Awl too tight or blade too big??

[MtlBiker]

12 hours ago, TomE said:

Yes, the 145 has the same chuck as the other hafts I listed and it "holds all Osborne awls."  It's as good as any of them.  You're correct about the definition of haft and awl.  If you're new to sharpening an awl, I follow Al Stohlman's method and stroke on a stone or wet/dry paper moving back and forth parallel to the long axis of the awl.  Need to watch carefully that you keep each of the four faces flat on the sharpener.  I strop on the grain side of heavy veg tan coated with green jeweler's rouge.  For stropping, I draw the blade towards me and move slightly sideways away from the cutting edge.  You will end up with a diamond profile that has 2 cutting edges and 2 obtuse noncutting edges.  Takes time but once you have a really sharp awl it will be a pleasure to use.

Yes, I'm new to sharpening awls.  What was your first clue? 

Is that in the Stohlman book on hand stitching?  I'm slowly working my way through that, with of course too many YouTube videos thrown in.

I'm finding my eyesight makes it hard to see the cutting edges on the awl.  Probably need a new prescription and glasses.  SIGH

[chuck123wapati]

3 minutes ago, MtlBiker said:

What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger!  Right? 

One of the challenges is to find a supplier in Canada, or at least one that doesn't charge more for shipping than the cost of the item.  And I'm very much dependent on information on sellers' websites.  And of course this great site!  Thank you (and others) for your great help!

 

i understand your purchasing problems completly i live in Wyoming a state witha total population of just over 500,000. my town has a walmart and one grocery store. the next closest town is 100 miles away and has a walmart and maybe two grocery stores lol. the closest Tandy is 150 miles over two mountian passes that are not fun in winter.When i was young it was even more desolate so i learned at a young age to make, make do or go without.

[tsunkasapa]

19 hours ago, MtlBiker said:

This is the second awl I have bought which doesn't seem to be correct...  This one is an Osborne 141 Awl Haft.  I also bought three Osborne awl blades (2 1/4" 57mm, 1 1/2" 38mm and 2" 50mm) which were indicated as the proper ones for the 141.  But they don't fit!!  If I unscrew and remove the threaded locking collar I can pry open the jaws barely enough to get the awl blade in, but then I cannot replace the locking collar.  SIGH  Is it possible that they sent me the wrong products?

(I had a similar problem with the Tandy no-name awl haft and their blades, but by using pliers to force the blade into the haft I managed, but IMHO a blade should fit easily and then should be able to be tightened.  But the Osborne one is simply no go.)

Surely this isn't the way it's supposed to be.

A pass or two on each face of the base with a file. Do one pass, try it, do another until it will slip in.