Hi Guys I would be happy to know about your experiences with awls. I use myself a diamond blade awl from Wuta. I have tested a few awls from different companies and I liked them best. So I also recommend my students this awl I do teach leather craft. So now from 20 students I had 5 students were the awl did break. So one fell on the floor ok. But for 4 people it did break while using them. I find this quiet a lot. So I am arguing with the supplier about the quality of this one delivery.
We are working on a curved gusset, what we do is piercing one side with chisel, then glue the gusset in, then pierce through the hole made with chisel, through to the backside that does not have a whole yet. Of course I know about the correct direction by pushing in and pulling out the awl. But I find it hard to believe that my students do it so wrong that 4 awls are breaking ? I can not check exactly as it is an onlinecourse.
this is what supplier says:
The problem of diamond awl, we have found that many customers. Most of them are using incorrect methods. Many customers use it to pierce the leather directly. The correct way is use the chisel or punch to pierce the leather. and then use the awl.
I mean a lot of artisans do even only work with the awl and not with chisels?
What is your opinion about this?
thanks Ilka
So you both agree it is because they are not sharp enough and not because of the blade or construction itself? I never broke my Wuta awl. So I make them one more video how to sharpen them 😉 I hope the stropping is enough I'll test it, as I am a bit afraid beginners ruin the awl on the first attempt on sharpening. I remember I ruined my first edge beveler on sharpening although I followed some video.