I love the Awl....

7

72jroberts

Joined
Mar 16, 2012
Messages
277
I love this little tool coz you can use it when you don't want to dull up the main blade. I find myself using this one for the "almost needs a blade, but don't want to mess up that nice sharp edge I have" tool. And it's surprisingly sharp in its own right.

I don't know if I will ever punch a hole in leather with it, but I know I will use the awl for 25 other things for sure. I wish my Compact had one instead of the corkscrew that I will never use.

John
 
When we were younger we'd put the awl on our SAKs between our middle fingers in our fist and try to punch each other. There's number 26 for ya!
 
I love the inline awl on the pioneer/Wenger SI. I do use it as an auxiliary cutting edge for plastic zip ties and any stripping of wire for electrical work. It makes a fine drill to start holes for wood screws as well.
 
GarnetandBlack said:
When we were younger we'd put the awl on our SAKs between our middle fingers in our fist and try to punch each other. There's number 26 for ya!
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Gah!!! :eek: ! Can be a serious weapon if you don't mind gashing your own hand while ruining someone else's day. When young myself, I used to practice doing the same with a Tinker ph screwdriver, although never actually used it in a fight because I didn't want to piss off an opponent. None of my fights were that serious. Only once ever did I get into serious enough confrontation in which I was prepared to use my Super Tool as a fist load, but it never came to blows. Funniest thing; I was already a senior (old) citizen when that happened.
 
Awls were a popular fur trade item with native women and traders. They were small so you could pack in large numbers. I have found them in Indian camps near trade posts.

IMG_3102.jpg
 
I used the awl on my Climber just a few days ago to repair a kitchen sink soap dispenser. Reamed out the opening and removed all the gunk. Works like a charm now!
 
Stich2442 said:
I am a big fan of the awl my favorite is the one on Vic Alox models like the Farmer, here is something that might be of some interest.
Pete
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/968028-Comparison-of-Vic-Farmer-Case-punch-awl
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^This :thumbup:

I have never been more impressed with an awl until I picked up one of the Alox Vic's. I use it, not only for it's intended purpose, but I use it like a sheepsfoot, a marlin spike for stubborn knots and scraper too. It is my favorite tool as of yet.
 
Agree, very useful tool. There are three kinds that I know of. The big one on the alox Vics, end mounted, which is not only great for poking through things but is also a sharp and very sturdy blade in its own right - great for heavy duty scraping. The mid mounted awls on Vics and Wengers are different, the Wenger one hasn't got a a sharpened edge, which might make it more pleasant to use as a pointy knuckleduster as others have suggested. I like the mid mounted ones, the handle allows a lot of power. I've even used the thread hole.
 
I've used mine everytime I've gained or lost enough weight to have to quickly modify a leather belt :)
 
I won't carry a multi-tool without an awl. Just too useful a tool to have. Even on my Leatherman Wave or Charge, I ground one of the extra flat drivers into an awl. Just never understood why Leatherman's flagship models never had one included.
 
I use my SAK Farmer awl to spark ferro rods, open boxes, clean dirt out from under my nails, and other gross stuff like that.
 
Thanks for the comments, Guys.
I like hearing about things you have used the awl on.
keep em coming if you think of others.
John
 
I used the awl on my Alox Pioneer to help a girl at work who needed to poke a new hole in her belt. Wasn't sure if she was turned on or put off that I happened to have an awl on me. I like to assume the former :D
 
Rogue:
Was she getting skinner or fatter???
If she was turned on like you assume, perhaps you have just converted someone else to Swiss Army Knives!! Good for you!
John
 
72jroberts said:
Rogue:
Was she getting skinner or fatter???
If she was turned on like you assume, perhaps you have just converted someone else to Swiss Army Knives!! Good for you!
John
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Getting skinnier. Whether she was getting turned on to SAKs or me, either way it's a win win ;)
 
The end-mounted awl is one of my favorite things about the Farmer. I use it regularly to make pilot holes for screws.
 
Wooly Bugger said:
I use my SAK Farmer awl to spark ferro rods, open boxes, clean dirt out from under my nails, and other gross stuff like that.
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:cool: Quite correct. The awl is the best tool I have for getting a spark from a ferrocerium rod withut having to carry another piece of metal or damage a sharp knife edge. Great minds work the same way. Faiaoga
 
Question: I just got a used (good condition) Wenger Tradesman (like the Vic Deluxe Tinker) only where the awl should be was just a squared column (like the Washington monument; no edge, no point, just a squared rod). What was this supposed to be?
I ground down one side of it to a sharp edge and sharp point so I could use it as an awl. Just don't understand what it was supposed to be the way it came. Any thoughts? I do like the heavier duty, adjustable pliers and heavier scissors on the Wenger, but it is only about the size of the Tinker 3.25. I think I'll stick with Victorinox from now on.

Rich
 
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