kwelna Report post Posted January 21, 2014 I recently purcahsed a "Slim" Douglas Awl from Sherridan Leather. Let me first say that Sherridan is great to deal with and the awl is SHARP, polished to a mirrror finish and of excelllent quality. When I frist got it, I did not think it was all that sharp, I was expecting a more extended point, I was wrong. It slides through 2-3 layers of 6-8 oz very nicely with light to modeate pressure. I am very happy with both Sheridan and the awl. That being said, it is larger than I was expecting and makes a fairly large hole on the leather. I will definitly use it for all my messngert bags, holsters etc. But there are times when I want a smaller hole, So I am back in the market for a smaller\thinner awl of compairble quality and sharpness right out of the box I would like an awl that will produce a diamond shaped hole that is is at 1/3 - 1/2 the size of the sherridan awl which punches a good 1/8" hole. I have tried to make my own with little success. I would rather pay more the first time for quality that less multiple times for junk. So once again it is time to shell out the $. Any suggetions? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
J Hayes Report post Posted January 25, 2014 So I've read that sometimes one can stack leather washers on an awl blade limiting its depth thus making a smaller hole, maybe it'll work for your situation. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
terrymac Report post Posted January 25, 2014 You might check out "fineleatherworking.com" They carry a number of Vergez-Blanchard tools and they have an awl that compliments their 9 stitches per inch pricking iron. I am guessing it must be fairly small to fit the pattern. It is only $19.00, it just might work. Terry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwelna Report post Posted January 27, 2014 thank you both for your input and ideas. I will try/check them out Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted January 30, 2014 thank you both for your input and ideas. I will try/check them out I am currently using the blanchard 38mm awl and would recommend it, although it does need to be sharpened on a stone. Stitching with the awl at 9spi works fine for what I'm working on, but most awls do not come in sizes below 30mm. The only ones i know of that are roughly 25mm are from good japan under the name Siewa professional awl . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rayban Report post Posted February 4, 2014 (edited) I ordered a replacement blade from Douglas (Sheridan leather actually, that is where I was directed when I called Douglas) and I ordered a medium as I had when I first ordered the awl...I too noticed that the new medium is larger than the first one. No deal breaker here as I only hand stitch when the machine can't get to those hard to reach places, so it works out ok. Edited February 4, 2014 by Rayban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
