diff --git a/include/cppkafka/clonable_ptr.h b/include/cppkafka/clonable_ptr.h
index 6f175ff..4f0f323 100644
--- a/include/cppkafka/clonable_ptr.h
+++ b/include/cppkafka/clonable_ptr.h
@@ -91,13 +91,6 @@ public:
         return handle_.get();
     }
     
-    /**
-     * \brief Clones the internal pointer using the specified cloner function.
-     */
-    T* clone() const {
-        return cloner_ ? cloner_(handle_.get()) : handle_.get();
-    }
-    
     /**
      * \brief Releases ownership of the internal pointer
      */
@@ -133,6 +126,13 @@ public:
         return static_cast<bool>(handle_);
     }
 private:
+    /**
+     * \brief Clones the internal pointer using the specified cloner function.
+     */
+    T* clone() const {
+        return cloner_ ? cloner_(handle_.get()) : handle_.get();
+    }
+    
     std::unique_ptr<T, Deleter> handle_;
     Cloner cloner_;
 };
diff --git a/include/cppkafka/header_list.h b/include/cppkafka/header_list.h
index 384fce5..1d3b3b0 100644
--- a/include/cppkafka/header_list.h
+++ b/include/cppkafka/header_list.h
@@ -146,12 +146,6 @@ public:
      */
     rd_kafka_headers_t* get_handle() const;
     
-    /**
-     * \brief Clone the underlying header list handle.
-     * \return The handle.
-     */
-    rd_kafka_headers_t* clone_handle() const;
-    
     /**
      * \brief Get the underlying header list handle and release its ownership.
      * \return The handle.
@@ -310,11 +304,6 @@ rd_kafka_headers_t* HeaderList<HeaderType>::get_handle() const {
     return handle_.get();
 }
 
-template <typename HeaderType>
-rd_kafka_headers_t* HeaderList<HeaderType>::clone_handle() const {
-    return handle_.clone();
-}
-
 template <typename HeaderType>
 rd_kafka_headers_t* HeaderList<HeaderType>::release_handle() {
     return handle_.release();