What kinds of awls are these?

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Corneel

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

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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.
 
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?
 
Corneel":wh1fr9xy said:
...
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.
 
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.
 

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