<p>Awls are typically used for punching holes into objects, awls come in different styles. This one in particular, if you look at the back end, looks very durable, and able to be hammered on the back without issues. So it is able to push through thick leather easily.</p>
<p>Standard image of an awl:<br />
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/SR5SC.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/SR5SC.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Awl being used to punch hole:
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/t2xqN.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/t2xqN.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Awl being used in practice to lace leather:<br />
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/LDsGx.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/LDsGx.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Sources:<br />
<a href="https://hausoftools.com/blogs/news/tools-of-the-trade-tools-for-leather-working" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://hausoftools.com/blogs/news/tools-of-the-trade-tools-for-leather-working</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.instructables.com/how-to-prepare-leather-for-sewing/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.instructables.com/how-to-prepare-leather-for-sewing/</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T21:10:42.997Z
My leather awl was hastily made from a 6" nail ground to a point just like that. For the little leatherwork (and similar - I've just made a belt from a bike tyre) I do, pushing is much more likely than hammering so the ergonomic shape is worthwhile
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-25T08:06:07.903Z
The photo in the question looks like the tip is too fine to serve as a centre punch that gets hit. It wouldn't last long at all.
Chris H
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-25T19:04:01.167Z
Yea, that may be correct, it probably would break off.
Lyssagal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-28T18:55:02.220Z
The back/top end is flat and wider than the rest of the tool. Why would you hit down on the fine tip? Or do you mean to hit the tip into the leather? The craftsmanship of the tool is pretty sturdy and has a surprising amount of weight to it. I also noticed the brass plating seems to spin uniformly on the axis or shaft of the tool. Does that help with the description?
Kyle Anderson
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-28T19:10:50.943Z
Yes, you would hit the tip into the leather to create a hole. By hitting it on the back-end. Which is why it is sturdy/heavy weighed for that purpose.
Lyssagal
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-26T16:50:24.300Z
It's not nearly sharp (or amenable to sharpening) to be an awl, and it lacks the comfortable handle. When I started buying that sort of thing I got a (welcome) lecture from the supplier (Leprevo in the UK) on the correct technique used to sharpen it.
Mark Morgan Lloyd
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T18:13:08.427Z
2020-12-29T04:28:49.897Z
2020-12-29T04:28:49.897Z
Lyssagal
<p>To me the tip looks just like the tool I use to apply edge coat.  The little indentations hold the edge coat as you apply it. I’m assuming the pointed end spins?  If so that’s what you have, a tool to apply an edge coat.  An edge coat is applied as a thick coating to finish any edge on your project.  Before that takes place you would burnish the edge with a chemical, gum tragacanth. I use fiebings for the gum and edge coat.  Or you can simply coat an edge using water, then using a clean cotton cloth rub the edges treated with water for just a few second, the edge will get glossy.  Then apply the edge coat.  Hope I nailed it!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-30T06:43:46.290Z
2020-12-30T06:43:46.290Z
Jeff Eshe
<p>It's a Leathercraft 5-in-one Multi Tool.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/810136661/leathercraft-5-in-1-multi-tool-3ea" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/810136661/leathercraft-5-in-1-multi-tool-3ea</a></p>
<p>It's supposed to pull apart and... do various clever things, but quite frankly I see nothing to recommend it over a traditional awl etc. which has a proper handle.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-08-21T16:59:03.300Z
After having looked at the picture you linked to I can just confirm ... it certainly looks 100% the same :)
PetaspeedBeaver
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-26T18:33:18.987Z
2021-01-26T18:33:18.987Z
Mark Morgan Lloyd
<p>It looks like a multi tool, the very point could be used as a awl as previously said, the part with the indentations to aply all sorts of compounds to the edge end last but not least the end portion resambles a burnishing tool. So its probably a &quot;jack of all trades&quot; tool as commonly found on those kits, its probably not the best for each feature but certainly can be a nice tool to have</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-03T07:52:40.493Z
2021-01-03T07:52:40.493Z
user10118
<p>My friend began taking up leatherwork. This tool came in a kit he bought. We know what everything else is except for this piece, and a reverse Google image search came up short. Just showed us bullets and pencils. Anybody know what this is and what it's for?</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/mt1jL.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/mt1jL.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T14:17:02.343Z
Hi Kyle, I think this is for punching holes in the leather, but I'm sure there's someone here who's more familiar with leatherworking. Welcome to Arts & Crafts!
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-27T14:21:12.937Z
Does it open up on the grooves? It looks to me like there might be more parts or other options when opening up.
Willeke
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-28T18:50:23.760Z
It doesn't open up anywhere but the brass plating can freely spin on the axis of the tool.
Kyle Anderson
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-01-26T16:57:16.690Z
What's that writing on it... it looks like "DRY LEATHER TOOL"? Is there more on the other side? Why does the bottom look like we can see through it? The surface has different colours which suggests that it's been used, I'd vote for it being a dip-pen for marking and would point to an apparent ink stain near the bottom of the grooves.
Mark Morgan Lloyd
<leather><tool-identification>
Can any leather crafters tell me what tool this is?
Kyle Anderson
# Can any leather crafters tell me what tool this is?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-22)

My friend began taking up leatherwork. This tool came in a kit he bought. We know what everything else is except for this piece, and a reverse Google image search came up short. Just showed us bullets and pencils. Anybody know what this is and what it's for?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/mt1jL.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/mt1jL.jpg)

**Tags:** leather, tool-identification

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hi Kyle, I think this is for punching holes in the leather, but I'm sure there's someone here who's more familiar with leatherworking. Welcome to Arts & Crafts!  
> **username_2**: Does it open up on the grooves? It looks to me like there might be more parts or other options when opening up.  
> **username_0**: It doesn't open up anywhere but the brass plating can freely spin on the axis of the tool.  
> **username_3**: What's that writing on it... it looks like "DRY LEATHER TOOL"? Is there more on the other side? Why does the bottom look like we can see through it? The surface has different colours which suggests that it's been used, I'd vote for it being a dip-pen for marking and would point to an apparent ink stain near the bottom of the grooves.  

---

## 4 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2020-12-22. Score: 5

Awls are typically used for punching holes into objects, awls come in different styles. This one in particular, if you look at the back end, looks very durable, and able to be hammered on the back without issues. So it is able to push through thick leather easily.

Standard image of an awl:  
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/SR5SC.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/SR5SC.jpg)

Awl being used to punch hole:
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/t2xqN.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/t2xqN.jpg)

Awl being used in practice to lace leather:  
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/LDsGx.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/LDsGx.png)

Sources:  
<https://hausoftools.com/blogs/news/tools-of-the-trade-tools-for-leather-working>

<https://www.instructables.com/how-to-prepare-leather-for-sewing/>

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: My leather awl was hastily made from a 6" nail ground to a point just like that. For the little leatherwork (and similar - I've just made a belt from a bike tyre) I do, pushing is much more likely than hammering so the ergonomic shape is worthwhile  
> **username_5**: The photo in the question looks like the tip is too fine to serve as a centre punch that gets hit. It wouldn't last long at all.  
> **username_4**: Yea, that may be correct, it probably would break off.  
> **username_0**: The back/top end is flat and wider than the rest of the tool. Why would you hit down on the fine tip? Or do you mean to hit the tip into the leather? The craftsmanship of the tool is pretty sturdy and has a surprising amount of weight to it. I also noticed the brass plating seems to spin uniformly on the axis or shaft of the tool. Does that help with the description?  
> **username_4**: Yes, you would hit the tip into the leather to create a hole. By hitting it on the back-end. Which is why it is sturdy/heavy weighed for that purpose.  
> **username_3**: It's not nearly sharp (or amenable to sharpening) to be an awl, and it lacks the comfortable handle. When I started buying that sort of thing I got a (welcome) lecture from the supplier (Leprevo in the UK) on the correct technique used to sharpen it.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2020-12-30. Score: 3

To me the tip looks just like the tool I use to apply edge coat. The little indentations hold the edge coat as you apply it. I’m assuming the pointed end spins? If so that’s what you have, a tool to apply an edge coat. An edge coat is applied as a thick coating to finish any edge on your project. Before that takes place you would burnish the edge with a chemical, gum tragacanth. I use fiebings for the gum and edge coat. Or you can simply coat an edge using water, then using a clean cotton cloth rub the edges treated with water for just a few second, the edge will get glossy. Then apply the edge coat. Hope I nailed it!


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2021-01-26. Score: 3

It's a Leathercraft 5-in-one Multi Tool.

<https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/810136661/leathercraft-5-in-1-multi-tool-3ea>

It's supposed to pull apart and... do various clever things, but quite frankly I see nothing to recommend it over a traditional awl etc. which has a proper handle.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: After having looked at the picture you linked to I can just confirm ... it certainly looks 100% the same :)  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2021-01-03. Score: 3

It looks like a multi tool, the very point could be used as a awl as previously said, the part with the indentations to aply all sorts of compounds to the edge end last but not least the end portion resambles a burnishing tool. So its probably a "jack of all trades" tool as commonly found on those kits, its probably not the best for each feature but certainly can be a nice tool to have


---

