Shackle opener?

Sean · **on:** March 01, 2009, 05:53:24 PM

Years ago I owned a buck knife and it had a Marlin Spike on it. I absolutely loved the knife but lost it. I found the marlin spike invaluable with knots in kids shoes, moving, etc. But what I don't know being not a mariner is what the "Shackle Opener" is used for? I have one of these knives on the way...

http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=sportsandleisure&product=53663&

and was just wondering. Thanks in advance.

sean

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2009, 06:19:07 PM

Dunc!

Mike · **Reply #2 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:06:48 PM

I have a Buck Yachtsman number 315 I used when I was a commercial diver, when I was topside. Like the one at the bottom of this page:
http://www.jaysknives.com/buck_2.htm

You can use it to open clevis shackles like these:
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=shackle&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Well, the ones with the holes in the pins you can anyhow.

Now the one you show on the SAK can slide on the outside of the shackle to open it. And the little slot at the tip is for working line, like splicing and whipping line or even mending sails if need be.

Mike

Leatherman123 · **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:08:08 PM

They can be found where an anchor and the chain connect.

Gareth · **Reply #4 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:14:03 PM

If I'm getting this right then the long teardrop shaped slot on the opener is used as a spanner( much as some Atwood tools are). You put it over the exposed, flattened, end of the shackle bar and turn.

Dunc may be along to contradict me anytime now.

DOH! I should have read all of Mikes reply.

Mike · **Reply #5 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:15:53 PM

Quote from: Gareth UK on March 01, 2009, 07:14:03 PM

If I'm getting this right then the long teardrop shaped slot on the opener is used as a spanner( much as some Atwood tools are). You put it over the exposed, flattened, end of the shackle bar and turn.

Dunc may be along to contradict me anytime now.

DOH! I should have read all of Mikes reply.

Hey, you got it right though!

Mike

Gareth · **Reply #6 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:17:09 PM

Quote from: mike on March 01, 2009, 07:15:53 PM

Quote from: Gareth UK on March 01, 2009, 07:14:03 PM
If I'm getting this right then the long teardrop shaped slot on the opener is used as a spanner( much as some Atwood tools are). You put it over the exposed, flattened, end of the shackle bar and turn.

Dunc may be along to contradict me anytime now.

DOH! I should have read all of Mikes reply.

Hey, you got it right though!

Mike

LOL, thanks mate.

Sean · **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2009, 07:53:03 PM

ok now i've got the idea. thanks fella's appreciate it.

sean

DaveK · **Reply #8 on:** March 02, 2009, 02:11:32 AM

As a very keen and competitive dinghy sailor when I was a teenager (yeah I know that was a long time ago), my team and I used to "borrow" shackles as souvenirs from every sailing club we visited

Such a tool would have been very useful, and may have added to the dozens I accumulated over the years. I actually misplaced them all over the years and went looking for some last year. It seems that the once plentiful brass shackles are now incredibly expensive, but I picked up a few galvanized ones cheaply. They are really useful things, and I recently discovered that they fit very nicely in Byrd knife lanyard holes

Hopefully you can see in the pic that these particular shackles have the flattened profile so the shackle "key" can be used as a spanner like the guys said. These ones also have a hole so you can use something to apply more leverage. Very useful if corroded or rusted closed!

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #9 on:** March 02, 2009, 02:47:02 AM

Shackles are also used all the time in the entertainment industry. If you ever go to a show in a larger arena, you can count on there being hundreds of shackles holding the lights, speakers and truss in the air.

Dunc · **Reply #10 on:** March 02, 2009, 10:06:25 PM

Yep looks like you guys have it covered without me

I used to have a skipper and they are really good . I have a photo some where of me using the shackle wrench , I'll see if I can find it .

Dunc

Dunc · **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2009, 10:12:18 PM

Found it

Dunc

cliosguy · **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2009, 10:14:14 PM

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2009, 10:14:46 PM

I still think that's a cool pic

I'm sure you posted it over on Sosak a few years ago

Mike · **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2009, 12:19:25 AM

Quote from: dunc5 on March 02, 2009, 10:06:25 PM

Yep looks like you guys have it covered without me I used to have a skipper and they are really good . I have a photo some where of me using the shackle wrench , I'll see if I can find it .

Dunc

Well, it isn't official until you give the say so Dunc!

Mike