Introduction And A Question About A Little Tool Problem

[BuckeyeGuy]

Hello Everyone,

I am an older retired guy from Ohio. I am interested in guns and knives and other guy stuff. Of course, when you find yourself in need of a holster, or a sheath, or a cell phone cover, it's not always easy on a very small fixed income to just buy or order one. Hence, here I am, introducing myself to you fine folks.

I have almost completed my first project, an IWB holster for a revolver. My current project that I had just gotten to the stitching portion, is an iPhone 4 case. So here I am using my awl to punch holes on this bright sunny Sunday (if you recall, I live in Ohio where the sun can be a rarity) and BAM the handle comes off of my Tandy awl! I guess I'll have to make a trip to Tandy Leather tomorrow to replace it. I'm just getting started in leatherwork and as you all know, purchasing the tools to get started can be overwhelming, especially on a fixed budget, so I have made many very recent purchases from Tandy, as well as Hobby Lobby, and Others.

I guess I have two questions! Is there a way to repair the awl? And, is there maybe a different suggestion as to the awl to purchase?

Sorry for being long winded!

[JAZZMAN]

Welcome buckeyeguy, you do not say which awl you have, my guess is if it is a wooden type then yes normally you can fit a new blade by putting the new blade in between two copper coins in a vice and then tapping on the handle. If you take it to tandy i am sure they would help you with this.

[Tugadude]

They should just replace it for you. Good luck on your new hobby!

P.S., if the blade came off because it is getting hung up in the leather, it needs to be sharpened most likely.

[terrypen]

Hey welcome to the club!!! I know what you mean about about the fixed income and these tools will nickel and dime ya to death!!!

Assuming you are talking about a diamond awl, then what Tugadude said is probably correct.... I had to polish my C.S. Osborne diamond awl quite a bit, now I have to be careful that I don't go too far through the leather.

I would think Tandy would replace it if it's not too old or beat up.

Good luck

[camano ridge]

I agree with the above if it is a recent purchase they should replace it. If not and you want to stay with that awl, fill the hole with epoxy and force the blade back in as deep as you can. If you have to buy a new one I would recommend the one with a ferule this will allow you to change awl blades when needed. Whether you stay with the old awl or get a new one you will need to sharpen the blade. Even new ones from Tandy do not come sharp enough.

[BuckeyeGuy]

Thanks guys for being so gracious and informative. I plan to head out to Tandy this morning. I sat here thinking for a moment (yes I know thinking can be dangerous lol) and I seem to recall it was more difficult on this project to push the awl through. I guess I thought maybe it was something to do with the leather. I am using 7 to 9 oz veg tan. I bought a shoulder while on sale at Tandy. So maybe it was the fact the awl was dull. I had not considered that. I hate being a newbie! But then again it's so much fun lol!

The awl that I have is the Tandy 3217-00 scratch awl. I think it was like $4 or $5.

May I ask what are some of the ways you sharpen them?

[camano ridge]

Ok, if you are going to Tandy, you do not want a scratch all you want a Diamond awl (the blade has a diamond profile) A diamond profile gives you the best hole for stitching it will also go through thicker leather (if sharp) easier then a scratch all. A scratch awl is round you only have a fine point at the end to pierce the leather then you have to force the rest of the shaft through to open the hole. Also while you are at Tandy get a piece of bees wax. Rub the blade of the awl on the bees wax you will find it goes through the leather easier. If the blade starts to drag rub it on the bees was again.

[JAZZMAN]

Hey buckeye, it sounds like you need a bit of help with regards to sewing, as camano said above you need a diamond awl for stitching, if you have not seen them yet look up Nigel armitage on you tube, he is a master leatherworker and he has some fantastic videos about hand sewing leather. Hope they help, it can be frustrating being new to any craft but stick with it and the rewards will come.

[zuludog]

I'm sure there will be several helpful replies here. You could also put 'leather awl' into the search box of YouTube.

But it shouldn't be too difficult to make the hole on the haft smaller by fitting a sliver of wood then fit the blade, according to the method given in books, videos or elsewhere on this forum

Something else to consider is using a stitching chisel. This is essentially a set of prongs like awl blades on a handle, the whole thing is a single piece of steel. You hammer it into the leather and probably won't need an awl, or perhaps just to tidy things up. A 4 prong with 3 mm spacing should get you started. Have a look at Tandy's website, they seem to be about $12 to $14

There is a good video on YouTube about them. Put 'Armitage Leather' into the search box then scroll around to find 'Pricking Iron Review Part 1 Tandy'.

Just read your second post. A scratch awl, aka round awl, is used mainly for marking out patterns on leather, or teasing out existing holes. To make holes for sewing you need a saddler's awl, aka harness awl, which has the slightly flattened blade, often called a diamond or rhomboid cross section.

Don't get the 4-in-1 adjustable awl. It's not very good, and is quite expensive. As you have a round awl, all you need is a saddler's awl.

See if you can have a browse round this forum, or YouTube. As you are able to get to a Tandy store, don't just buy something straight away, explain what you want to do and if the staff are any good they should take the time to have a chat and advise you.

If you can get to a Tandy store I assume you live near a decent sized town, so ask at the library if they have any books on leathercraft.

[terrypen]

The awl that I have is the Tandy 3217-00 scratch awl. I think it was like $4 or $5.

May I ask what are some of the ways you sharpen them?

What everyone else said! On a budget, I would/did buy the Finesse stitching chisels from Springfield Leather. I still had to polish them up a bit but I am happy with them and they are inexpensive. Not the same quality as the high dollar ones but they work and have improved my stitching tremendously. I would also buy some Tiger thread, it is tons better than the stuff Tandy sells.

Hope this helps!