Best stitching awl

[MADMAX22]

Hey guys I ended up getting a nice triangular stitching awl at tandy and must say it was far better then my round one for stitching. Really starting to bring my stitching to another level finally. Not great but better.

Now the issue is I broke it on my first project I was doing. So the question goes which ones do you guys prefer. This one they had seemed really cheap and I wasnt too impressed.

Thanks for any input.

Oh also what kind of metal are they usually made out of?

[TwinOaks]

As far as steels go, I'd suspect either 1095 or 5160. Both can be sharpened to a very nice edge, and while 1095 may hold that edge longer, the 5160 is commonly used for springs. Both can be given a good spring temper. I don't think the steel would have to be extraordinarily hard, as a scratch awl is, but would maintain quite a bit of springiness. That would help with the flex imparted as it's pushed through leather ( presuming the stitcher doesn't guide it perfectly straight). Common tool steel is also a good possibility, D2 for example, if you're dealing with hand made awls. L6, common to saw blades will take an edge, but tends to rust quickly and is therefore probably off the list. I'm almost certain some of our knife making members will also chime in with their suggestions...and I'm sure they're more knowledgeable about steels than I am.

Edited September 2, 2008 by TwinOaks

[jwwright]

Bob Douglass makes the best (by far) awls I have used. 307-737-2222

[MADMAX22]

Thanks for the advice/input guys.

Is Bob a forum member or have a shop somewhere?

[bruce johnson]

MM,

Bob isn't a forum member, but his daughter Vandy is. Bob lives in Sheridan WY. Vandy has Sheridan Leather Outfitters and sells her dad's tools also. That said, you can call Bob at the number JW listed or Vandy at SLO and get probably the best awl you'll drop into leather. It will come ready to use, with no further stropping needed before you take it to leather. He has regular and slim blade styles for finer stitching. When I talk to Bob, I always end up a little smarter than I was before. When you need some old hand tools, he's one of the first guys to call. He also has some hand tools he makes, but sounds like they are selling out and Bob is slowing down. One of the good guys in the business.

[Bob]

MadMax, it's common for us learning to hand stitch to break an awl or two in the beginning. If you should buy one of Bob's awl blades, you will very quickly learn how NOT to break one. Awl blades like most tools have their limitations, they all break sometime if not used correctly. I still have an osborne blade I got from tandy about 15 years ago, it gets well used too. I also bought a few of Bob Douglas blades and they're so nice. Unbelievable nice...

There's a learning curve we all have to work thru working with hand tools. That curve will pass much quicker if you spend good money on quality tools....

[MADMAX22]

Thanks for the insight and the recommendations guys. Looks like I may get a couple of cheaper ones and give Bob a call and get a nice one or two (two atleast) and play with the cheaper ones till I learn a little more. Then Ill play with the better ones once I get a feel for it.