Marlinspike Skills

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Welcome

Marlinspike Skills

Marlinspike Skills is a supplemental training course
for adult Boy Scout leaders who are interested in

learning more about knot tying. The course is held at Camp

Belzer in the Crossroads of America Council in the

Indianapolis Indiana area; but is open to all registered Scouters.

In 2009, we had 39 Scouters from 9 councils and 7 states.

The Marlinspike Skills class is based on learning
how to tie many decorative knots along with a few
practical knots. You will also learn some great
teaching aids to use with your Scouts.

This course starts on Friday evening and is completed on Sunday

afternoon. The course is usually held the first weekend in March.

The cost of the course covers all the material that you
use and take home with you, cracker-barrel on Friday
and Saturday nights, three meals on Saturday and two
meals on Sunday. Snacks and the usual Scout drinks are
available at all times. You also receive a handout with
detailed instructions for all the knots. Staff and learners

stay in heated cabins in the camp.

The class is taught by Scouters who are experienced
instructors and seasoned knot tyers. Learners benefit
from the one to three teacher to student ratio and
hands on instruction.

The classes are small, 15 learners.
This is an unusual course in that class A uniforms
are not allowed, the dress is class B or C. There are
no ceremonies except the graduation. Music is
always on and we have real spare time at which you
are welcome to enjoy the staff displays and library,
practice what you have learned, take a hike or
whatever you wish.

Knots

The following is a list of the knots taught in in the course.

Constrictor Knot
Lanyard/Diamond Knot
West Country Whipping
Sailmakers Whipping
Needle and Palm Whipping
Seizing
3x4 Turks Head
4x3 Turks Head
Eye Splice
Eye Spice In The Middle
Flemish Eye
Wall Knot
Crown Knot
Manrope Knot
Matthew Walker
Double Matthew Walker
Ocean Plait
Monkey's Fist
Star Knot
Grommet
Tangle Knot
Square Knot
Crown Sennits
French Hitching
Moku Hitching
St. Mary's Hitching
Ringbolt Hitching
Running Ringbolt Hitching
Double Hitchings

IGKT

Many of the staff and several learners are members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers. Here is a photo of some of the members who were present at the 2009 course. For more information go to

International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT)
An association of people with interests in knots and knotting techniques of all kinds.

If you live in the United States, go to the

IGKT-North American Branch at

www.igktnab.org

All others should visit

www.igkt.net

2009

In March of 2009 we held our annual course at Camp Belzer in Indianapolis Indiana. We held three seperate classes. The MSIII class was held for the first time. Learners learned how to make two different Pineapple Knots, hand sew a small canvas ditty bag with lanyard and a rose knot.

Bill's ditty bag.

One of the learners, Bill Qualls, has posted a few photos from the III class. You can see them at http://www.caliberdt.com/~bill/dittybag/index.htm
Bill also has linkes to other photos he took at previous courses. Thanks Bill.

This is the MSI class of 2009.

The MSII class.

The MSIII class.

2008

In 2008 we had the opportunity to welcome Scouters from Ohio, Kentucky and Colorado for the first time. The basic class was bursting at the seams with 17 students. The advanced MSII class had 8 learners. In 2009 we hope to start the first MSIII course. The II and III classes are by invitation only. The basic course is a prerequisite for the advanced classes.

The following are photos taken by Bill Qualls. Bill is not on staff, but has attended the course four years in a row.

The Marlinspike Skills I class.

2008 MSII

A photo of Bill with his newest knife lanyard.

You can see all of Bill's 2008 photos at

http://www.caliberdt.com/~bill/Marlinspike2008/index.htm

2008 Class Photos

2008 MSI class.

2008 MSII class.

Members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers who attended this years course.

2007

2007 was a great year for the Marlinspike Skills course. This was our 10th course, and we had our 200th learner. The class had learners from 7 different councils and 4 states.

This was the 6th year that the class was also held at Prairielands Council in Illinois. In that time we had the pleasure of teaching over 60 Scouters. In 2008, the training staff at Prairielands will present their own knotting program. We wish them well and thank them for the opportunity of sharing our knotting skills.

Here are some photos from the Indiana course.

The 2007 class.

The Marlinspike Skills II photos.

This is Bill Qualls. He has posted his photos from the courses.
You are invited to view them at

www.caliberdt.com/~bill/Marlinspike2005

www.caliberdt.com/~bill/Marlinspike2007

The MSII class.

The 2007 Prairielands photos.

The 2007 Prairielands class.

Class Photos

2006 Prairielands Council
Marlinspike Skills Class

2006 Crossroads of America Council
Marlinspike Skills Class.

2006 Crossroads of America Council
Marlinspike Skills II Class.

March 2006 Crossroads Photos

Starting the Star Knot.

Finishing the Manrope Knot.

Hands on instruction.

Tightening the Star Knot.

Steak dinner on Saturday.

2006 Marlinspike Skills II

A few of the projects from the weekend.

Getting advice from one of the instructors.

Practice,

Practice

and more practice.

January 2006 Prairielands Photos

Instructors show the completed hitchings.

Prime rib for dinner with all the fixings.

Working on the Star Knot in small stuff.

All sessions start with basics.

The French Hitching.

Staff displays

Knot Photos

Constrictor Knot.

Ocean Plait.

Tangle Knot

St. Mary's Hitching.

Monkey's Fist.

Turk's Head.

Eye Splice.

3 Strand Cockscombing.

Marlinspike Skills II

At the March 2005 Indiana course, we presented a new course using the knots and skills learned in the basic Marlinspike Skills class. In the new course, you will make keyring fobs, knife lanyards, bell ropes and mats.