Just an awl...

[Crewdawg445]

Just an awl... I gave my last one away so I decided to whip up another the other day! Been extremely busy the past few months between a few powwow's and life in general so I haven't been that active on the forum. At any rate, decided to fire up the forge and make a simple awl from 1095 round stock, squared, hardened and tempered that was halfted into a elk antler tine and deer sinew applied as a finger hold. Made a little river cane scabbard as well to protect myself... VERY useful tool! If one does not know how useful, they will when one is needed!

 

[Black Hand]

I carry a triangular awl in my gun bag.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Very nice.

 

[Grumpa]

yet another "Well Done". :thumbsup:

You make a simple tool, and create a thing of beauty in both form and function, that reflects your heritage.

And it is good to see you active again on the Forum. :hatsoff:

Richard/Grumpa

 

[BillinOregon]

Very nicely done!

 

[BrownBear]

...a little river cane scabbard as well to protect myself....

Nice as the work is on the awl, that's the detail that makes this one stand out. Turns the awl from a bench tool into a carry tool. You're right about it's usefulness when carried, too. The scabbard not only protects the user, but the finely sharpened and smoothed point.

With the addition of the scabbard, this one is a standout. :thumbsup:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Thanks gents!

Details are everything to me, do it right the first time and you won't regret it.

 

[NeilMacleod]

Nice work, looks great

 

[coloradoclyde]

:thumbsup:

 

[SgtErv]

Sweet. And now I know how to carry an awl without poking a hole through anything. I sawed off a little sumac stem for my pipe and had a little piece :thumbsup: I had no idea what to do with.

 

[Crewdawg445]

There you go my friend!

 

[BrownBear]

I have some long and skinny bones from the hind feet of a young brown bear. I found the scattered remains in the hills and picked them up a year back. Decided they're too skinny for knife handles, but they might be a fine addition to an awl for field carry.

Thanks for the inspiration! :hatsoff:

 

[Crewdawg445]

Oh my, that would make one neat handle indeed!

 

[BrownBear]

Oh my, that would make one neat handle indeed!

Yeah, that was my thought too when I stumbled on them. But the bear was just a year or two too young when he got jumped and eaten by a big boar. I've had mild thoughts of using one for a patch knife, but in fact I prefer a bigger knife for that job.

Back to scouring the hills with my nose pointed at the ground.

 

[R.C.BINGAMAN]

I would use the small bone from a turkey wing, the open end opposite where you would slide the awl in is stopped with a turned bit of deer horn.

 

[BrownBear]

That would work. I'm figuring to cut the bear bone so I can leave the natural end.

My concern is the "cut" end and configuring both that and the awl handle for a "socket" fit of some sort, a means of adding friction to keep the awl from backing out during carry. Right now a small tab of 2-3 oz leather rolled tight and shoved into the bone is winning the thinking contest.

 

[Black Hand]

That would work. I'm figuring to cut the bear bone so I can leave the natural end.

My concern is the "cut" end and configuring both that and the awl handle for a "socket" fit of some sort, a means of adding friction to keep the awl from backing out during carry. Right now a small tab of 2-3 oz leather rolled tight and shoved into the bone is winning the thinking contest.

Add a length of pithy twig inside the bone.

 

[George]

Good idea with the sheath. I have an awl which stays in my ditty bag and is a threat every time I need to get it out. I stole your idea and made a simple sheath from a section of Kentucky cane. The blade is square instead of round, and has a slight bend in it near the antler handle. The lumen of the cane is only slightly larger than the blade, and it slips on with a snug friction fit.

My fingers thank you. :grin:

Spence

 

[Crewdawg445]

Glad I could help! These little suckers indeed will nip the fingers and hands.

This particular awl was 1095 round stock worked squared. Then I drew out the taper and sharpened her up. I'm getting ready to make a crooked awl as another addition to the kit. Figure a little larger awl will come in handy with various tasks around the forest.