awl
/ɔːl
/noun
A small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather.Start your screw hole with an awl by tapping gently with a hammer or a soft-face mallet....
- The awl cuts a tidy hole in the leather that will close up tight around the thread as it is sewn, leaving a watertight stitch.
- Once the cabinets are marked lightly in pencil, use an awl or a center punch to create an indentation at the desired spot.
Origin
Old English æl, of Germanic origin; related to German Ahle.