? Mabey its easier to use aluminum tubeing instead of sticks and I just dont know it bc I havent yet tried woopie slings but just curious trying to figure out what im missing.

WV · 03-01-2010, 16:40

Originally Posted by WarmSoda

I like it, very pretty toggles.

I wonder what other metal tubes would make good toggles that aren't as expensive as good stakes???

Large knitting needles are hollow. They work pretty well.

**Meteor** · 03-01-2010, 16:44

Originally Posted by lazy river road

Ok I get the marlin spike and what they are used for. But why carry them and not just use sticks off the ground. The marlin spike does not hold the woopie sling the knot does (as Shug points out in his video). So all you need is something to tie the knot around. Just curious? Mabey its easier to use aluminum tubeing instead of sticks and I just dont know it bc I havent yet tried woopie slings but just curious trying to figure out what im missing.

I've been wondering this too.

Can the sling slip off the knot? Does this happen much? I would love to try the whoopie sling with marlin spike hitch, but I would be thinking about that sling popping over the knot and suddenly applying the weight of a fully loaded hammock on the spike itself.

It doesn't seem that many of the things discussed to use as a spike could handle that kind of a load, so maybe there's another reason?

WV · 03-01-2010, 16:46

Oops. Didn't see that stoikurt beat me to it. My pipe cutter must be dull, because it compressed (squashed) one knitting needle I tried it on, so I used a hacksaw. The marlinspike seems plenty strong enough.

**exdiver** · 03-01-2010, 16:48

Knot tightens on the toggle, so a smooth metal object seems to work better than a found stick when it comes time to take down.

**rigidpsycho** · 03-01-2010, 16:51

I can't believe I missed this thread. I was just asking someone on her the other day if arrow shafts could be used for toggles. I have a couple of arrow shafts that I was trying to use as spreader bars for my neeting on my SBPRo. Now I can use them to make me some toggles.

**lazy river road** · 03-01-2010, 16:53

Meteor another great question, Ok, I dont want to Hijack this thread, MODS could you start a new thread with mine and meteor's posts in it pos labeled What is Safe to Use as A marlin Spike?

I like the use of a Aluminum arrow that seems very easy,