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Your cart is empty.This is a square blade birdcage scratch awl made by a small Czech firm. It has a beautifully turned stained beech handle with steel ferrule and a high carbon tool steel blade. Blade length is 3 1/2", handle length is 2 1/2" with a 1 1/2" diameter. Scratch Awls are ideal for quickly pre-drilling for screws or even for general mark-out work. Works well in hardwoods. This is an excellent value in a high quality tool.
AJEI
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
This is a well made tool and serves its purpose well. Just a note that the tapered point is a little more blunt than the one shown in the photo and the square taper is much more gradual. Don't know that this is better or worse. I do like the idea of adding flats on the handle to keep it from rolling, I will take my chances, for now. I've since purchased two more to give to my dad and uncle.
Rudimentary Bold
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2024
I ordered this tool to use as a bradawl. It is very sharp so I have fashioned a cap-end out of dowl to protect the point and me.Highly recommend!
rue des chasseurs 4 6250 pont de loup
Reviewed in Belgium on June 5, 2024
DE TRES BELLE QUALITER SUPER
R.H.
Reviewed in Germany on June 17, 2024
Hallo, found a good awl at last. I was going to make myself one, but now have saved my time. Good Carbon tip, and wooden handle. Fairly cheap too.
Bill A.
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2024
Narex is a quality tool maker. This specialized awl will be a nice addition to my toolbox.
Stephen Bloomberg
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2023
This is a great tool to have around the house. They were originally used in the field to drill holes for bird cages (thus the name). I mainly use it to make pilot and starter holes for screws. Great price and it came sharp.
KenD
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2022
The wood handle is nice--- BUT---it's round.NO flats to prevent the tool from easily rolling off a benchtop, or the like.If it rolls off, and the tip hits a concrete floor, the tip will get damaged.NOTE: FLATS need to be machined on two sides, 180 degrees apart).The tapered section is NOT SQUARE, as described. There's a variation by over 0.20"---it's a rectangle NOT a SQUARE. (It will not produce a SQUARE hole, as needed for some tasks. If one is just poking a screw-starter hole in a 2x4, then it doesn't matter).The pointed tip is will suffice when scribing---however, when punching a screw-started hole, a slightly flat (square tip) is needed to fracture the wood fibers vs spreading them apart, to avoid splitting the wood---akin to using a square nail.NOTE: the wider section/faces need to machined to make it square.
Juan Antonio.
Reviewed in Spain on September 11, 2020
Es magnifico, bonito por su artesanía y muy practico a la hora de utilizar.
yves
Reviewed in France on July 28, 2020
merci conforme super merci
Jim
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2019
This thing comes stupidly sharp, but after a bit of use it is perfect. Out of the box it's point is so fine you could snap it off with your fingers.The edges are ground very sharp 90 degrees so you can easily ream holes deep into wood. It cleanly cuts the wood rather than just separates the fibers.Very nice tool from Narex, haven't been disappointed with them yet. (Might be ordering the chisels pretty soon)
Russell
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2019
I was a bit worried the 4" blade would be too long but when held in the palm, near my pinky, my pointer and middle fingers wrap around the blade and provide plenty of control. No worries about the length. Great tool. Also, some reviewers seem to be concerned that the blade is round and not square. I don't take issue with that because it stays square when sharpening with a stone or file. That's just me.
Karsten
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
Nice birdcage awl. It's is ultra sharp, truly square to the tip and very well made. I also have birdcage awls from some manufacturers who are known for high quality, but I believe this awl is better. The awl is much longer than most birdcage awls I've seen, and I'm glad it is, because I find this better for my type of woodwork.
G. Conner
Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2016
Like all the Narex tools I've tried, this is well made and fairly priced. I prefer square bladed or "birdcage" style awls because they can act as a drill to set screws. When marking, the squared edge and sharp point leaves a clearer line and the tool is less likely to wander away from straightedges. There are many other brands that are also good, but they cost much more, sometimes double or triple what this costs. there's no practical reason to pay that much for such a simple tool. You can also make such a tool for even less money, but it would take some time and materials. If you just love fancy tools and have the money, go find the expensive ones. They'll give you pride of ownership, but cannot work any better. If you are on a severe low budget, handy with metal working and have a grinder, or just a slip-stone and a lot of time, you can make your own.If you are on a normal budget, and just want a good tool at a fair price, this is a great choice.Highly recommended. Even Paul Sellers likes these!
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