Decided/ing To Make My Own Awl

[rawcustom]

To be clear on my pricing those are estimates for the more average materials. Some species can cost substantially more and would be reflected in the end price. Here's some good examples:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/knife-scales-desert-ironwood-burl-lumber-exotic-wood-pistol-grips-/310896822882?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4862e50a62

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honduran-Rosewood-Burl-Pistol-knife-Scales-46-x-1-65-x-5-25-HRB1571-/310832587525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item485f10e305

And this is a good example of where you would get burned:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOODEN-STABILIZED-BLACK-PALM-KNIFE-SCALES-GUN-GRIPS-2-x-4-x-1-2-R6-/400671639133?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d49e4065d

The first two are going to be usable, the last is balsa wood at best and if you want to use it you will need to contract with a professional stabilizing service and drop another $15-$20 before you can start.

[scootinnc]

Sign me up and take my money!

[oltoot]

Me too. Send me instructions for payment

[scootinnc]

Well, I have received my custom made awl handle and blade and have to say that I am very impressed by the quality and detail in this new tool from rawcustom. Once I figure out how to post a picture on here, I will do just that. I cannot recommend him enough, and I love my new tool.

[Hi Im Joe]

Thought I would post some pics if anyone is interested.

Finished product.

How much to make me one? If you are even interested.

[JAM]

Very helpful, thanks!

[rawcustom]

You can buy tool holders from metal engraving and jeweler suppliers for under 10 bucks that will hold an awl blade

tool handle.jpg

And you can spend $75 on a Douglas handle as well, and from what I've read it's a good investment. But really why spend $10 when you can just wrap an awl blade in $1 worth of duct tape? Did you consider that option, or perhaps finding a branch, drilling a hole and $0.10 worth of elmers glue you have another handle. In short your post is not enlightening or helpful to this thread. I have listed my components and what they will cost and some would rather invest in a quality tool than the cheapest chicom alternative available.

[Hennessy]

i have seen a bunch of mex saddl mkrs make awls out of phillips screw drivers [i'm sure they heat treated them] even had one given me long blade n was good on binders but was'nt able to stay straight .

[glennaycock]

For anyone interested in making their own micro-tools cheaply, including chisels and awls, I buy music wire from local hobby shops, where it is commonly sold for control rods and such for a few $ a stick in various diameters. They are high-carbon steel that is easily cut, worked and hardened with modest tools and a blow torch.

You can flatten a rod by heating and hammering it on an anvil or other hard steel object, or use a grinder or sander to rough shape before hardening. Otherwise you might overheat and ruin the temper.

To harden, heat the tip using a blow torch until bright orange for a couple minutes. Then quench in oil (I use olive or vegetable) -- this helps with rust.

I'm not sure if it's necessary to temper such small items that aren't subjected to high breaking stresses. Sometimes I heat them in a toaster oven for a few hours, also in oil to stabilize and distribute the heat..

Finally, use a wet stone or water wheel to sharpen.

[robertmeco]

I have had one of rawcustom's awls for a while, I really like the way it fits the hand it works very nicely