Daft Question: "Which end of the awl blade goes in the handle?"

[Selous]

I have just taken delivery of a beginner's kit for sheath-makers from Le Prevo. (What a nice bunch of guys) including an awl blade and handle.

I've already cut out my sheath and want to start punching holes and sticking things and sewing things and stuff.

But, I can't work out which end of the awl blade goes in the handle! ('cos I'm a twit, that's why) The two ends are identical, save that one end seems to be "blued" (case hardened? dunno) and the other end.. isn't.

Which end do I stick in the handle?

Thanks guys.

 

[leon-1]

I would say the end that looks like it is blued will be the handle end (I take it it's a saddlers awl you've bought).

 

[Too Much Kit To Carry]

My missus is a saddler - but she is out today!

If you still have a problem PM me this evening and I'll get an answer from her.

Cheers,

Phil.

 

[bent-stick]

Like this...

 

[Selous]

Thanks all. Thanks Bent-Stick.

Unfortunately, I've now bent and then broken the blade. Knackered the handle too, because the blade snapped off in the handle.

"Bad workmen...tools" and all that, but the blade did seem a bit flimsy.

I've been looking forward to starting this sheath. This would have been my first ever leather project. I'm going ahead regardless. I've got a sharp pointy thing on a plastic handle that I use to start screws into wood. I'm going to use that instead.

I suspect it will be harder work, but I'll give it a go.

Thanks again

 

[singteck]

When fitting the awl into a handle, it helps to clamp the awl blade in between two copper coins in a vice and tapping the handle into the end on the awl. Safer, and it protect the awl.

singteck