What do you use your 'awl' for?

I use mine like most folks do these days. Drill out holes in wood, start screw holes in wood, and to punch holes in different things. I bought this Boker as a work knife because I wanted to see if I would actually use the awl after I saw all those beautiful harness jacks in an old thread.

When I saw this had a large clip, a sheepfoot and an awl and was in yellow with a Federal shield, I had to have it.



The knife has a great build quality, but sadly the awl/punch was just about worthless. Since it was an inexpensive knife, I took it to my 1X30 sander and reprofiled the awl. I am used to constant sharpening of my lathe tools so I sharpened it with what is known as a "fingernail grind", which you can see as the long bevel back from the point of the blade. It is a great punch now, and is a single edge model that I sharpened along the edge as well. It cuts cleanly, and often does additional duty of punching my cigars. It even works well to open up a cigar that is rolled too tight or remove a stem as needed in a less expensive smoke.

Love the punch.

Robert
 
I'm a awl fan, my first few knives as a kid had them and then all my SAK growing up, my preference in Stockman are ones with a awl/punch, a few years ago Sara asked what I use a punch for here's my response and a link to a comparison test I did with a Case 6318pu and a Vic Farmer

I guess I just grew up using them. Besides the obvious use, works great making holes in wood, as a scribe, it always seems up on a ladder your drill bit looses its magnet so I've used to start a hole to hold a long screw in place, I've made stuff camping with it ( start a spoon, fishing hooks, bobbers, cedar pipe ) scraping PVC , untying knots ( like a marlin spike), I've used to retro fit things like grommets, core out, make a existing hole bigger, I'm sure the list goes on and on at least for me. I will say the Swiss Army farmer has the best one(IMHO). I find it saves a knife blade for its intended use. I also want to add splinter extracting and blisters.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/968028-Comparison-of-Vic-Farmer-Case-punch-awl

Pete
 
I use the fantastic awl of Vics mainly to bore holes in the wood before nailing or screwing something.
BUt I found it very useful also to enlarge holes in wood beads. I can precisely do it.
 
Oh yeah. I forgot that I used one years ago to make a bamboo flute. The flute is long gone now, but the awl on my Swisschamp did well. I'm betting the one on the Farmer will do even better if I decide to make another.
 
The awl on a Victorinox is my favorite box opener. I don't have to worry about getting tape residue on my blade. I've used it frequently to make holes in drywall for drywall anchors to hang shelving/clocks/and etc. I've used it to get at the little clip that holds network cables in the network port when I couldn't get my finger to the clip. All around, it's pretty handy to have on a knife.
 
SAK Guy said:
Cigar holder, mostly.

Morningcigar_zps5880c058.jpg
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What kind of knife is this? Is not a Swiss Army knife is it?
 
massanimal said:
What kind of knife is this? Is not a Swiss Army knife is it?
Click to expand...

that is a victorinox farmer in alox...so yes, a swiss army knife
they are still available for around $35 in silver, but the red ones are alot harder to find nowadays, so probably a bit pricier
 
Mainly used it as a scraper, in my day to day use thats what i have used it most for. Its also been used to poje something in a hole or move something thats is a tighter space, as well as putting a couple holes in my fathers leather belt.
 
Yes, a Farmer. Probably early 80's Old Cross. Here is another shot of it with the awl out, I have many pix of this one as it is one of my favorites.
Rocksample_zps83bbb156.jpg
 
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