- An awl is a boring tool, usually consisting of a straight metal spike attached to a short, thick wooden handle. Different kinds of awls have different applications in particular areas of crafting, ranging from woodworking to sewing to bookbinding, but the basic function is always the same: make new holes, or make existing holes bigger. Awls play an important role in the craft of hand shoemaking.
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There are two kinds of awls that a shoemaker is likely to use: a stitching awl and a shoemaking awl.
A stitching awl, or leather awl, is a tool used specifically for the sewing of leather and other materials that are too thick or tough to be sewn with regular needles. It may be a simple spiked rod, or it may have an eye at the point (a hole for threading) and function like a needle. Either way, a stitching awl can be used by a shoemaker to sew together the leather pieces that make up the upper portions of the shoe.
A shoemaker's awl is a little more special. This tool is made with a curved tip and is designed for the task of sewing the soles of shoes to the upper part, or for other sewing tasks where the curve is advantageous. -
The reason for the curve in the shoemaker's awl is that it allows two leather objects to be sewn evenly when they aren't lined up together (as when sewing the top of the shoe to the sides). The curve also gives the shoemaker greater leverage, especially when working on corners or edges. This means that making holes requires less force, making the process both easier and safer.
The holes made by the awl make way for the threaded needle. This means that care must be taken while making awl holes to be sure that they will be in the right place for sewing, as being compelled to repeat a stitch will leave a large, visible hole.
