What Is an Awl Tool Used For? Types, Uses & How It Works
An awl tool is a pointed hand tool used to make starter holes for screws, scribe layout lines, and pierce leather or canvas. There are four main types — scratch awl, bradawl, stitching awl, and diamond awl — each designed for a specific task. This guide covers what each type does, how to use it correctly, and when a bradawl outperforms a drill bit.
Quick Answer
An awl tool is used to make starter holes for screws and nails, scribe marking lines on wood or metal, and pierce holes in leather and thick fabric. The most common type for woodworking is the scratch awl (marking/scribing) and the bradawl (starter holes). Stitching awls are for leatherwork and canvas repair.
What Is an Awl Tool?
An awl is a hand tool consisting of a sharp steel point attached to a handle, used to pierce, mark, or start holes in wood, leather, metal, and other materials. Awls are one of the oldest tools in recorded history — early versions were made from bone and stone — and remain standard in woodworking, leatherworking, and general DIY because they create clean, precise holes without requiring power.
The key advantage of an awl over a drill for hole-starting is control: an awl creates an indentation that guides a screw or drill bit exactly where you want it, preventing the bit from skating across the surface. For a bradawl specifically, the blade is placed across the wood grain and twisted 90°, which displaces fibers rather than splitting them — important when working close to an edge.
Types of Awl Tools and Their Uses
There are four main types of awls. Each has a different tip profile designed for a specific application:
| Type | Tip Shape | Primary Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratch Awl | Round tapered point | Scribing layout lines, marking hole centers | Woodworking, metalwork |
| Bradawl | Flat chisel-like blade | Starter holes for screws/nails without splitting | Woodworking, carpentry |
| Stitching Awl | Round point with needle | Sewing thick materials by hand | Leather, canvas, upholstery repair |
| Diamond Awl | 4-sided diamond tip | Punching slits in leather | Leatherworking, saddle repair |
Scratch Awl (Scribing Awl)
A scratch awl has a round, tapered steel point that is drawn across a surface to leave a shallow scribed groove. In woodworking, it is used to mark cut lines before sawing or chiseling — the groove acts as a guide that keeps the saw blade or chisel on the correct line. You can also press the point into the surface with palm pressure to create a center-punch mark for a drill bit, preventing the bit from wandering.
Bradawl
A bradawl has a flat, chisel-shaped blade rather than a round point. To use it correctly: place the blade perpendicular to the wood grain (across the fibers), push down with firm pressure, then twist 90°. This severs and displaces the wood fibers, creating a clean hole without splitting the wood along the grain — which is the common failure when using a round awl or a drill near an edge. Bradawls are the standard tool for making pilot holes before driving small screws by hand in finish carpentry and cabinet work.
Stitching Awl
A stitching awl combines a piercing tip with a needle and bobbin of thread, allowing the user to sew through thick materials by hand. It works similarly to a sewing machine — the needle carries a loop of thread through the hole, which locks with the thread on the other side. Stitching awls are standard for repairing shoes, saddles, canvas bags, tents, and upholstery where a sewing machine cannot reach.
Diamond Awl
A diamond awl has a four-sided, diamond-shaped tip that creates a narrow slit rather than a round hole. The slit closes around the thread after stitching, producing a tighter, more water-resistant seam than a round-hole awl. Diamond awls are specialty leatherworking tools used by saddle makers, cobblers, and leather artisans.
Basic Awl Tool Uses
Across woodworking and leatherworking, awls perform five core functions:
- Starter holes for screws and nails: A bradawl creates an indentation that prevents screws from slipping and reduces the risk of wood splitting near edges — especially useful in hardwoods and near corners where pre-drilling with a power drill risks overcutting.
- Scribing layout lines: A scratch awl scores a clean, visible groove along a straightedge or marking gauge, giving saws and chisels a precise path to follow.
- Marking hole centers: Press the point into the material at the marked center to create a divot that anchors a drill bit — essential for accurate drilling on smooth or slippery surfaces like metal.
- Piercing leather and canvas: A stitching or diamond awl punches clean holes through thick materials without tearing the fibers, giving a strong foundation for hand stitching.
- Tracing and transferring patterns: Scribing awls transfer patterns from paper templates to wood by tracing the design lines, leaving a visible groove on the workpiece.
How to Use an Awl Tool
- Mark your starting point: Use a pencil, marking knife, or ruler to indicate exactly where the hole or line should go before picking up the awl.
- Position the tip: Place the awl point directly on the marked spot. For a bradawl, orient the blade across (perpendicular to) the wood grain.
- Apply downward pressure: Press firmly with the palm of your dominant hand while gripping the handle. For a scratch awl on soft wood, palm pressure alone is enough. For hardwood or metal, a light tap with the heel of the hand helps seat the tip.
- Twist to create the hole (bradawl only): Rotate the handle 90° while maintaining downward pressure. This displaces the wood fibers cleanly rather than splitting them.
- Check depth: For screw starter holes, the indentation needs to be deep enough to guide the screw tip — typically 3–5mm. Remove and re-insert if more depth is needed.
- Drive the screw or drill bit: The indentation now acts as a guide. Place the screw tip or drill bit into the hole and drive straight in.
Choosing The Right Awl Tool
For general woodworking, a scratch awl and a bradawl together cover 95% of use cases. The scratch awl handles all marking, scribing, and center-punching; the bradawl handles starter holes for screws. Both should have a comfortable wooden or rubberized handle that allows firm palm pressure without slipping. Look for a full-tang construction (steel rod running the full length of the handle) — awls without a full tang can loosen over time with heavy use.
If you work with leather, canvas, or upholstery, add a stitching awl — a basic model with replaceable needles costs $10–$20 and handles most repair work. A diamond awl is only necessary for saddle-making or professional leatherwork.
Editor’s Pick
Irwin Tools Scratch Awl
A reliable full-tang scratch awl with a hardwood handle — the go-to for scribing layout lines and starting screw holes in wood. Comfortable grip, sharp point out of the box, and durable enough for daily workshop use.
- Full-tang steel construction — won’t loosen under pressure
- Hardwood handle with smooth finish for palm comfort
- Sharp tapered point for clean scribe lines and center marks
- Works on wood, leather, plastic, and light metal
Maintaining Awl Tools
Keep the tip sharp — a dull awl requires excessive force and produces ragged holes. Sharpen scratch awls and bradawls on a fine whetstone or leather strop, using a circular motion to maintain the taper. A few strokes every few weeks is enough for regular use. After sharpening, wipe the tip lightly with a cloth to remove any burrs. Store awls point-down in a tool roll or with a cork or plastic cap over the tip to protect both the edge and your hands.
Safety Tips
Proper Usage
Always push the awl away from your body and never toward your free hand. Secure the workpiece in a vise or with clamps — a piece that shifts under pressure can redirect the tip unpredictably. When piercing leather or canvas, place the material on a scrap wood board so the tip has somewhere to go after breaking through. Never use an awl as a pry bar or screwdriver — the steel is hardened for point pressure, not lateral force, and the tip can snap.
Protective Gear
Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling awls during setup — the tip is sharp enough to penetrate skin with minimal pressure. Safety glasses are recommended when using an awl on brittle materials like hardened plastic, where small chips can fly. Keep children away from awl storage; a leather tool roll with snapped closures is the safest storage option in a shared workshop.
Awl Tool Alternatives
For starter holes in soft wood, a finish nail and hammer accomplish the same result as a bradawl. For precise hole centers in metal, a center punch and hammer is more accurate than an awl. For scribing long layout lines, a marking knife produces a cleaner, deeper line than a scratch awl. However, none of these alternatives match the awl’s combination of speed, control, and ability to work in tight spaces without a mallet — which is why awls remain in most professional toolboxes despite the availability of power tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About Awl Tools
What Is An Awl Tool Used For?
An awl tool is used for making starter holes for screws and nails, scribing layout lines on wood and metal, marking drill hole centers, and piercing leather or canvas for hand sewing. The scratch awl handles marking tasks; the bradawl handles hole-starting in wood. For leatherwork, a stitching awl or diamond awl is used.
What Is the Difference Between a Scratch Awl and a Bradawl?
A scratch awl has a round, tapered point used for scribing lines and marking surfaces. A bradawl has a flat, chisel-shaped blade used specifically for making starter holes in wood — the flat blade cuts across the wood grain and displaces fibers rather than splitting them, which prevents wood from cracking near edges. For marking: use a scratch awl. For starter holes: use a bradawl.
Can An Awl Be Used For Sewing?
Yes — a stitching awl is designed specifically for hand-sewing thick materials like leather, canvas, and upholstery. It combines a piercing tip with a needle and thread bobbin, allowing the user to create a locked stitch through materials too thick for a regular needle. It is commonly used for repairing shoes, saddles, canvas bags, and boat upholstery.
Is An Awl Tool Necessary For Woodworking?
A scratch awl is not strictly necessary but significantly improves accuracy. Scribing a line with an awl is more precise than pencil marks, which can smear or be wide enough to introduce error. A bradawl is especially useful when driving small screws by hand near edges, where pre-drilling with a power drill risks overcutting. Most experienced woodworkers keep both on the bench.
How Do You Use An Awl Tool Safely?
Always push the awl away from your body, never toward your free hand. Secure the workpiece before starting. Place leather and canvas on a scrap wood board before piercing. Never apply lateral force to the tip. Store awls with a cork or cap over the point. Wear cut-resistant gloves when handling during setup, and keep the tool out of reach of children.
What Is the Difference Between an Awl and an Ice Pick?
An ice pick and a scratch awl look similar but serve different purposes. An ice pick has a thicker, stronger shaft designed to chip and break ice under impact force. A scratch awl has a finer, more precisely ground tip designed for accurate marking and light piercing without impact. Using an ice pick for woodworking marking will produce ragged lines and inaccurate marks — and vice versa, an awl would bend or snap under the impact force used to break ice.
Conclusion
An awl tool is one of the simplest tools in the workshop, but it does specific jobs better than any power tool can. A scratch awl for scribing and marking, a bradawl for starter holes in wood near edges, and a stitching awl for leather and canvas repair — those three cover virtually every use case. Keep the tips sharp, store safely, and an awl set will last decades with zero maintenance beyond occasional sharpening.
