I've had one of the Ray Mears Offset Stitching Awls for years and years, I originally intended to just use a temporarily bit of old broom handle I fitted as a sod it that will do for the time being job, what 8 years later enough was enough, I well and truly had enough of aching hands after punching hundreds of holes in leather with it.
So as I had some Hemlock I thought that will do nicely.
I love my new (well, new to me drill press, it makes simple stuff like drilling a straight vertical holes so much quicker).
I removed most the wood with chisels.
Then used a horizontal sander to do most the shaping.
Nice fairly tight hole, just a matter of waiting for the glue to dry.
After a final sand and a soak in linseed oil its all done, SOOO much better in the hand now! Plus as its squared it wont roll way from me.
After years of use I'd say this awls are worth every penny!
So as I had some Hemlock I thought that will do nicely.
I love my new (well, new to me drill press, it makes simple stuff like drilling a straight vertical holes so much quicker).
I removed most the wood with chisels.
Then used a horizontal sander to do most the shaping.
Nice fairly tight hole, just a matter of waiting for the glue to dry.
After a final sand and a soak in linseed oil its all done, SOOO much better in the hand now! Plus as its squared it wont roll way from me.
After years of use I'd say this awls are worth every penny!
a decent drill press is next on my 'to get' list for this exact sort of thing
