Awl question

[Craig T]

There are many mods that add an awl to multi tools.  You folks that use awls, what do you do with them?

The style of awl found on SAKs with a sharp-ish edge and hole for sewing leather I have rarely used.  Cleaning under fingernails.  Scraping.  Ferro rod striking a time or two.

I carry a spike made from a 0.25" eye bolt.  Great for dealing with knots in string & rope.  A decent ice pick.  A great staple remover.  Many more uses.

Some awl mods look like they are sharpened similar to a scriber.  That makes sense to me.

So when you folks say you want an "awl", what do you mean, and how do you use it?  Just curious, because a SAK type awl to me is close to useless.  A longer spike is very useful.

[Poncho65]

I use an awl to save a knife blade for most of my uses

When I need to predrill wood or put a hole in leather it is also the best tool

Scraping something like fingernails or just to get crud off something 

Lots of uses for an awl and I like to have access to one even if I don't use one daily

I like the awl that LM has but I prefer the inline awl that comes on an alox SAK

[Altis]

There are many mods that add an awl to multi tools.  You folks that use awls, what do you do with them?

The style of awl found on SAKs with a sharp-ish edge and hole for sewing leather I have rarely used.  Cleaning under fingernails.  Scraping.  Ferro rod striking a time or two.

I carry a spike made from a 0.25" eye bolt.  Great for dealing with knots in string & rope.  A decent ice pick.  A great staple remover.  Many more uses.

Some awl mods look like they are sharpened similar to a scriber.  That makes sense to me.

So when you folks say you want an "awl", what do you mean, and how do you use it?  Just curious, because a SAK type awl to me is close to useless.  A longer spike is very useful.

Have you tried the Victorinox inline awl on the 93mm alox models?



My understanding is the spirit of the backside awl on SAKs is for making holes in materials like fabric, leather, or wood.

The inline awl is much better suited for other uses, in my opinion, as it's very thick and tough, and easier to use with a better control over the tool. I can easily see this being a good 'spike' in the tasks you describe. Makes great holes in most materials and great at scraping with it's thick edge.

[magentus]

The alox in line awl is an awlsome tool! Poker, scraper, blade, pilot holer, it's worth it's weight in gold.

[Hevy (CT-782)]

I agree with Mags.

In my view 93mm awl is a superb tool. Very capable and usefull.

In other hand the backside awl can make with ease a good and uniform 6mm hole in wood.



Enviado de meu moto g(6) usando o Tapatalk

[ReamerPunch]

They also make good puns.

[magentus]

They also make good puns.

Good point

[SteveC]

They also make good puns.

That was awlful   


Awls are good for poking smurf   

[Fortytwo]

Pilot holes comes to mind and makes it an important tool on "jobsite" tools (where jobsite in my case has been during renovations). My most common use however is far less "sexy" but happens a bit more often since I'm not in the construction business. I use it for punching pressure release holes in tin cans to better drain the contents, it is a quick job and makes a surprising difference...

[Craig T]

It is interesting to learn how various tools are used.  I rarely use a typical awl for the point but occasionally it is helpful to have the semi-sharp edge.

I use the spike much more often.  It might be really useful if a carbide tip could be added.  Could then be a scriber and glass breaker.

I need to take a few photos and make a post of that.  A fairly simple addition to a sheath.