Final implement, the awl.
Unlike essentially every awl on every modern tool, the awl on the Mil-K knife is concave on one side. I wanted to do this test without sharpening the edge of this tool, even with it being a bit ragged-feeling.
I skipped the leather punch test, feeling very confident that it would do it effortlessly, and went straight for the wood boring test. Could it drill a hole through a half-inch thick piece of aged Ash?
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4669/39188586015_5208d3386b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/22GXKj8)
Yes. It did so very quickly, too. I would guess that it was pretty close to the same speed I'd see from a Victorinox Awl. Top notch awl.
I... uhh... I COULD stand for it to have a little more retention. I got a little zealous toward the end, and leaned in hard. The awl collapsed, and my left index finger paid the price. Warning, the picture contains a little blood. Not loads, but I know some people are squeamish.
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(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4754/40087339571_b96375448d_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/245o6r6)
Sorry the picture is a little blurry, but I was trying to take it fast, so I could get to a sink, and not drip blood all over my carpet. :rofl:
Ergonomics on this thing are not great. The ends of the tool, as has been shown previously, are not well formed, and they bite into your palms when you press hard on the awl. Still, it got the job done. It DOES require caution. I had two near-miss collapses, and one full collapse resulting in a class-1 boo-boo.