Marlin Spike Toggle...

**gargoyle** · 08-06-2010, 08:15

I will add...
Not all carbon fiber arrowshafts are created equal. Some are thicker walled than others. Being an archer/bowhunter I've seen this first hand. Seeing some splinter for no real apparent reason?? Not sure if the manufacturing differs from one brand to the next, just know it happens.
Same applies to aluminum. There are varying degrees of wall thicknesses. And grades of aluminum.

I've been using some cut offs from retired carbon golf shafts for the past few months with great success. During testing, I soaked one in a bowl of water for two days. Did not affect the strength of the toggle. Or show any sign of delaminating, then or since.
I'm using the thinner (club head) end of the golf shafts, not the big handle end.

**MacEntyre** · 08-06-2010, 08:23

I like using twigs... when you break camp, just break the twig right in the middle, watch it fall and yank on the bitter end of the tree hugger under the Marlinspike hitch.

**Lepmeister** · 08-16-2011, 08:59

I'm having good results with both carbon golf club shafts and alu arrow shafts. I too was a little worried when I started with the toggle set up. So I tied one and placed my total weight 95kgs off the one toggle and it didnt fail..

**TadTheTinker** · 08-16-2011, 09:31

I use two 3" sections of PVC pipe. Had some laying around the house after a project. I take the webbing and slide it through the tubing with an overhand knot to keep it on the webbing. When I break camp, I slide the tube out of the MSH and let go, it falls to the end of the webbing and I can't loos it. This also helps to keep my extra webbing off the ground and out of the way. I have never had any trouble with them.

Even after having my hammock setup at church camp with teenagers using it like a big swing, the toggles never gave. (One of the straps did which I thought was hysterical, but the toggles have held up fine.)

**Rain Man** · 08-16-2011, 15:56

I use these. I like multi-function gear.

Easton Aluminum Nano Tent Stake

I'd like to see some pics of the whole webbing v. whoopie sling holding the pressure on the "marlin spike toggle." Not sure I follow.

Rain Man

.

**Apollo2112** · 08-17-2011, 17:42

Anything that is not hollow should be fine as long as it can resist some small amount of pressure to break in half. Although I have not used them, wooden dowels should work very well, even very thin ones.

**muckypops** · 03-03-2015, 06:53

I found this thread very helpful. I was trying to decide whether to ditch my carabiners for the MSH. Now that I am fairly certain a decent stick will work with the MSH that's one less thing I have to carry. Many thanks to Grizz and the other contributors for the thoughtful explanation.

**Richard Tipton** · 03-03-2015, 07:05

Originally Posted by Apollo2112

Anything that is not hollow should be fine as long as it can resist some small amount of pressure to break in half. Although I have not used them, wooden dowels should work very well, even very thin ones.

Never had an aluminum arrow fail and it's hollow. So is PVC, Golf Clubs, Carbon Fiber Arrows, Slurpee Straws........get the picture. Don't get me wrong, solid works. I have a set of 3/8ths aluminum rods that I use sometimes, but I, like most others use hollow arrows. "Hang on zee knot, not zee toggle!"-Shug

**muckypops** · 03-03-2015, 07:36

Originally Posted by Richard Tipton

Never had an aluminum arrow fail and it's hollow. So is PVC, Golf Clubs, Carbon Fiber Arrows, Slurpee Straws........get the picture. Don't get me wrong, solid works. I have a set of 3/8ths aluminum rods that I use sometimes, but I, like most others use hollow arrows. "Hang on zee knot, not zee toggle!"-Shug

You used a slurpee straw and it worked?!

**Richard Tipton** · 03-03-2015, 07:50

Originally Posted by muckypops

You used a slurpee straw and it worked?!

They made aluminum Slurpee Straws for a while, I think some places still have them. Ask Shug, he still uses the straws. My point is, toggles must be able to resist a crushing force, and if a toothpick can do that, it can be used. That's a little extreme, I know, but arrows seem to be the norm around here, because they work! To truly be honest, I use Whoopie Hooks now so I don't need toggles anymore. I do make them for other people though, and when I do, I use aluminum arrows.