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Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:43 am
by lancepryor
Colin Barnsley is currently trying to re-constitute the old Barnsley product line; I have bought a few of his sewing awls, which I like quite well, and I believe he also has inseaming awls and heel awls. The awls I got from Colin are of a smaller diameter/cross section than those I got from Dick Anderson, and I find them a bit more appropriate for shoemaking than Dick's. Of course, for the heavier work of bootmaking, Dick's awls and hafts are considered outstanding, although Barnsley may also make a heavier awl as well.

Colin currently has a sample of a square awl I provided, and he may be re-starting production of those as well.

I ordered directly from Colin/Woodware Repetitions, but I think now that he prefers to refer small orders in the USA to Edwin Hale of Hale & Company (http://haleandco.com/).

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:43 am
by paul
I just received my order from Edwim Hale, of Hale and Co.

http://www.haleandco.com/

I was very pleased with the service and conscientiousness of Mr. Hale. He's so much fun to speak with! And he seems to really care about what he's doing.

Check out his web site and give him a call.

PK

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:08 pm
by dearbone
6130.jpg


I made this one today, short & stout.

[edited by admin 28 Nov 07]

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:14 pm
by dearbone
Here is another inseaming awl i put on a hand carved oak haft, needed a bigger one for man's shoes/boots, i usually use copper pipe tubes for the haft throat cover,but this morning i noticed this rifle shell in my scraps, i picked it up, looked at it, it was the perfect width of 3/8 inch, i sawed off the ends and fitted the brass shell tube to the wood and than inserted my awl to the wood, it is one solid piece of awl now and surly it will be put to test soon.
8873.jpg

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:59 pm
by romango
Swords to plow shears, rifle shells to awls!

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:44 am
by dearbone
Rick,

That is so profound,i might engrave it on the awl itself just to remember it,i always thought there is a little mystic lurking behind most of you,but all things aside, this blank shell has the right diameter and the right temper for the job, not too hard and not too soft,i will be looking for few more,i know a fellow in the Canadian army reserve,he might be able help. you have a good day Rick.

Nasser

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:45 pm
by courtney
Edwin hale/hale&co, has listed now on ebay probably every barnsley awl there ever was. I did a search for "barnsley"
Check it out. I have nothing to do with it.

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:38 am
by hh1341
In an earlier discussion DW said that a 2 mm hole was adequate for in-seaming.

Now at appears to me that the awl makes what is more like a slit or flat oval hole. Are we talking about a slit 2 mm wide or a hole in the round with a 2 mm diameter.

Are we looking for an awl with a width of 2 mm.

A slit of 3.14 mm will make a 2 mm round hole.

Carl

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:54 am
by romango
This is my favorite inseaming awl.
11435.jpg


It is 2.2mm at what is about the maximum insertion depth. I think it's a little smaller than many folks use. But, hey, I'm just a delicate guy!

The blade is indeed flat. A wrist twisting motion easily cuts through the leather. Since the awl has bees wax on it, the hole becomes pretty rounded on the insertion side but is noticeably flat on the exit of the hole.

These blade are available from O. Baltor in SF.

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:17 am
by dw
Rick,

What are you asking for when you order the awls? Do they have a name printed/stamped on the haft? Most of mine are Kings and even the Swiss outfit (can't think of the name offhand) that used to sell some very good ones of many sizes was sending out Kings.

As an aside, I am of the opinion that twisting the awl blade prior to the tip emerging from the welt is a mistake. When you wiggle the awl, the tip swings in an arc that widens the slit/cut it would ordinarily make. I try to drive the awl through the holdfast upper and welt in a straight line with no wiggling.

I actually sharpen my awls to a finer point than they come with so that they are not so spoon shaped. The idea is to make the hole that is cut or pieced as small as possible and let the shaft of the awl widen the hole by stretching. A hole that is cut will always be that wide. A hole that is stretched open can be hammered closed. Just a thought.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:46 am
by romango
DW,

I certainly minimize the wiggle but I'll try making it a little sharper and doing without the wiggle.

I think the wiggle also gives me some better control on the trajectory.

Unfortunately, the awls from O. Baltor have no markings. I have 2 sizes from them. The smaller has the 2.2 mm shaft (actually 2.7 at the widest part) and the larger is 7cm long. The larger is 7.5 cm long an has a 3.1 mm shaft at the widest.

They have them is a little case in the office.
I'm guessing they are a good quality as Mr. Ham Hands has not broke one yet. Image

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 7:43 pm
by dw
Rick,

It was not my intent to instruct or even advise...just more by way of observation.

I have taken to sharpening mine so that they look, at the tip, more like the German sickle awls than the English style. I really don't believe in the spoon shape...especially if the insole is holed prior to lasting.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 8:47 pm
by romango
DW,

Did I sound petulant?

Your advice, comments or asides are always welcome.

That's the great thing about the forum. Always different ways to look at and consider various techniques.

I love it!

- Rick

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 9:00 pm
by dw
Rick,
Did I sound petulant?


Not at all. I was just covering my hip pocket.
That's the great thing about the forum. Always different ways to look at and consider various techniques.


I agree. Image

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:25 pm
by hh1341
Trying to post an awl pic......it's a jpg....she only seems to want to accept giffs and bitmaps.

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 1:32 pm
by romango
jpg will work fine.

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:01 pm
by hh1341
Thanks Rick,

Got it to work

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:58 am
by bdadamovicz
Just found this on German ebay. I can help get a pack if there are any left for those interested and have my man in Germany mail them to me. I already purchased one and it came to just under $23 for 50.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Maeder-Flachahlen-Ahlen-70mm-in-alter-Originalverpackg-/3 21052411483?pt=Alte_Berufe&hash=item4ac037065b

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:03 am
by bdadamovicz
To clarify the add states one box of 50 is left.

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 11:29 am
by dw
Blake,

Well, what the length? I'd buy them right now if they will suit.

Tight Stitches
DWFII--HCC Member

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 2:55 pm
by paul
I could sure use some! 8cm is about 3 3/16". Could we share?
Paul

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:06 pm
by brooklyn_edie
I'll take a few if there are any available.
Edie

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:07 am
by bdadamovicz
I realize now that I phrased my question wrong in how I put this out there. I meant it more to be for those that wanted to buy a box more so than to buy a box amongst us all. Anyhow between the responses here and the private messages and emails I could have bought all the boxes the man had and still needed more.

I will do my best to get some awls out of the box I purchased to each person that has messaged and asked. One special person will have a box coming there way, I hope soon. Just be aware there are middle men and I have a good friend in Germany that is acting as a go between for anything I buy there and willing to either ship it to me or get it to my friends stationed there that can ship it here much cheaper. That unfortunately takes a bit of time, luckily this is a small package and can be mailed here quickly and easily once he gets it.

I will let you all know if the seller messages me letting me know there are more. I am also converting 70mm to 2.75"

BDA

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 1:12 am
by bdadamovicz
As I posted I received a message from the seller I can get 5 more boxes let me know what the interest is. It is a little bit more than I have on hand to just put out, sorry just bought tires for my truck. I will message him again and ask if he will ship directly to me if I buy 5 boxes and if he may have longer lengths.

BDA

Re: Inseaming Awls

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 12:10 pm
by bdadamovicz
Ok all here is the latest rough estimate of what I have for 5 boxes (250 awl blades) shipped here to the states. There is no profit being made here so I'm hoping that this is allowed if not could a moderator please XX out the prices I state and people please email me for more info.

The cost of the group purchase is 5x14.90=74.50 euro +12 euro shipping brings the total to 86.50. At this moments exchange rate that equals $113.03 so approximately $.46 yes 46 cents an awl.

Now if you all want in remember these are 2 3/4 (2.75) inches long. Message me what you want and I'll put a list together. If you can get me money in the next day or two that would be great, before you do message me and we'll figure out shipping and those details. I think there should be more than enough for all those that were interested and I'll be buying some extra for the future just in case. My mailbox has been rather full the last few day from this so hopefully this turns out well.

BDA