So few people know how to splice that a marlinspike has fallen into disuse.

Even if you do know how to splice rope, most contemporary rope is not laid so cannot be spliced.

I see marlin spikes from time to time and think back to the time when I used to make rope and splice rope. I don't miss the care required to coil laid rope and keep natural fiber rope from rotting.

The marlinspike is going the way of the buggy whip. No buggies so need for whips. No laid rope, no need for the spike.

Must be getting old.