Case XX Rigging knife - Need "marlin spike"

[ApacheCoTodd]

As says above, I have this sweet little Case "Rigging Knife" No. 147. The sheath is original and the knife s in pretty nice shape... fer lookin' at anyhow.

Originally, I had thought that it was supposed to have a sharpening steel. Now I find that as a rigging knife it is in fact supposed to have a Marlin Spike.

I've searched about for the spike alone, I can't find one. Tips to locating one or a knife maker capable of making a passable version would be appreciated. I'd like to use this in place of or addition to my often used folder.

You can see that this one got a lot of use as the handle hole is well and nicely hogged out from the spike loop.

 

[hso]

Wow! That's a very good looking knife.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Not mine. Mine's the poopier one on the left.
I only put the other photo up as an example of the spike I'm looking for.

 

[bigfatdave]

I like yours
Good luck finding it a companion

Perhaps some existing marlinspike or other tool could be modified?

 

[bigfatdave]

http://www.amazon.com/Myerchin-Knif...F8&qid=1412046322&sr=1-1&keywords=marlinspike

how long SHOULD the knife companion spike be?

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

http://www.amazon.com/Myerchin-Knif...F8&qid=1412046322&sr=1-1&keywords=marlinspike

how long SHOULD the knife companion spike be?

I'm guessing in the area of 4 3/4 inches +/-.

I'd sure like to find one with a fully round eyelet - do you think that Myerchin unit is curved? Thanks for the link DAVE.

 

[rcmodel]

There was a time a few years ago I could whip you one out in little time or expense at all.
Sadly, those days are gone now.
Wish I still could, cause if I could, I would!

Yes, the Myerchin unit appears to be curved.
But it could easily be made straight, and the eye shortened, rounded & polished.

It looks like a very easy place to start anyway.

rc

 

[bigfatdave]

The linked unit is curved, and that's about all I know about it.

Reviewers like the curve, it just isn't a ready-made mate for your knife. Others I found were BIG.

Maybe check smaller sailboat shopping spots?

 

[lemaymiami]

Read through this post then buzzed over to E-Bay and found 368 entries for "marlin spike". The vast majority were folding blades with marlin spikes but there were a few entries with just a single spike that might work as a substitute for what came with the original unit. Some the offerings (particularly the European ones) appeared very well constructed. Since I do a bit of rope work for the skiffs I work out of I've always improvised with just an ice pick for splices, etc. One of these days I'm going to have to break down and buy the tool actually designed for the job...

Very nice fixed blade by the way! If you do find a spike with a generous loop the first item I'd take care of would be a lanyard splice to the loop -then back to the sheath or into a loop meant to have a belt through it. You can almost bet that the original missing spike is in the water somewhere. Dropping any tool around the water means losing it (another one of those "ask me how I know" moments....).

 

[bainter1212]

I have a feeling, in the old days, dropping your blade or marlin spike into the water would've brought on some jocular remarks from your watch mates, some of them including the word "lubber".

Curious - how was the spike carried? A separate sheath or on the same sheath as the knife?

Edit: Correction. I see the slot on the sheath above.

 

[LemmyCaution]

The hole in a marling spike is not typically meant for a lanyard. It is oblong for a reason- it is a 'shackle cracker'- the oblong hole is meant to fit the flats on the clevis pin of a screw pin anchor shackle or chain shackle, as a means of wrenching the pin loose after it has been loaded, or tightening the pin, if one is inexperienced or too lazy to mouse a shackle.

 

[Piraticalbob]

Any competent blacksmith should be able to forge you a marlinspike in just a few minutes' time. A stock removal knifemaker could do it if you insisted on stainless steel (yes, I'm aware that some smiths forge stainless, but it's not common).

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Practical note from PRACTICALBOB...

I guess I'll have my man Andy 'smith me one. I can polish the iron later. Thanks.

 

[Willie Sutton]

Just do what we did for years, turn one out of SS rod on a lathe, and enjoy. These are for splitting line for splicing, and don't need to be terribly sharp. For the shackle-cracker on the end, drill two holes about 3/16'th of an inch apart and when connect them by cutting with a file. You're all set. They do not need to be curved but by heating with a torch can be put into shape to fit your sheath.


The *circular* hole in the one you showed a photo of is a lanyard loop. But the common oblong hole is for tightening small shackles.


Willie

.

 

[hso]

For anyone interested, "mouse a shackle" means to keep the pin in a threaded shackle from turning by securing it with wire or zip tie.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Somewhere in a bag or box around here is a marlin spike that I made from an engine valve . We'd also make them out of stainless bolts or stnls round stock for the Boatswain mates.

 

[lemaymiami]

HSO, that's a perfect illustration of the quickest way to secure (or 'mouse') a shackle. Of course if you only used galvanized shackles like I do your problem is the exact opposite... since once in place and used in the salt the darned things don't come apart easily at all -the usual tool I use is either a hacksaw or a Dremel with a rotary cutter...

 

[rabid wombat]

At one time, Kabar built a rope knife with a marlin spike (sheath not pictured). I do not see it in their current offer, but it could help you expand the search.

Best

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

At one time, Kabar built a rope knife with a marlin spike (sheath not pictured). I do not see it in their current offer, but it could help you expand the search.

Best

Yup, looks about right, thanks.

 

[Willie Sutton]

These folks make top-tier rigging knives.

I keep one of the their fixed blade sets with the separate spike aboard my boat for, well... rigging:


http://www.myerchin.com/


Here is EXACTLY what you want to buy:


http://shop.myerchin.com/A008-Myerchin-Marlinspike-A008.htm


It's their top of the line marlinspike with a shackle-breaker slot on the large end. It's the same spike I use and it's "best quality". I can vouch personally to its excellent design and construction, and am certain it will fit your sheath.



Willie

.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Thanks WILLIE

I didn't really want to get that one through Amazon and somehow my searches were fruitless. Must have some odd settings going at my end.

I'm going to call these folks tomorrow. Hope the curve fits into mu sheath slot. Even if it doesn't - nice price for the product.

 

[Willie Sutton]

It'll fit.

I had an old Sheffield England fixed blade rigging knife set with a cheap spike and a pair of pliers, in a leather sheath. Carried it for years. One day I took the knife and tapped the back of the blade with a wooden mallet to cut a 1 inch line (standard practice) and the blade snapped. Had a knifemaker in RI make a new blade. With the new blade I figured I might want a nicer spike and took the one from my Myerchin set and it fit perfectly. Bought another spike and now have two. The handle of my old knife and the sheath had such good honest wear and karma that I didn't want to toss them. The sheath design is almost exactly like yours, in size and shape. The Myerchin spike will definately fit.

Willie


.

 

[AJumbo]

What a perfect, no-BS working knife that is, even if you never set foot on a sailing vessel or a cargo dock.

 

[Willie Sutton]

To the OP, my curved Myerchin fit my sheath, but if there's any problem with it in yours it's nothing that heating to soft with an oxy acetelyne torch and then straightening on an anvil with a hammer won't cure.


Willie

.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Probably not an issue as my sheath is so worn anyhow. We'll see.