Originally Posted by
TeeDee
If you have a knife with one of those blades for filing your finger nails, the newer ones have a little curved point on the end for cleaning under the finger nails.
That curved point works great as a marlin spike in a pinch. You have to be careful since it is not rounded like a true marlin spike is, but when the knot is really tight, that curved point can be carefully worked into the knot and work it loose. If you're already carrying the knife anyway, you always have it when you need it.