The Mighty Awl !!!

[Poncho65]

Everyone always says they wish that the awl was on every MT.  I have used the awl occasionally just becasue it is there on my PST, but I am curious as to what everyone uses there awl for?

[Tsquare]

Cleaning fingernails, starting screws in wood. and of course putting another hole in ones belt after too many trips to McDonalds.

[edap617]

I frequently use the awl to crack ice at the beach and at picnics.

[Poncho65]

Cleaning fingernails, starting screws in wood. and of course putting another hole in ones belt after too many trips to McDonalds.

Yeah at my rate I may have to use it on the old belt myself

[Leatherman123]

I use the awl to make holes in leather, make pilot holes in wood, and poke stuff!

[Smitty44]

All the above mentioned things,and it saves knife blades from being broken,last week I used mine to remove sealant from around the tub,so that I could reseal.

[bobofish]

Nose pickin'

I'm kidding, I don't have an awl.

[duckman1975]

Awl is good because it control the population of rodents. Just kidding, used my SAK awl to make holes on things

[Grant Lamontagne]

Everyone uses it for different things, but the awl's main purpose on a multitool or SAK is to save the tip if the blade from being broken!  Folks will often use the tip if the blade for poking and prying and the blade simply isn't designed for that, and often causes it to break off.  The awl is a reinforced tip, designed to do things the blade isn't!

Def

[edap617]

The awl can be used as a defensive weapon.

I have read this story in a magazine before.

In Saigon, during the Vietnam war, troops were not allowed to carry personal weapons, yet even in broad daylight men who wore Rolex watches and gold bracelets were victims of grab, rip-off-the-wrist and run-with-the-goods routine.

Members of one special forces group went to a goldsmith, when gold was very cheap in the 60s, and had ID bracelets decorated with the Combat  Infantry Badge. After one sergeant had his priced new bracelet stolen on the street, the group started to to walk the streets with their SAK in hand, but with the awl opened, projecting out between the middle and ring fingers. With the awl out, there was no time lost due to surprise when someone grabbed jewelry from the wrist. Several times when a robbery did happen the awl was applied to the forearm of the thief and dragged down several inches. The thief always screams and ran away in shock.

I also open the awl of my Wenger to give me confidence when I walk in dark alleys when I travel to other places.

[ducktapehero]

I also open the awl of my Wenger to give me confidence

I have done this too. Although I open both the awl and the Phillips. I just like it better that way. Of course if your SAK of choice has a corkscrew then obviously you can't do that.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I would rather do that with a Wenger than  Vic- the Wenger's awl isn't sharpened down the side!

While it would make a suitable last ditch or impromptu weapon, you are still likely to break your fingers using it like that in a fight.  Best to end it quickly than to try to fight a prolonged engagement with one hand broken and bloody.

Def

[ducktapehero]

While it would make a suitable last ditch or impromptu weapon, you are still likely to break your fingers using it like that in a fight.

Yeah, it's important that you try like hell to hit soft tissue where it'll penetrate. And don't punch too hard. Let the awl do the work. And if anyone thinks it is a full time weapon they're nuts. But if Mr Bad Guy get a face full of awl out of the blue that'll give you time to either follow up the attack or get the hell outta Dodge. But that is the mission of most "self defense" weapons. If you know you're going to be in a fight, bring a rifle, and all your friends with rifles.

[Benner]

I mainly use it as a  and also to puncture holes in various objects (the wife etc). 

[flapjackboy]

Cleaning fingernails, starting screws in wood. and of course putting another hole in ones belt after too many trips to McDonalds.

Surely it would make more sense to be putting more holes into a belt after too few trips to McD's as there is precious little space at the end of a belt for putting new holes in.

[NeitherExtreme]

Everyone uses it for different things, but the awl's main purpose on a multitool or SAK is to save the tip if the blade from being broken!  Folks will often use the tip if the blade for poking and prying and the blade simply isn't designed for that, and often causes it to break off.  The awl is a reinforced tip, designed to do things the blade isn't!

Def

I agree 100% with you here def... It's a blade-saver.

[Fishnuts2]

I use the awl on my Farmer to start screws in wood, scrape surfaces, and make holes in things.  Just recently, I needed a 3/8" hole in a wall plate for cable and instead of setting up my drill and bit I used the Farmer and the deed was done in short order.

[NutSAK]

Just recently, I needed a 3/8" hole in a wall plate for cable and instead of setting up my drill and bit I used the Farmer and the deed was done in short order.

You could just do like this idiot did, and shoot a hole in the wall for the cable:

http://www.kctv5.com/news/15698864/detail.html

On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't.  You might kill someone like he did.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Just recently, I needed a 3/8" hole in a wall plate for cable and instead of setting up my drill and bit I used the Farmer and the deed was done in short order.

You could just do like this idiot did, and shoot a hole in the wall for the cable:

http://www.kctv5.com/news/15698864/detail.html

On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't.  You might kill someone like he did.

What a complete moron

[I'm Still Bison]

Besides using the awl for pilot holes,and scraping,I've used it to scribe lines and marks.

[ducktapehero]

You could just do like this idiot did, and shoot a hole in the wall for the cable:

http://www.kctv5.com/news/15698864/detail.html

That happened pretty close to me.

Sometimes rednecks make stupid mistakes. 

[NutSAK]

I noticed that, but wasn't going to draw attention to it.  Someone might get the idea that all Ozark hillbillies are that way.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I noticed that, but wasn't going to draw attention to it.  Someone might get the idea that all Ozark hillbillies are that way.

Aren't they then

[ducktapehero]

Aren't they then

Of course not. Most of us would have made sure everyone was present before shooting a hole in the wall. Gun safety is important.

[NutSAK]

Aren't they then

Of course not. Most of us would have made sure everyone was present before shooting a hole in the wall. Gun safety is important.

 

Most would also realize that .22 caliber rounds don't leave a hole nearly big enough to fish coax through too!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I stand humbeley corrected

[ducktapehero]

Most would also realize that .22 caliber rounds don't leave a hole nearly big enough to fish coax through too!

I didn't know he used a 22. What a dolt!!! Who in the hell would use a 22 for home repair?

[Leatherman123]

I know! I would much rather use one of my .45's with hollow points! 

[Benner]

As I know absolutely nothing about guns at all, can I just ask what a hollow point is?

[ducktapehero]

As I know absolutely nothing about guns at all, can I just ask what a hollow point is?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hollow_point