Why Top Leathercrafters Are Ditching Basic Awls for This Game-Changer

🧵 Think an awl is just for marking holes? Think again.

In the world of leathercraft, some tools do far more than they get credit for. The humble awl? It’s often dismissed as just a basic poker for marking holes. But if you’ve ever tried to stitch clean, angled saddle seams on thick leather, you already know—it’s not about how sharp your tool is, but how precisely it guides your work.

Especially when it comes to French-style hand stitching, where consistency, angle, and alignment are everything, your awl is either your best friend or your biggest frustration.

📍 Let's Talk About Hole Geometry (Yes, Really)

French saddle stitching isn’t just about thread. It’s about angle. A 45° diagonal hole, cleanly pierced and matched on both sides, gives you that beautiful slant to your stitches. Too shallow? Your seam looks flat. Too deep? The leather gets chewed up.

That’s why experienced crafters aren’t settling for standard round awls anymore—they’re switching to dual-function tools that give them both the finesse of a French round awl and the power of a diamond expansion awl in one compact design.

🎥 Case in Point: London Brand Abokika Is Already Using It

In March, London-based leather atelier Abokika shared a behind-the-scenes look at one of their signature origami-style leather boxes. In the video, the crafter pauses to comment:

“I thought an awl was just for making marks until today. This one feels so different compared to my old one – it’s much smoother and more precise. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
— @abokika, Instagram, March 26

image credit: Abokika

And yes—they were using our Yorkshine Upgraded French Round + Diamond Expansion Awl.

It’s not about flexing the brand. It’s about real professionals quietly upgrading their tools because it actually makes the work cleaner, faster, and more enjoyable.

🧠 Why More Pros Are Switching to Dual-Function Awls

Whether it’s Reddit threads on r/Leathercraft or discussions in niche Facebook leatherworking groups, one trend is clear: leathercrafters are getting more intentional with their tools.

Common frustrations people talk about:

• Holes that blow out or crack thick leather

• Stitch lines that don’t track cleanly

• Angles that collapse once the needle passes through

What they want instead:

✅ Smooth piercing and less resistance
✅ Better control when working on curved or multi-layered surfaces
✅ Consistent slanted holes that match up cleanly

The Yorkshine awl hits that sweet spot. It’s not just another tool—it solves multiple pain points at once. Which, let’s be honest, is rare.

🧰 Who’s This Awl For? (Hint: It’s Not Just for Experts)

You don’t need to be a master saddler to feel the difference. If you’ve ever:

• Tried to stitch thick leather and had your holes collapse or tear

• Wanted neater slanted seams but your awl kept slipping

• Felt like your hand was fighting the tool, not using it

...then yeah, this awl’s for you.

With a tapered French-style round tip and a mid-body diamond zone, it gives you fine entry control and the ability to expand or clean up holes in heavy veg-tan. No extra tools needed. No switch-outs mid-project.

This kind of tool isn’t flashy—but once you use it, you don’t go back.

🏁 The Takeaway: It’s the Little Tools That Unlock Big Improvements

Tools don’t make the craft—but they sure as hell make it smoother.

The Yorkshine dual-function awl has found its way into some of the best workbenches for a reason. It’s precise, versatile, and a serious upgrade for anyone who cares about beautiful stitches and a better workflow.

🛠️ You can check it out here: Yorkshine Dual-Function Awl

🧳 About CÍ

CÍ is a boutique leathercraft tool shop based in London, offering a curated selection of premium tools from our own factory and independent partner makers around the world. We specialize in professional-grade leatherworking gear—hot foil stamping machines, pricking irons, edge tools, skiving machines, strap cutters, and more.

With global shipping and long-term aftersales support, we make it easier than ever for crafters everywhere to access tools they can trust.

References 

Abokika (2024) Instagram Post, March 26. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DHqah08iVi0/ (Accessed: 20 May 2025).

Reddit (2024) ‘What leather sewing awl are you using?’, r/Leathercraft. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/18rlmlp/ (Accessed: 20 May 2025).

Reddit (2024) ‘Best awl for clean slanted stitches?’, r/Leathercraft. Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/Leathercraft/comments/1f6dob4/ (Accessed: 20 May 2025).