Cool awls?

[Shotgun]

I've recently discovered how useful awls are and was wondering if anyone is making nice ones. The one on my SAK is perfect but sometimes I don't carry it so wanted a dedicated awl for my kit. I was thinking a titanium would be awesome but I'm unsure what kind of profile. Just a round point, squared point...? I found this cool antique one on google. Something of this size would be perfect at 2 3/4" by 1/4" thick.

 

[mete]

Bikermikearchery, one of our makers , makes marlin spikes ! Various sizes and shapes. Also there are sailor's knives with marlinspikes such as those from www.agrussell.com.

 

[DWK2]

I have a couple twisted nickel damascus spikes made by Jim Ferguson. One is in the form of a push dagger while the other is bare (he jokingly called it a "vampire spike"). Also a couple sailor's knives with marlin spikes on them.

DancesWithKnives

 

[JCavSD]

Bikermikearchery does do a nice marlin spike...recommend taking a look.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

And there's always a Whitetail spike (top one).

I use it for opening up the weave when making baskets - also useful for untying knots.

The bottom one is 4-sided and used for making lacing holes in Birch bark.

Doc

 

[Ebbtide]

Got that at the ECCKS a bunch of years ago

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Any leather shop could outfit you with a decent one. I might try a large hardware store first though (like HomeDepot or something) to look for one more sturdy. The problem with many are that they are intended solely for leather/cloth work. I use mine for lots of other stuff too, so I like the sturdier versions (such as found on the Vic Farmer).

 

[TedPalmer]

if you can get in touch with "lineshackrider" on the "bay", he forges excellent ones that are period correct to the 17 hundreds. They are very useful!!
be safe...
Ted

 

[iBlade]

I have a nice handmade awl that came with my HI YCS khukri, its trisided.

 

[Joezilla]

I used a new shark tooth this weekend. Destroys wood and other shark teeth and makes a perfect hole.

This isn't the drilll, but one of the knives

 

[bikermikearchery]

There is a lot of options available. I've been forging these out of stainless. Seems every week there is a new idea for a special tool.

 

[TedPalmer]

here's the fellow I was talking about: Mike Ameling
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/firefromsteel/
you can see his period correct awls about 2/3rds down the page. Lot's of good fire strikers too.
be safe... Ted
bikermikearchery, those awls are real interesting. Can I get in touch about some?