Sharpening a diamond awl - questions

[Alaisiagae]

Thanks, @fredk, I'll give that a try. I'm also wondering if the leather is extra tough because it's been dyed and glued and I'm trying to pierce the glued part. Once the numbness in my thumb goes away (hope I didn't just give myself nerve damage from all that sharpening), I'll give it a try. I don't have cork, do you think a thicker piece of leather might work instead?

[fredk]

Use a few thickness of thicker leather, just folded over. If the blade goes thru suddenly it might just go into your finger, so fingers either side of where the hole should be. A cork from a drinks bottle, usually wine, or I use part of a cork sanding-paper block. Available at hardware stores for about $1. Its about 4'' x 2.5'' x 1'' thick. I cut a piece off and use that.

[billybopp]

Just now, fredk said:

Use a few thickness of thicker leather, just folded over. If the blade goes thru suddenly it might just go into your finger, so fingers either side of where the hole should be. A cork from a drinks bottle, usually wine, or I use part of a cork sanding-paper block. Available at hardware stores for about $1. Its about 4'' x 2.5'' x 1'' thick. I cut a piece off and use that.

I do love using a cork from a wine bottle, both as a backer when sewing and also over the awl blade to protect it when not in use.   You get to enjoy the wine then put the cork to good use as well.   Additionally if you drink the wine and quickly enough use the awl and cork you might stab a finger, but you won't care!   Your choice.   

- Bill

[jcuk]

Maybe just a good strop and polish to to finish off.

He says lifting a glass of wife sorry no cork where this wine came.

JCUK

 

Edited September 5, 2020 by jcuk

[zuludog]

11 minutes ago, jcuk said:

Maybe just a good strop and polish to to finish off

JCUK

 

Yes, that's a thought. You say you are a beginner - have you got a strop? They're easy enough to make, Search YT

[dikman]

5 hours ago, Alaisiagae said:

Thanks, @fredk, I'll give that a try. I'm also wondering if the leather is extra tough because it's been dyed and glued and I'm trying to pierce the glued part.

Yep. Dying veg tends to stiffen it, in my experience, and the glue definitely adds an extra layer of hardness. Try your awl on plain veg first, that should give you an idea of whether it's working ok.

[YinTx]

8 hours ago, Alaisiagae said:

So, I spent the past 1.5 hours working on this, started with 320, then 400, 600, and worked my way up to 2500 grit. I mostly followed Niel A's method. I tried rounding the tip, but then it wouldn't pierce the leather, so I made it pointy again. It goes through thick belly very cleanly, but I'm still struggling on some thin dyed veg tan. Well, at least I got a polished awl blade for my trouble.

How about a photo of what you have so far?  I just used my awl to go through two layers of alligator, one layer of bentex, one layer of Pelton, and three layers of Chevre Chagrin.  I wasn't happy with the results, but I was able to pierce all layers fairly easily.  And each layer has some contact cement in there...

YinTx

[Alaisiagae]

12 hours ago, YinTx said:

How about a photo of what you have so far?  I just used my awl to go through two layers of alligator, one layer of bentex, one layer of Pelton, and three layers of Chevre Chagrin.  I wasn't happy with the results, but I was able to pierce all layers fairly easily.  And each layer has some contact cement in there...

YinTx

It was tricky getting the photos, but here they are: top down and profile (side) views. 

[chuck123wapati]

I hold the awl still and polish it with 2500 sandpaper glued to a popsicle stick. You only need to get the tip sharp about 1/4" or a bit past the radius. I tried neils method but its very hard to move that small of edge evenly over a strop . paper or stone imo and keep the shape. Hold the awl still and the blade sideyou are working on flat then polish with the paper away from the spine& toward the edge. then turn the awl and do each four  sides. The tip is the most important part if you dont get the tip sharp it wont push through no matter how sharp the edges. Use a magnifier of some type.

[OLESKIVER]

you might also want to go to YT and watch the Don Gonzales video on awl sharpening. he explains everything in detail and is pretty straight forward. a good teacher. you might also wand to go to Weaver leather and click on the how to videos, then ask chuck to do or show how to sharpen one if he doesn't already have one. very good teacher, and very experianced.