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 sword, and the spatha—to give users the ability to stab through the gaps of scale and plate armor that could not be slashed effectively. The bodkin point was often a shallow, wedge‑shaped blade about 4 to 6 cm long, mounted on a short handle. While the broader blade was intended for slashing, the bodkin point delivered a precise stab that could exploit weak joints or gaps between plates, thereby providing significant tactical advantage. These weapons were commonly used by infantry armed with lances.

In later centuries, the term bodkin expanded to include a narrow, elongated needle used in surgical and dental procedures to pierce tissues or bone. This medical bodkin played a role in early anesthesia and in the removal of dental stone prior to modern extraction techniques.

The word also appears in textile manufacturing. Here a bodkin is a stiff, metal or wooden pin with a flat reverse end that holds a yarn off the loom, ensuring proper tension and preventing twists. This industrial use demonstrates the versatility of the basic concept – a sharp, precise tool for piercing or supporting.