Bodkins
The bodkin is a family of bladed weapons and specialized tools that developed in Europe during the medieval period and retained relevance into the modern era. Its name derives from the Old French *bodin* meaning “pointed knife” or “socketed nail.” The term generally refers to a short, rigid blade with a spear‑like point designed for penetrating tightly spaced armor or for piercing holes in sheet metal, cloth, or bone.
During the 14th and 15th centuries bodkins were mounted on certain swords—most notably the bastard sword, short
In later centuries, the term bodkin expanded to include a narrow, elongated needle used in surgical and
The word also appears in textile manufacturing. Here a bodkin is a stiff, metal or wooden pin