Gonnate Report post Posted February 14, 2009 Hi, I have a nice new diamond section awl by C.S. Osborne which I got from my local Identity Store, marketing Tandy things here in the UK. I hadn't tried one before & really began enjoying it, but only a short way into the project the blade slid out of the handle, (it's not meant to be an interchangeable one) and now won't stay in it. It goes into the hole in the leather fine, then simply stays there as the handle pulls away. I've tried gripping it in pliers to ram it in, wrapping some thread round the tang, it still fell out, a small paper sleeve round it, ditto, heated it & burnt its own way a bit further into the handle, ditto... am I just unlucky, or do they do this? I don't think I've been rough with it! Next, which sort would anyone recommend, please? - bearing in mind that being in the UK affects supplier choice. Many thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rawhide Report post Posted February 14, 2009 Hi, I have a nice new diamond section awl by C.S. Osborne which I got from my local Identity Store, marketing Tandy things here in the UK. I hadn't tried one before & really began enjoying it, but only a short way into the project the blade slid out of the handle, (it's not meant to be an interchangeable one) and now won't stay in it. It goes into the hole in the leather fine, then simply stays there as the handle pulls away. I've tried gripping it in pliers to ram it in, wrapping some thread round the tang, it still fell out, a small paper sleeve round it, ditto, heated it & burnt its own way a bit further into the handle, ditto... am I just unlucky, or do they do this? I don't think I've been rough with it! Next, which sort would anyone recommend, please? - bearing in mind that being in the UK affects supplier choice. Many thanks. Sounds like you need an awl haft with a chuck. These hafts come with a wrench that allows you to tighten the chuck jaws on the blade. I've attached a picture of one Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hilly Report post Posted February 15, 2009 I had the very same thing happen to me with my first Osborne awl. I waited about a month while they were on back order at my Tandy, FINALLY got it, and made exactly 2 stitches before the blade came out. Crap! I was really discouraged with it. What I did on the advice of a friend, was to take a tiny tube of super glue and fill the hole where the blade slipped out full of glue. Slid the blade back in, and put glue around the base of the blade on the wood of the awl handle. Haven't had any trouble since then with the blade slipping out. I just make sure to never twist the blade while I'm piercing the leather. Also, keeping the blade VERY sharp, and sticking the very tip of the blade into a chunk of beeswax before each stitch really helps the blade slide through without sticking. Of course, you could always buy a new blade/haft combo like Rawhide suggested.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gonnate Report post Posted February 15, 2009 Hi Rawhide & Hilly, both truly useful,and I think I'll give both a go, thanks! I'll probably try the superglue trick now, and see about a chuck model for the longer term. Now where did I put that beeswax?! ( I know I have a good lump of it somewhere & it only turns up when I'm not looking for it....) Best wishes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
