Marlinspike Hitch

Easy way to turn your rope into a handle or a ladder.

Written by Binod Gautam

Published on:

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.

Marlinspike Hitch Details

Type: Hitches

Other Names: Boat Knot, Marlingspike Hitch

ABoK Reference: #7, #559, #1186, #2030

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.

MARLINSPIKE-HITCH-STEP-BY-STEP
Image: Marlinspike Hitch Step by Step

Common Mistakes

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

PROPERLY-LOADING-THE-MARLINSPIKE-HITCH-KNOT

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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