With the recent threads on SAK/multitool can openers and scissors, I decided to see how their awls compared. I gathered 3 SAKs and 3 Multitools with awls and used them to put some holes in a 1/8 thick leather belt and a ¾ thick pine board. Heres my favorites from best to worst:
1 Vic Pioneer 4 / Farmer (this is an Alox handled SAK with an awl inside handle like the Soldier) very comfortable and efficient to use. This one has the longest cutting edge (1 3/16 vs. 15/16 for the other Vics and 7/8 for the LMs); the Awl dose not lock but had no tendency to fold up in use.
2 Vic Swisstool has the sharpest edged awl. The Swisstool awl locks and works very well but like the two LM multitools, tends to dig into your palm if you press hard.
3- LM Supertool 200 locking awl is not as sharp as the Vics and dose not work as quite as efficiently.
4 LM PST awl is the same as the Supertools except that it dose not lock, although it dose not fold up in use. The PSTs lanyard attachment on the handle made the handle somewhat uncomfortable to use.
5 Vic Adventurer (standard Vic SAK awl on back of knife) sharp non-locking awl with sewing eye. This awl dose tend to fold when starting the holes and requires a lighter touch than the others above but it dose work well, albeit a bit slow. Handles are a little awkward but comfortable.
6 Wenger Backpacker (standard Wenger awl on back of knife) non-locking awl with no edge. This is by far the slowest and most awkward awl of the 6 tested. The Wenger awl will fold up if you apply anything more than light force, particularly when getting the hole started. It was also very difficult to keep the Wenger awl straight while boring a hole in the wood.
- Frank
1 Vic Pioneer 4 / Farmer (this is an Alox handled SAK with an awl inside handle like the Soldier) very comfortable and efficient to use. This one has the longest cutting edge (1 3/16 vs. 15/16 for the other Vics and 7/8 for the LMs); the Awl dose not lock but had no tendency to fold up in use.
2 Vic Swisstool has the sharpest edged awl. The Swisstool awl locks and works very well but like the two LM multitools, tends to dig into your palm if you press hard.
3- LM Supertool 200 locking awl is not as sharp as the Vics and dose not work as quite as efficiently.
4 LM PST awl is the same as the Supertools except that it dose not lock, although it dose not fold up in use. The PSTs lanyard attachment on the handle made the handle somewhat uncomfortable to use.
5 Vic Adventurer (standard Vic SAK awl on back of knife) sharp non-locking awl with sewing eye. This awl dose tend to fold when starting the holes and requires a lighter touch than the others above but it dose work well, albeit a bit slow. Handles are a little awkward but comfortable.
6 Wenger Backpacker (standard Wenger awl on back of knife) non-locking awl with no edge. This is by far the slowest and most awkward awl of the 6 tested. The Wenger awl will fold up if you apply anything more than light force, particularly when getting the hole started. It was also very difficult to keep the Wenger awl straight while boring a hole in the wood.
- Frank