How Does a Shoemaker Use a Stitching Awl?
The Awl 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. Stitching and Shoemaking Awls 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
