Best Awl Design and Shape?

[evil510]

All of the years that I have carried a multitool, I often thought of the awl as a rather useless tool that never really saw any use. Not too long ago I did a warranty on my Juice XE-6. After doing some searches as to what people use their awls for, etc., I decided to sharpen the awl on my new Juice when it arrived. I have to say, I am a believer now. Since then, I have used it for quite a few things and quite like them now. I just acquired a Wave and started modding it. I didn't want to reshape and sharpen the large flat screwdriver or can/bottle opener. For me, it would be too short of an awl, especially seeing as there is extra space in there to store a much more substantial sized awl. So, I will be making one from scratch for my Wave. I would like to know which design and shape you all feel works the best and why. Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

~ evil ~

[donvito]

Vix Alox awl

[Zed]

I have to say i dont use a AWL much ,but i do like the one on the ST300,

paul

[Sea Monster]

Depends want you want - for leather punching or soft wood reaming the Vic awl works nicely,

for sewing or rope work you want a longer marlinspike style with a point, but not a sharpened ridge/edge.

For general abuse I tend to prefer the SAK/Smaller leatherman (PST) awl - I find the Surge/Core Awl a little scary.

[prime77]

Give me the awl on the old soldier anyday.

[evil510]

Seamonster, I will be using it mostly for reaming and punching holes. Have yet to use one for sewing or rope work....

Prime77, in your posted picture, which is the awl in the photo you are referring to? BTW, Thanks for the pic, good collection of awls.....

The awl bit I made for my Skeletool, did this hole in less than 10 seconds (1/4 plywood) which helped further my appreciation for awls. I often fabricate with plastic paneling and thin gauge aluminum and often need to make starter holes for a nibbler.....

[Medic82]

The awl from SOG

[prime77]

Starting with the Juice awl that you know it's two awls going counterclockwise. I would describe it as being similar to an icepick.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Got to be the Wenger SI awl, with the 93mm Vic effort being a close second

They really are like having a Makita drill in your pocket

[evil510]

Got to be the Wenger SI awl

They really are like having a Makita drill in your pocket

I came across a photo that that awl, not even knowing it was a Wenger SI. I reshaped and sharpened the awl on my juice to match. It works very well. I notice that awls are more or less around the same size in multitools. Do you all find them adequate or do you find that a bigger awl would be of a benefit? While the awl on my Juice and the bit for my Skeletool work well, even when used to the maximum width of the awl, the hole is not as large as I would like for my intended purpose.....

~ evil ~

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Got to be the Wenger SI awl

They really are like having a Makita drill in your pocket

I came across a photo that that awl, not even knowing it was a Wenger SI. I reshaped and sharpened the awl on my juice to match. It works very well. I notice that awls are more or less around the same size in multitools. Do you all find them adequate or do you find that a bigger awl would be of a benefit? While the awl on my Juice and the bit for my Skeletool work well, even when used to the maximum width of the awl, the hole is not as large as I would like for my intended purpose.....

~ evil ~

Well there fine for my need's, as I've never really had to drill anything beyond an inch

[Benner]

The Awl on the ALOX series is by far the best IMO.

[MultiMat]

Some awls for you Evil 


Awl from Bear & Son , not too bad but a little short for hole boring.


SOG Awl , nice shape & SHARP. I have not used my SOG awls much though as they have wanted to fold onto me/fingers 
On a locking SOG they would be top notch , not so good on my non locking SOG's. Not sure how strong the tip is though


Leatherman Awl from a Core, I think it is the same as a Surge. Not such a big fan of this style of Awl a bit too blunt in shape & not so good for hole boring.


Leatherman PST not very sharp & a bit blunt , easy enough to fix with a bit of sharpening though.


Awl on my 20+year old SAK Pioneer is a great one I reckon 


SwissTool's Awl on top Spirit on the bottom. I actually prefer the spirit's Awl to the Swisstool's, longer cutting edge & it has a general purpose hook thrown in too


My favourite Awl the Spirit , nice point & very strong. I would be concerned the SOG's Awl tip would be easier too snap 


My perfect Awl & why my Vic Spirit gets carried more than my Leatherman Pulse(does not have a Awl  )

[Sparkey]

Wenger SI. Hands down.

[thebullfrog]

I think the Surge has a decent awl, but I gotta give my vote to the Spirit as well. I've drilled some nice clean holes really fast with that thing. You say you work with plastics a lot: I used my Spirit awl to drill a small water drain hole in my car's spoiler (GM  ) and it took like 2 seconds to make a small perfectly clean hole.



On a side note: need to see the rest of that 510 lol.

[evil510]

Thanks for the photos Mat! Here is the Awl Bit for my Skeletool. It is more or less a mini version of the spirit awl (similar shape, profile). It is rather short and stubby but very effective as I made it with double sharpened edges. Part of the goal when making it was that it fit into the card for the bit kit.....

~ evil ~

BTW Mat, did you ever pick-up your airbrush yet?

[MultiMat]

Evil one how do you store your Skeletool's 'sting' 

Bob/J-Sews did a pretty cool awl mod as well;
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,1111.0.html


I am waiting too hear back from the AirBrush web store  , everything has been closed in OZ since Thursday 

[evil510]

Evil one how do you store your Skeletool's 'sting'  

Bob/J-Sews did a pretty cool awl mod as well;
http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,1111.0.html


I am waiting too hear back from the AirBrush web store   , everything has been closed in OZ since Thursday  

That mod came out very nice and sure would have saved me a few steps, not to mention time lol. Oh well, I don't mind fabricating from scratch, it's what I do all the time anyway. The Skeletool project is just about done so I have been focusing on making enough custom bits to fill up both cards in the bit kit that I will actually use .....

~ evil ~

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

The Awl on the ALOX series is by far the best IMO.

I'm with Benner...they're AWLsome 

[yud]

The Awl on the ALOX series is by far the best IMO.

I'm with Benner...they're AWLsome 

no doubt about it

It makes awl others seem AWLful

[evil510]

The Awl on the ALOX series is by far the best IMO.

I'm with Benner...they're AWLsome 

no doubt about it

It makes awl others seem AWLful

Anyone have any decent pics (or links to) this type of awl? Thanks!

~ evil ~

[yud]

The Awl on the ALOX series is by far the best IMO.

I'm with Benner...they're AWLsome 

no doubt about it

It makes awl others seem AWLful

Anyone have any decent pics (or links to) this type of awl? Thanks!

~ evil ~

give me a few min

[yud]

are you now AWL struck with the AWLsomness

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Y'awl took some nice photos there

[evil510]

are you now AWL struck with the AWLsomness

Indeed I am. Very nice pics. Thanks for sharing, Yud!

~ evil ~

[Benner]

Great pics Yud.

[Mr. Whippy]

But which is best overAWL?

[Chako]

Hmmm...

I have two MTs that I absolutely love the awl on more then all the others. Oddly enough, they aren't very expensive tools, but I think they got it right. These two tools have a very long pointy and sharp awl. I like the length, and have found that the long design can be used for so many other tasks. I have used the one tool outdoors a few times, and I was very impressed with this style awl.

The two tools I am talking about are the Outdoor Edge Trek Tool, and the Coast Pro Pocket Fishing Pliers.


From left to right, Victorinox Soldier, Trek Tool, Leatherman PST.



And here we have both the Pro Fishing Pliers and the Trek Tool .

[evil510]

Hey Chako, I am liking those awls. I am curious, how long is the longest awl and does it have a sharpened edge? Thanks! Gonna start the cutting hopefully tonight.....

~ evil ~

[Chako]

The longest, being the Coast tool, is 2.5" long.

These do not have a sharpened edge. They do have a very sharp point and the body is square after the initial taper.