Steel Scratch Awl

Such a simple tool that one forgets about until it’s the only tool that gets the job done! This one seems to be very reliable quality. Comfortable handle. I’ve used it to fish bullet casings out of my rifles in the field quite successfully.

I picked up this scratch awl and I’m honestly impressed for the price. The hardwood handle feels solid and fits nicely in my hand, which makes it comfortable to use for longer stretches. It feels like a simple tool done right. I’ve been using it for woodworking—mostly for scribing lines and marking holes before drilling—and it does exactly what I need it to do. The tip is sharp and gets clean, precise marks. I’m not sure how hard the steel is yet, so I can’t say how long the tip will hold up, but even if it dulls over time, that’s an easy fix. Overall, the quality is way better than I expected for what I paid. Definitely a good buy.

I seem to misplace these frequently, but this is handedly one of the most useful and high quality tools in existence. I probably have used these several times a week for 25 - 30 years now and the original one I started with is still totally functional after having beat the heck out of it more times than I can count. The steel is extremely high quality, I can put holes in vehicle body panels for fabrication work without bending it, that's compared to having destroyed probably a few dozen from big box stores with far less abuse in a few uses if not the first try. Marking drill spots, using one to drill a hole in drywall for an anchor, actually using for scratching, I can't even begin to list how many things I use these for on a near daily basis and how often people have never owned nor used and sometimes even heard of one of these. I would put this in the running for best tool of all time based on the price, quality, and versatility.

Perfect for my woodworking needs. Awls are available in quite a variety of sizes, shapes, materials and prices. For me, this awl is a very good combination of: handle material, size and shape; length of shaft and overall tool size; geometry of tool tip (the pointed end). And at a reasonable price. Very satisfied, would buy again, gladly recommend to others.

I got this to do saddle stitching. Easy enough to use and has metal strike point on the back for tapping with a hammer which is great. The wood body is sturdy and solid feeling and a nice touch. Seems pretty durable. The point is sharp and makes a good impression and nice hole- however the size of the body of the shaft of the awl rapidly widens and so for thicker sets of pages you are left with a pretty large hole and it starts to mush up the edges of the hole. (See pictures) For leather work since the hole is more self-healing as this does not remove material like a punch, this might be ok- but for paper it's fairly destructive. It's probably a 4 star awl that's 3 stars for bookbinding. That said, with a lighter press you'd get a small hole on the outside with larger hole on the inside, for thinner sets of pages- it will work fine and hard to beat at the price for the quality of the build. In the future if I do more saddle stitching for smaller chapbooks and compositions, I will look for an awl with a a less aggressive taper and/or more slender shaft, something closer to a large needle.

Great price, ease of use, nice quality

Gets the job done at an affordable price!

I use awls most for making a hole to install anchors and screws in drywall and to make starter holes for all wood screws. I have had a similar awl for twenty years. It finally broke - the rod came through the handle. It is still usable, but I decided it was time for a new one. I got one that looked very sturdy and was all metal, but to my surprise the tip broke after a few uses. The steel was not strong. This one is very similar to the one that I mentioned earlier, and it is working very well so far. In my opinion, this is such a simple device that its main value is durability. Whether it will last for decades, I don't know. If it breaks soon, I will amend my review and go to fewer stars, but until then I give it 5 stars.

Does what it should. Feels sturdy. And the wooden handle looks great.

Bom produto com bom acabamento, cumpre o propósito.

Heavy duty, I help operate a trade school and we ordered multiples of these and they hold up extremely well! 100s of apprentices go through the program and these get well used and abused and have stayed true so far

Not great. It isn't sharp enough to pierce through the leather. I bought it alongside a cheap beginner leather work kit as i was expecting this to be of high quality. Turns out the Awl from the cheap kit was 10 times better and actually pierced the leather. Don't waste your money!

It looks and feels like a good quality conical awl for carpentry. Comfortable hard wood handle and full tang so it can be used with a mallet (if needed) without fear of splitting the handle. It has a reducing shaft terminating in a 5mm long ground conical point. More suited to centre marking holes in wood than piercing or scribing.