Old, worn leather awls are often very lovely tools. Nice to hold and use, even when used for things other than their intended purpose. As is the case when I use them. Their design is so similar across manufacturers—the more stout ones are peg awls, for making the holes for shoe pegs that attach soles to the shoe. The daintier ones are sewing awls, for making holes for stitching.

Leatherworking Awl HaftsNot a single one I own has a manufacturer or model number. They’re just anonymous, ubiquitous tools, could’ve been made by anyone. None of them have their wrench either, for tightening the collet. But that’s alright, anything’ll do.

The weirdest one is solid metal and weighs more than a half-pound. That’d be uncomfortable to hold all day.