What kinds of awls are these?

[Corneel]

What kinds of awl's are these and how do I sharpen and use them?

 

[AndyT]

Top one us a bradawl. Sharpen the tip like a double bevel chisel, insert across grain, push, twist.
The other is a birdcage awl. Hone the four flat faces on a fine stone so the long arrisses scrape a hole as you push and twist.

 

[Corneel]

Thanks Andy, I'll give it a try. The first one sounds like a recipe to tear out some woodfibers from the surface though!

Would you use them just to start the hole and finish with a drillbit, or do you go all the way down when making a hole for a small screw or a nail?

 

[BRYAN]

Theres awl kinds of em.

 

[Jacob]

...
Would you use them just to start the hole and finish with a drillbit, or do you go all the way down when making a hole for a small screw or a nail?

In place of drill.
Particularly handy for hinge fitting - 2 bradawls; one holds the hinge in place while you make another hole with the other one. Tap in with hammer and then twist and press.

 

[Corneel]

Thanks Jacob. I guess it depends on the hardness of the wood too. In pine the birdcage awl goes easily into the wood, but I haven't tried with something harder yet.

 

[markblue777]

Theres awl kinds of em.

That was just awl-ful :lol:

 

[Carl P]

That's awl I can take of such bad jokes! :?

Carl