Dubbing needles or bodkins are timeless tools, simply a stout needle set in a handle. Mostly now we use them for placing a drop of varnish on the head of a fly, actually they have other uses – picking out dubbing fibres, splitting or holding thread, separating feather fibres … In short, when I need a fine accurate point or a smooth surface to hold thread in tension (assuming my needle isn’t clarted in dried varnish) I reach for a dubbing needle.

So, what do I want from a dubbing needle? My list would be: a sharp point for accuracy; a stiff strong needle so I can dig into tight dubbing; a smoothly polished surface so I don't chaff thread; a handle long enough to hold the whole thing like a pen. John McKay’s Dubbing Needle scores a bullseye on every point – plus this it light, sits nicely in in my hand and the turned yew wooden handle looks rather good!