Is My Awl Still Too Dull? Photos

[Anacott Steel]

1337220172[/url]' post='248147']

I picked up the Osborne awl. Better than the Tandy but still needs to be sharpened on a stone. FWIW, like said above, go to a Good Tool Maker and spend the money on a Good Awl. Sheriden Leather has the Douglas Awls. They aren't cheap, but they're sharp and they work.

Jon

Jon - you go for the stitching awl or harness awl ?

Looking at both on the Osborne site, I would have picked the harness awl to punch diamond shaped holes. HOWEVER the name "stitching" awl has thrown me because I wan't to make holes so I can "stitch" right ??

[Bluesman]

Jon - you go for the stitching awl or harness awl ?

Looking at both on the Osborne site, I would have picked the harness awl to punch diamond shaped holes. HOWEVER the name "stitching" awl has thrown me because I wan't to make holes so I can "stitch" right ??

Really depends on what you are stiching. Call Sheriden they'll get it right.

[lightingale]

Osborne awl is in. HUGE improvement, even though all I did to sharpen it was strop it. The blade itself is considerably thinner, which seems to make it a lot easier to push through than the thick Tandy awl. The one I got was this one: Osborne #144 Stitching Awl. Keeping the parallel lines, the stitching looked even with no gaping holes. The only downside is that I can't fit both needles in at the same time, but with consistent attention to which needle goes first and where the thread lies the stitches looked good. Backstitching was a little difficult (had to use needlenose pliers to get the needles through) perhaps I need smaller needles.

I've heard people say the Osborne awl is "meh", so I can imagine what a difference a "real" awl will make over this one

(Trying to save up for Barry King's tools first, gosh the tool expenses add up quickly!)