[Oldschooner68]

Anybody have a better guide on how to properly use a marlinspike knife? I got this one for my birthday but this guide doesn't really give me good instructions: How to use a Marlinspike | Best Sailing Knife Reviews

Something with animations would be super useful. I feel like I'm the old dog trying to learn a new trick. I guess it's not new to most of you though!

 

[deltaten]

As the link states; the spike is used ion a lot of ways, none of which should need 'animated' instructions.
Primarily, the spike is used to un-lay strands to run others thru; ie:splice. I've used mine to tame unruly andtightened knots. The Victorinox :"Mariner" I have has a flat tapered tool to use as a spike.While not quite as efficient as a standard spike, it does trial duty as a screwdriver and shackleekey.
Other uses are only limited by you. imagination, physics and engineering

 

[paulk]

Before pop-tops, they were great for opening beer cans. It was a good idea to engage the lock first, of course, when using it for that.

 

[miatapaul]

They make a good pokey prody tool. You can use the spike to separate strands of rope for splicing, but that is advanced stuff. For every day use the most likely to be useful is to help untie knots that have been in a line for a long time. You work into the knot kind of following one end of the line, and just get it in there and kind of wiggle it, just a little bit. It will eventually loosen the whole thing up, and then you can untie it like your kid just tied it an hour ago.

By the way the website you linked to was basically useless. Hope it is not yours.

What knife did you get?

 

[gamayun]

They make a good pokey prody tool.

This is how I use mine, primarily to lift the corner of the sole boards that have just enough room to fit the spike into. The curve and taper are better than whatever you'd use a screwdriver for IMO. Of course, you could also use it to stab the head of any fish you catch....you know, a quick lights-out process. That's what I always thought a marlin spike referred to

 

[manatee]

Marlinspike Hitch | How to tie the Marlinspike Hitch

Marlinespike hitch

 

[scratchee]

If you find yourself using your fingernails to pull apart a knot, that's when you break out the marlinspike.