Marlinspike hitch

You form a loop in the cord and lay it flat on the part of the cord leading to the load. This standing part is then visible through the loop. The toggle is pushed over one side of the loop, under the standing part and out over the other side. So the toggle lies over the loop and under the standing part.

When pull comes on, the cord presses the toggle against the loop, and the loop traps the standing part against the toggle. Everything holds everything else in place. Without the toggle there is nothing to keep the cord in shape – which is why the hitch falls apart the moment you pull out the stick.

The toggle is right when it lies across the loop and the standing part visibly runs over the toggle. When you pull gently on the toggle, the cord should close snugly around it and it should not pull out as long as there is tension on the cord. There is no tail to trim; instead the toggle should stick out far enough beyond the loop on both sides.

To set it, pull slowly on the toggle until the cord lies snug. Only then pull hard. Check that the toggle stays straight and does not bend. A toggle that already flexes under moderate pull is too thin.

The most common mistake: the toggle is pushed only through the loop, not under the standing part. Then it is not trapped and pulls out on the first tug, and the cord closes into a simple noose. The second mistake is a toggle that is too thin or rotten and breaks under load.

It can also fail if the toggle shifts under pull and works its way sideways out of the loop. That is why it should stick out well on both sides. Bear in mind: the hitch is only as strong as the toggle. If you notice you need a great deal of force, it often helps more to take up the cord in several stages instead of doing it all at once.

Its main job is tightening: with lashings, whippings or wraps of thin cord, you can pull each round harder without cutting into your fingers. It is also handy as a handle on thin cord for pulling. It is also known as rungs of a simple rope ladder for objects – but not for people.

It is not a permanent attachment, because it only holds while the toggle is in place. It is unsuitable for high loads where the toggle could break. And for anything that carries or secures people: life-safety use only after proper training with certified equipment.

The name comes from the marlinspike, a pointed tool sailors use for splicing. With exactly this tool as a toggle, they pulled thin twine hard when whipping and serving ropes. In camp a piece of hard, sound wood replaces the marlinspike; at home a screwdriver or a sturdy pen works too.

When you pull hard, stand so that you will not fall backwards if the toggle breaks or slips out, and keep your face out of the line of pull. Gloves protect your hands further.