Douglas Awl Question

[kwelna]

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?

[J Hayes]

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.

[terrymac]

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

[kwelna]

thank you both for your input and ideas. I will try/check them out

[DavidL]

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 .

[Rayban]

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