Awl for Leather Stitching

[flint64]

I bought an awl haft and one of the separate diamond blades from Tandy Leather. I'm not very pleased with it though. I had searched Ebay for a old awl but to no avail.
Would anyone have any suggestions for good diamond bladed awl for leather sewing?

 

[hawkthrower]

Flint, the tandy awls ain't bad if you polish them for about a week.... on each facet :rotf:
Seriously though you might check the Crazy Crow web site They did have some pretty good awls but to make them really good they still need to be polished quite abit.

 

[BrownBear]

Osborne has about the best I've seen. They're so good, they only have to be polished about half as long as Tandy's! :grin:

 

[Nifeman]

Made one for Miss Tudy out of a large Glovers needle and a dowel...Bud

 

[flint64]

What's your polishing process?

 

[hawkthrower]

Flint, others may have a different way of doing it but I use a piece of cardboard usually from something like a shirt box and then rub it liberally with white jewelers rouge. Then you just start polishing being careful to keep each facet as flat as possible. I do a lot of hand sewing so I always have my cardboard and rouge handy to work on the awl occasionally while I am working.


Oh, that Osbourne awl that Brownbear suggested is a really good tool.

 

[flint64]

Hawkthrower thank you for your helpful advice!

 

[hawkthrower]

Hope it helps but just don't remember who it was told you when you start bleeding :shocked2:

 

[flint64]

:rotf:

 

[BrownBear]

What's your polishing process?

I have a couple of steps before the rouge. I picked up some 1600 and 2000 grit wet/dry paper from a custom auto shop and I polish with that before the rouge. It really takes out scratches and burrs that the rouge can't get, leaving a very smooth surface for the rouge to put the final touches on.

 

[hawkthrower]

:idunno: All the years I have been doing this stuff and I never thought of that. That would probably cut my polishing time down considerably. Wow, makes me wonder if I oughta play with sharp objects

 

[BrownBear]

I can't take much credit. I was visiting my brother (a serious custom road rod guy) and carrying a leather project in my suitcase, as usual. I broke an awl point, and was cursing the replacement and my lack of rouge.

Good ole brother dragged me into his shop, and viola. Put a slip of the paper on something hard, then use it like a "whet stone." Works really fast, but leaves a surface you'll be happy to use even without the rouge.

 

[flint64]

While doing some web surfing on this subject I keep seeing the name of Bob Douglas in Wyoming who seems to make a great awl.

I can't find a website for him but has anyone else every heard of him or used one of his awls?

Where can you purchase one?

 

[hawkthrower]

Flint, Bob Douglas is out of sheridan, Wy I don't think he has a web site but his number is
307-737-2222. He also makes some other really good tools but be prepared for some sticker shock.

 

[flint64]

Thanks Hawkthrower!

Yeah I heard they were expensive but most info that I have read is that they are worth the price.

 

[BrownBear]

Thanks Hawkthrower!

Yeah I heard they were expensive but most info that I have read is that they are worth the price.

GOOD tools are cheap at any price if they work well and you don't have to replace them. Seems like I'm always scratching around for a better awl, so I'll be checking on Bob Douglas, too.

Thanks for the tip, Fint64.

Anyone able to post a pic of an example of his work? More testimonials would probably get me off the dime quicker, too.

 

[flint64]

BrownBear this is the only pic that I could find from doing a Google search.

 

[BrownBear]

Uh-oh. Looks like that pic is going to be expensive for me. Thanks, I think! :grin:

 

[hawkthrower]

They say that that groover is the best in the business

 

[flint64]

I have heard the handle is $65 and the blades are $25.

Today I was working some 4oz leather with a Tandy diamond blade and the blade snapped like a twig. At $6.99 a pop that can get expensive fast!