Fitting Awl Blades To Handles

I am fitting leather sewing awl blades to handles or hafts using basic tools. I user these awls for leather sewing, and in the film I also show how I sharpen them on a strop.

[@hifistos]

Was scratching my head to work out a way to do this, now I've seen your T'upenny it seems so obvious. Many thanks, really helped.

[@Bostish2]

That second one which you dyed with leather dye looks like it would also make a great "quick" slicker, the curves were very nice.

[@g.singleton350]

Thx for sharing Harry...I always enjoy your videos!

[@gravelcreekfarms3850]

I really enjoy awl your videos there awl very informative.

[@dochayesnm]

Thank you, Harry. I always look forward to a new video.

[@rondumontier1187]

I not going clutter my words with Awl the funny stuff. But nice vid again. I have always used 2 pcs of Ironwood for projects like this. The wood wont break so easy in the vise, plus that,s what I have on hand.The copper pennies seem to work great also.

[@jasoncalaz1476]

Love the videos Harry. You have inspired me to have a go at leather working.

[@harryrogers]

wild nestarond That's great. Thanks

[@paulj3653]

My grandad who was a blacksmith used to heat the metal red hot then just pushed the wooden handle on. There was a bit of pressure & steam coming from the wooden handle but then it just stuck and it worked!

[@deadhorse1391]

Paul J , I do the same with knife blades I make and tang chisels. First drill an undersize hole in the handle and stop pushing the handle just before it goes all the way in, when it cools down tap it in all the way. The vice holding the blade acts as a heat sink so heating the tang won't draw the temper out. Works great

[@danielwilson5102]

You appear to have all the awls.... I normally use some soft pine off-cuts in the vice when I work with metal. That seems to work for me if you don't have any copper lying about.

[@phildxyz]

You can also make copper or aluminium 'clams' for your vice, which might be less fiddly...

[@alainbriot]

Or brass

[@Zedoutdoors]

Very cool to see the process and the tip reg copper coins. Are you buying in the awls or making them yourself? ~Peace~

[@harryrogers]

Zed Outdoors Bowstock has ask blades.

[@boozoochavis7506]

THAT is a lovely large vice on the bench there ... probably much harder to find these days?!

[@robinhoff4598]

As always a fine video. Should have fired up the pole lathe. Combined with a bit of copper or brass pipe and a scrap of wood and presto Bob’s your uncle. Lol 😎😎

[@yt650]

Awl sorts of form, good one. Got your pennies and bandage. Your two cent worth. Never polished my buttons.

[@GarnettM]

Seen a vid the other day Harry if you push your pins/ needles into Dove soap bar it`ll slide thru leather with ease when using them .

[@harryrogers]

Garnett M Thanks good tip.

[@ValioMadre7]

KY works better.

[@muddymudskipr]

Thanks for the video Harry. I would like to set a #5 McKay needle in an awl handle for leather sewing tasks. Any pointers on how to go about this? The McKay needles I've been able to find look to be made for sewing machines, with a larger diameter at the base that runs about 1/2" up the bottom of the needle shaft before tapering down to the actual needle. Do you cut the "gripping" surface into the needle base manually, with something like a dremel cutting disc or what? Is it possible/difficult/feasable to pull the metal point out of an old awl then reuse it? (For instance, if I found an inexpensive awl on eBay, or do you buy new, blank awl handles somewhere?) In other words, are the awl handles you use in this video new? And can you reuse handles if and ONLY if the needles get progressively longer in diameter, so they hold tight? I was thinking there was more to securing awl points to handles than this, given the stresses involved with sewing (thick) leather. Sorry for the lengthy question but it's high time I asked someone. I think it would make my projects 10 times easier and allow me to work much faster. Thank you

[@harryrogers]

Hi - Bowstock in the UK on the net do a range of awl handles. Your proposals for fitting sound good..always use some super glue if all else fails to hold it...I reuse awl handles, and you will soon realise if one is too worn, or the hole is too, which is often the case. To pull the metal point out of an awl I use a strong mechanics vice to grip the old blade and sometimes wiggle it from side to side.

[@muddymudskipr]

@@harryrogers thanks for getting back. I'll get some materials together and give this a go. Appreciate the link suggestion but since I'm in the states, I'm trying to find materials closer to home, and it's surprisingly difficult. I would think having a knurled needle shank would help hold it in place....any suggestion on how to get a knurl on a smooth shank needle?

[@bbrachman]

Harry, whenever I try to insert metal into wood, I always use a drop or two of superglue in the hole first. Not sure if it holds any better than just the wood fibers. It makes me feel a little better about it holding. Just my 2 cents.

[@ot0m0t0]

I was left in Awl of your skills.

[@kodiandroid8821]

Awl right arry

[@ningis21]

?...Oh...the pinky ???

[@harryrogers]

ningis21 Previous film!

[@paulmartinez9908]

*Now*