Marlinspike Hitch

The Marlinspike Hitch is a temporary knot that is used to turn the rope into a handle. Sounds interesting?

Here’s the deal: you just tie the knot, attach a stick or rod inside the rope—and you have got yourself a handle.

The name “Marlinspike Hitch” comes from the Marlinspike. It’s a tool used for this purpose, but it could be a rod, a cylindrical object, or a stick.

Let’s learn it in detail.

How to Tie the Marlinspike Hitch Knot

1. Make a loop in the rope.
2. Bring the loop to the right so that it crosses the vertical strand.
3. Pull the middle strand to the left.
4. Pass a cylindrical object through the loop.
5. Tighten the knot.

To untie this knot, just remove the object, and the knot will come undone easily.

Common Mistakes

This is where people mess up with this knot—loading the hitch from the wrong side.

Always load this hitch from the standing side and not the working side. Otherwise, it will capsize into an Overhand Noose.

Application and Uses

• Make handles to tighten other knots, particularly the Constrictor knot.
• Make a makeshift ladder.
• Used in the hammock suspension system and whoopie slings.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Quick and easy to tie
• Easy to untie

Cons

• Unstable when not loaded
• Can capsize and jam when not loaded properly

How to Make a Marlinspike Ladder

Now let’s put the Marlinspike Hitch to work by making a makeshift ladder.

The Marlinspike Hitch knot grips a pole to take the weight which allows you to use the multiple knots to create a ladder.

1. Make the Marlinspike Hitch as shown above.
2. Feed the object through the loop. 
3. Take a second rope and feed the other end of the object through the loop.
4. Repeat the steps to make a step ladder.

Make sure you take care of the following things:

• Always use the standing part to take the load. If you use the working end, it will turn into a Noose.
• Each rung should be horizontal to minimize the risk of the knot sliding off the rung.
• Always inspect the ladder after it has not been in use for long. Check for weakened rugs and loose hitches.
• Use the correct end as the top end and maintain a proper level.

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