Members celticleather Posted July 4, 2009 Members Report Posted July 4, 2009 I wonder if we've uncovered some kind of cultural/traditional difference here between the UK and the USA. I was always taught that sharpening and polishing one's awls and knives was part of the job - much like twisting and waxing thread. I can't think of any UK saddlers or leatherworkers who would even think of buying pre-polished awls - even if they were available over here (although it's not a subject that has ever come up for discussion, so I may be wrong!). I've never been particularly impassioned about awls. I see them as just a necessary part of the toolkit, which occasionally - and quite annoyingly - get broken, usually through misuse! I always keep a spare blade sharpened and polished . . . experience has proved that they never get broken except in the middle of a job! Perhaps we don't have a Bob Douglas over here (or do we?), but I've been sharpening and polishing my awls for the past 30+ years, so I'd find it difficult to change now. So long as my awls produce neat, perfectly diamond-shaped holes, without too much effort, I'm happy. I've been flattening out one side of my awls hafts for the same number of years. It helps to prevent them from rolling off the bench, and also acts as a reference point in the hand, to keep the blade at the correct angle. Quote When everyone is somebody, then no one's anybody
Members ChuckBurrows Posted July 4, 2009 Members Report Posted July 4, 2009 With all due respect to Mr. Douglas, Mr. Main. Mr. Beard, Mr.Watt, and others who offer quality als and other tools to the trade, I basically agree with celticfury - been doing this craft for 48+ years and sharpening/polishing my cutting tools (as well as building/adapting others at times) has been part and parcel of the craft - but then again I'm also a knife maker and learned how to sharpen/polish/adapt/make my own blades in particular back when many/most of the fine tools we have offered today weren't quite so available........ FWIW - I bought my last two awl blades, Osbornes, about 20 years ago and sharpened/polished them at that time - it took all of 15-20 minutesper blade. I'm still using the first one with just some minor touch ups along the way with the other in reserve.....as for easing one's awl through tough leather, I use beeswax just like those who came before me did and taught me to do.......I have also had the chance over the years to use the awls from Mr. Douglas (I dearly love his rivet setting tools) and others - they are fine tools and if you do not have the skills or inclination to sharpen/polish them, than by all means take the plunge when/if you can........... As always different strokes........... Quote Wild Rose Trading Company Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
Members Rayban Posted July 4, 2009 Members Report Posted July 4, 2009 Btm. line is this...you sharpen/polish your awl blades when and if you have to.....with the BD, you simply don't have to, he's done it for you....as I would expect him to for the $25 he gets for them. Quote Raybanwww.rgleather.net
Members KcKenny Posted July 6, 2009 Author Members Report Posted July 6, 2009 Well, I took some advice this weekend. I drilled out my Osbourne haft and reinserted my blade with a little epoxy. I noticed the blade was marred and almost blackish in some areas, YUCK! I bought a buffing wheel and some polishing compound for my bench grinder. The epoxy should be at full strength tonight, at which point I'll take to cleaning up that blade. Quote Thanks to all of the artists who are willing to share their experience.
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