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awl
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Illustration showing labeled basic carpentry hand tools, including backsaw, handsaw, try square, miter box, claw hammer, screwdriver, brace and bits, metal smoothing plane, level, rasps, chisels, punches, pliers, gimlet, awl, and tape measure.
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awl

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Illustration showing labeled basic carpentry hand tools, including backsaw, handsaw, try square, miter box, claw hammer, screwdriver, brace and bits, metal smoothing plane, level, rasps, chisels, punches, pliers, gimlet, awl, and tape measure.
hand tools Basic hand tools used in carpentry.

An awl is a pointed tool used for marking surfaces or piercing small holes, commonly in materials like leather or wood. It has been in use since before the 12th century.1

There are specific types of awls, such as the sewing awl, which is used by shoemakers to create holes for stitches in leather. Another type is the drawing awl, which features an eye for pulling a thread through the hole it bores.23

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  3. drawing awl

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