The Tools

Traditional tools

No sailing ship’s ‘hand’ was without his ‘fid’ and ‘marlinspike’ for essential work repairing cordage and rigging. Between watches sailors created 'fancy ropework'.

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small fid, Swedish fid sharpened and pointed and knife decorated with typical half hitching and turk's head designs. I use this set for key fobs etc.

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This is a British Navy set bought in Mevagissey a few year's ago. The knife has a flat blade for cutting rope on a block using the end of the heavy marlinspike below (with a rope loop). Both would be attached to lines on a the belt for safe working aloft. The knife blade is a traditional design. All pointed blades were snapped off by the bosun to avoid fatalities. I use this set for the larger ropes.