What do you use your 'awl' for?

OP here--went ahead and picked up a #15 SFO Harness Jack.

One question--the awl has an edge, but isn't very sharp--do I sharpen it up, or is it supposed to be as is?

harness_zps27f10af6.jpg
 
I've never handled that HJ, so I have no experience with that exact awl, but I would keep its edge sharp. It will work better as a "punch in and draw to open" mode ;)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Most all uses are already noted here, but I sure wish I had my Case Medium Stockman w/ Punch back when the Granddaughters were younger and were drinking those juice pouches that you have to push the straw into and end up with the straw through the other side also. It'll still come in handy for that, cause at Family gettogethers they still get those quite often. LOL
 
Brisket said:
Louis Braille, inventor of the Braille System lost both of his eyes due to a leather awl accident as a child when trying to get a close look while punching a hole through leather towards him. The awl took out one eye and he lost the other shortly after due to infection that spread. Oddly enough, Braille used an awl to make the raised dots of his Braille System. That concludes my awl trivia of the day.
Click to expand...


I really wanted to know this
As a kid I heard the story of his becoming blind in his fathers workshop
Could never figure out how
Till now......
 
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I use my awls for everything I shouldn't be using my knife tip on. I also use them to pull zip ties through holes that I can't get with the tie alone. That little sewing hole is super useful in my opinion.
 
Eric H said:
OP here--went ahead and picked up a #15 SFO Harness Jack.

One question--the awl has an edge, but isn't very sharp--do I sharpen it up, or is it supposed to be as is?
Click to expand...

I have the same knife but in chestnut bone. I use the awl as is, though I can imagine a time it may need sharpening (or maybe just cleaned up). I think it would be LESS useful with an actual sharpened edge, since (for my purposes) its value is as a point and a sharp corner. Introducing additional sharpness would only up the safety risk, without providing additional function.

Congrats on the knife. I expect they will find mine in my pocket whenever I keel over. It's probably a pretty good bet, anyway.


Michael
 
Great suggestions for uses of an awl I use mine for most of those already mentioned also for reaming inside of copper tubing.
 
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