Stone Creek™ Bodkin The most common use for a bodkin is to apply head cement to flies. The bodkin is also used to pick out dubbing, clean out fly tying tools, and even to tie on tippets. Bodkins are typically made of stainless steel or brass and have a sharp point on one end and a blunt end on the other. The sharp end is used to pierce the fly's head and to pick out dubbing, while the blunt end is used to apply head cement and to tie on tippets. When applying head cement, the bodkin is dipped into the cement and then touched to the fly's head. The cement will quickly harden, forming a durable bond between the fly's head and the thread. Bodkins can also be used to pick out dubbing that has become stuck to a fly tying tool. The sharp point of the bodkin can be used to gently tease the dubbing loose. Bodkins are also useful for cleaning out fly tying tools. The sharp point of the bodkin can be used to scrape away dried cement and other debris from fly tying tools. Finally, bodkins can also be used to tie on tippets. The blunt end of the bodkin can be used to hold the tippet in place while the thread is being tied. Bodkins are a versatile tool that is essential for any fly tier's tool kit.
