Prank I smile about, finding tool for separating rope (11)

I believe the answer is:

marlinspike

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'tool for separating rope' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'prank i smile about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates an anagram.
'prank'+'i'+'smile'='prankismile'
'prankismile' with letters rearranged gives 'MARLINSPIKE'.

'finding' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for marlinspike that I've seen before include "Tool for separating strands of rope" , "Sailors' pointed tool" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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