An awl is a small, pointed tool used for making holes in leather, wood, or other materials. Picture a sharp metal spike attached to a handle: you press and twist the point into the material to create a clean opening.

Cobblers (shoemakers) use awls constantly when crafting or repairing shoes, punching holes for stitching leather together. A bookbinder might use an awl to pierce holes along a book's spine before sewing the pages. Sailors historically used awls to work with heavy canvas sails, and woodworkers still use them to mark spots for drilling or to start small holes for screws.

The awl works differently from a drill: instead of removing material, it pushes fibers aside to create an opening. This makes it perfect for working with leather, since it doesn't weaken the material the way cutting would.

The word sounds exactly like “all” when spoken, which can create confusion. If someone asks you to hand them “the awl,” they want the tool, not everything in sight!