A Hand Awl is a tool that can make holes or enlarge existing holes in various materials. It is also used for sewing heavy materials such as leather or canvas. It is a thin, tapered metal shaft with a sharp tip that is either at a right angle or slightly curved.
Advantages of Hand Awl
Versatility
A Hand Awl can be used to stitch a variety of materials, including leather, canvas, and denim. It is especially useful for repairing items such as shoes, bags, and tents. The awl's needle is sharp and sturdy, allowing it to penetrate thick materials with ease.
Portability
Unlike a sewing machine, a Hand Awl is small and lightweight, making it easy to carry with you wherever you go. This makes it a great tool for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and anyone who needs to make repairs on the go.
Cost-effective
Hand Awls are relatively inexpensive compared to sewing machines, and they require no electricity or special equipment to operate. This makes them a cost-effective solution for anyone who needs to make occasional repairs or alterations.
Precision
A Hand Awl allows you to make precise stitches, even in tight spaces or hard-to-reach areas. This makes it ideal for repairing items with intricate designs or patterns.
Durability
Hand Awls are built to last, with sturdy needles and handles that can withstand heavy use. With proper care and maintenance, a Hand Awl can last for years, making it a valuable addition to any crafter's toolkit.
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Types of Hand Awl
Regular leather sewing awls
They will cut the leather. This means at best making the hole a little larger and at worst cutting off the edge. I like to keep the sides of the awl blunt and only sharpen the first millimeter or two to create a cutting edge. The rest should be polished to easily fit through the needle hole.
Specialty awls: Long awls
This is how far the awl blade sticks out from the handle. This type of awl is common to us saddle builders. The back strap is a fairly thick area on the saddle after sewing the saddle.
Specialty awls: Soft awls
This is a sewing awl with a blunt edge like a harness needle. If you pierce the leather with the piercing iron, there is no need to cut the leather further. The soft awl ensures that you are only opening the hole instead of cutting a new one. I used the shorter 19mm (3/4”) blade extension on the soft awl.
Specialty awls: Curved awls
Curved awls are used in shoe and box making. Curved awls are used when sewing butt seams where leather is edge to edge, such as on the side of a leather cylinder. Few manufacturers make good quality curved awls, so the modern solution is to pre-punch the holes and use a straight or curved needle.
Hand Awl：stitching Instructions
Starting from the backside, push the needle through the material of your project. On the front-side, fully draw out the thread, long enough to do the entire project - remember to add an extra 3" of the thread.
While keeping your thumb firmly over the thread on the handle of the awl, hold the thread and pull the needle back out of the hole. Then start it through the second hole.
Push the needle through the second hole as far as it will go. Then pull back slightly on the awl just until a loop is formed.
Pass all of the thread through this loop.
Hold the thread end taut. Pull the needle out of the hole, forming a lock-stitch. Pull taut, the lock-stitch knot should be buried in the middle of the fabric layers.
Release more thread between the needle and material to allow for the next stitch. Continue this process until your project is finished.
After the last hole on the backside of your project, grasp the loop and pull the thread out of the hole.
Cut the thread, leaving two 3" lengths to tie off.
Tie the ends in the knot on the backside. Trim the excess thread.
To safely store the Speedy Stitcher® Sewing Awl, remove the needle from the threaded post and place it back in the appropriate slot. Screw the chuck lock back in place. Presto!
Application of Hand Awl
Repairing Leather
One of the most common practical applications of a sewing awl is repairing leather. Leather is a durable and long-lasting material, but it can still be subject to wear and tear over time.
A sewing awl can be used to repair small rips and tears in leather, as well as to reattach straps or buckles that have come loose.
To repair leather with a sewing awl, the user should first clean the area to be repaired and trim any loose threads or frayed edges.
They can then use the awl to create small holes along the edge of the tear, and use a needle and thread to stitch the pieces back together. This technique can be used on a wide range of leather items, including jackets, bags, and shoes.
Working with Heavy Fabrics
Another practical application of a sewing awl is working with heavy fabrics. Traditional sewing machines can struggle with thick or heavy materials, such as canvas, denim, or upholstery fabric.
A sewing awl, on the other hand, can easily penetrate these materials, making it a useful tool for a variety of projects.
When working with heavy fabrics, it is important to choose the right needle and thread for the job. Thicker needles and heavier thread will be required for heavier fabrics, while thinner needles and thread will work better on lighter materials.
Additionally, the user should take care to keep the fabric taut while sewing, to prevent bunching or puckering.
A sewing awl typically consists of three main components: the needle, the shaft, and the handle.
The needle is the pointed metal part of the tool that pierces through the material being sewn. It is usually made of steel or another durable metal and comes in different sizes and shapes depending on the task at hand.
The shaft is the long, thin metal rod that holds the needle and connects it to the handle. It is usually made of steel or another sturdy metal and is designed to withstand the pressure and force required to pierce through tough materials.
The handle is the part of the tool that provides leverage and control.
It is usually made of wood, plastic, or another durable material and is designed to fit comfortably in the user's hand. Some sewing awls have interchangeable handles, allowing the user to switch between different sizes and shapes depending on their needs.
Tips for Using a Sewing Awl
Choose the right awl size and shape for your project
Awls come in many types, such as diamond, round, or chisel, and in a variety of sizes. The size and shape of the awl will affect the size and shape of the holes you make in the leather, so choose an awl that is appropriate for the design and thickness of the leather.
Sharpen your awl regularly
A dull awl will have a hard time piercing the leather and may cause damage or uneven holes. You can sharpen your awl using a fine whetstone or leather sharpening belt. Simply rub the tip of the awl against the stone or belt until it is smooth and shiny.
Hold your awl properly
The best way to hold your awl is to hold the handle firmly in your dominant hand with the tip of your index finger resting on the metal stem. This allows for better control and precision in making holes. You can also use your thumb to push the awl through the leather if more force is needed.
Place a cutting mat or piece of scrap leather underneath your workpiece
This will protect your work surface from scratches and will also prevent the awl from digging too deep into the leather. Do not make holes in leather unless you are sewing two pieces of leather together.
Before using an awl, mark where you want to make holes
You can use a punching iron, compass, or sewing wheel to mark where you want to sew the leather. This will help you make even and consistent holes and avoid mistakes.
Use the awl to pierce the leather at a 90-degree angle for regular sewing
This ensures that the holes you make are straight, not angled. You can also use sewing clips or a sewing horse to hold the leather in place while you work. Puncture the leather with enough force to make a hole, but not so hard that you damage the leather or injure yourself.
Carefully remove the awl and repeat as needed
Once you have made the holes, slowly and gently remove the awl, twisting it slightly if necessary. Do not pull too quickly or too hard, as this may tear the leather or enlarge the hole. Repeat this process until you have made all the holes you need for your project.
Safety Precautions When Using the Hand Awl
Make sure your scissors, needles, and pins are sharp.
While this may seem like the opposite of safety, it's actually the smart thing to do. Any cook will tell you that the sharper the tool, the easier (and safer!) it is to use. If you use a blunt needle, you'll have to use force to pierce the fabric, which means you're more likely to accidentally stab yourself. The same goes for needles, scissors, and shears. Plus, they'll work much better if they're sharp, which will make your job less frustrating.
Don't sew over your fingers.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but lots of dressmakers head to the ER every year because they got their fingers too close to the needle while machine sewing. This is a painful experience! Do your utmost to keep your fingers away from the needle while you're sewing. If you're working on a tricky seam, instead of reaching next to the needle to keep the fabric straight, use an awl, a pointed chopstick, a small crochet hook, or my personal favorite, That Purple Thang, a tool designed to help you manipulate fabric while sewing.
Don't put pins in your mouth.
Many dressmakers work with pins in their mouth, not realizing how dangerous it is. It's easy to accidentally swallow pins—or worse, to inhale them! Doing so can necessitate surgery. Google it and you'll find firsthand stories from those who've experienced this, like Annie McCarthy, who inhaled a pin into her lung and ended up with a six-inch scar and permanent nerve damage as a result.
Don't sew over your pins.
Goodness, those pesky pins have so many safety rules! Plenty of experienced sewers think nothing of stitching right over their pins. Doing so is a risk, however. If the needle hits a pin—and don't delude yourself, sooner or later, it will happen!—the needle may break, flinging tiny shards of metal toward you. Even if the needle doesn't break, the act of hitting a pin can damage your sewing machine, messing up the timing, which will require a trip to the repair shop and a minimum of $80 to repair. Computerized sewing machines may cost double or triple that to fix! Save yourself the hassle and remove your pins before they reach the needle.
Turn off your sewing machine before changing the needle.
Ever notice how your foot automatically reaches for the foot pedal when you sit down at your sewing machine? It's all too easy to accidentally tap the foot pedal while changing the needle. The solution is simple: turn off the machine before removing the old needle and inserting a new one. If your sewing machine has a built-in safety feature, make sure the presser foot is up, so it won't let you sew.
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FAQ
Q: What is a hand awl?
Q: What materials can a hand awl be used on?
Q: How do you choose the right size hand awl?
Q: What is the difference between a hand awl and a drill bit?
Q: How do you sharpen a hand awl?
Q: What are hand awls made of?
Q: How should you store a hand awl?
Q: Can a hand awl be used for carving?
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Q: How do you replace the tip of a hand awl if it becomes dull?
Q: What is the best way to use a hand awl?
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Q: How much force is needed to use a hand awl?
Q: Can a hand awl be used for DIY projects?
Q: What are the benefits of using a hand awl over powered tools?
Q: Can a hand awl be used for making holes in metal?
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Q: What types of hand awls are available?
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