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zuludog

Re - Using 4-In-Awl

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I have the 4-in-1 awl from a Tandy starter set but I don't like it as I find the handle is too small and I can't seem to sharpen the blades very well, though perhaps that's my fault

I have since purchased an awl with a fixed blade and a larger handle/haft, and that's much better.

I also purchased a couple of spare hafts and thought I might have a go at fitting the Tandy blades into them ( one broad and one narrow leaf blade), and try again to sharpen them.

Is it worth persevering, or should I just write them off as awl blades, and consign them to general prodding?

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Hi Zulu,

Maybe you can post a picture of what you mean? You might get more responses that way.

I have just bought Stohlmanns hand sewing book and I noticed that the handle on his awl was not circular in cross-section, but oblong. I copied this, because I was being cheap ad just to see what it was like. It seems to fit nicely in the hand, but I have not sewn with it yet. It literally took an afternoon to make a few. They are currently drying from being varnished. I will post later.

Alex

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I would give up on sharpening the Tandy 4 in 1 blades. However, dulled a bit they can make decent lacing fids and such. Even if the handle doesn't fit your hand for sewing, it might still be useful for holding a scratch awl, or something else that you do not use often!

Zuludog, many like to have their sewing awls not round. It keeps them from rolling off the table and through your foot. It can help them fit your hand a bit better. But most importantly, since the blade must enter the leather at just the right angle, it lets you feel with your hand exactly how the blade is oriented without looking!

Bill

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the steel of the tandy blade is very low quality.

Id imagine a blade thats made with tool steel (HSS) or stainless to hold the longest edge possible. I can't tell for sure but my vergez awls I'm using may be HSS steel or at very least high carbon steel, holds an edge for months before I need to remove a burr. You do need to sharpen for a few minutes on new awls to get a fine point and polish on the tip.

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