# Best Sewing Awls for Leather: Stitching and Scratch Awls Reviewed Source: https://leatherworknest.com/best/best-sewing-awls Updated: 2026-10-02 Publisher: Leatherwork Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://leatherworknest.com/how-we-research#our-score The awl is one of the oldest tools in leatherwork and still one of the most personal. A diamond-blade stitching awl pierces angled slits as you sew, letting saddlers stitch thick harness leather without pre-punching every hole, while automatic lockstitch awls suit quick canvas and repair jobs. The blade is everything: most affordable awls arrive dull and rough, and an unpolished blade drags, tears, and exhausts your hand. Haft shape and blade size matter too, since the awl must match your thread and stitch pitch. We compared ready-to-use polished awls, budget blades worth tuning up, and lockstitch tools, checking penetration effort and hole quality in heavy veg-tan. These are the awls that earn a permanent bench spot. ## Picks ### 1. Tandy Leather Sewing Awl Kit - Strong Lock Stitch for Leather, Canvas and Vinyl Repairs Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Tandy Leather's sewing awl kit for strong lock stitches on leather, canvas and vinyl, a portable repair stitcher. Pros: - Lock stitch holds seams on leather, canvas and vinyl repairs - Tandy kit is easy to resupply with needles and thread - Portable enough for tack, bag and gear fixes in the field Cons: - Lock stitch looks different from a hand saddle stitch - Takes a few tries to learn the loop and pull rhythm Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B00A2C8M6K ### 2. Speedy Stitcher 1125 SEW200-BRK Sewing Awl, One Size Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) The Speedy Stitcher 1125 sewing awl with wood handle, supplied with a straight needle, a curved needle and thread. The well-known lock stitch awl for heavy leather, canvas and gear repair. Pros: - Complete basic kit: the awl, one straight needle, one curved needle and thread, ready for heavy material repairs - Wood handle design from Speedy Stitcher, the long-established name in lock stitch sewing awls - Aimed at use at home, camp or farm, so it suits tack, straps, bags and other thick stitched gear Cons: - Only two needles and one supply of thread are included, far fewer extras than the multi-piece import kits - The listing is brief and does not state thread length, thread type or needle sizes Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B000HGIJQ4 ### 3. TKA United Swift Stitch Hand Sewing Awl Kit with 4 Straight Needles and 180 Yards Thread Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) TKA United's Swift Stitch hand sewing awl kit with 4 straight needles and 180 yards of thread for durable repairs. Pros: - 4 straight needles give spares if one snaps - 180 yards of thread supply lots of seam repairs - Swift Stitch awl sews through thick layers by hand Cons: - No curved needle for hard-to-reach seams - Awl handle design is plainer than premium stitchers Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B08L8Q6H4J ### 4. Speedy Stitcher® Deluxe Sewing Awl Kit Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Speedy Stitcher Deluxe Sewing Awl Kit, a hand-held lockstitch awl that comes with a straight needle, a curved needle and a threaded bobbin. Suits quick repairs to straps and bags. Pros: - Works like a hand-held sewing machine, so one tool pierces and stitches for strap and bag repairs without a separate needle and thread. - Ships with one straight needle, one curved needle and one threaded bobbin, so it can start work out of the package. - Made in the USA by the Speedy Stitcher brand, the same maker as the original Dritz-branded kit it replaces. Cons: - A lockstitch awl is aimed at repairs and canvas or gear work, not the fine, even hand saddle stitch used on finished leather goods. - The listing does not state thread weight or needle sizes, so check that they match your project before buying. Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0DP3H15R4 ### 5. GTAAOY Sewing Awl Kit, Portable Awl Tool Stitching Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) GTAAOY's lock stitch sewing awl kit with 7 straight and 2 bent needles, 7 rolls of waxed thread in 6 colors, a screwdriver, scissors, needle threaders and a tape measure. Pros: - 7 straight and 2 bent needles let you sew flat seams and reach awkward spots on bags, shoes and tents - 7 rolls of waxed thread in 6 colors (black, gray, brown, dark brown, khaki, white) to match most leather - Wood handle stores needles inside the body, with stainless steel tapered needles described as rustproof Cons: - A lock stitch repair awl, not a diamond awl for saddle stitching, so it suits repairs more than fine hand-sewn goods - Thread roll lengths and needle sizes are not given in the listing, and the brand is little known Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0CWRLL215 ### 6. 29Pcs Sewing Awl Kit, Leather Craft Repair Tools with Wax Thread, Needles Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) Zornaveli's 29-piece sewing awl kit: a lock stitch awl plus a straight awl for punching and a scraping awl for widening holes, with waxed thread in 6 colors, needles, seam ripper and storage bag. Pros: - Three awls in one kit: the stitching awl, a straight awl for punching holes and a scraping awl to widen them - Six colors of waxed thread, leather needles and a seam ripper are included, so repairs can start straight from the bag - Wood handle and metal body with stainless steel tapered needles, and needles store inside the stitcher body Cons: - No multi-prong stitching chisels are included, so hole spacing is marked and punched one hole at a time - Little-known brand, and the listing does not give thread lengths or needle sizes Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0FXWGPK5H ### 7. QMNNMA 40pcs Sewing Awl Kit with Bag, Portable Awl Stitching Tool for DIY Leather Sewing Repair Our score: 7.3/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) QMNNMA's 40pcs sewing awl kit with a bag, a portable awl stitching set for DIY leather sewing and repairs. Pros: - 40pcs kit includes plenty of needles and parts - Storage bag keeps everything together for travel - Portable set suits camping gear and on-the-go repairs Cons: - Many small parts may exceed what a beginner needs - Budget awl handle can feel light for heavy leather Details: https://leatherworknest.com/product/B0DB1SWBGR As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.