I use as a base hardened blue steel concrete nails (3.5 mm in diameter)

Using a clamp vise, I draft the four faces on the high speed grinder.

It is necessary to dip frequently  the blade into water to avoid loosing the steel's temper.

Then I refined the faces to the water grinding wheel.

The blades are then sharpened onto the diamond stone using progressive grit, up to 2000 grit.       

Lubrication with water.       

It is important not to leave a pointed blade, but on the contrary the tip should be flat, rounded and sharp.

The edge is finally honed on a leather strop.       

Here is a first ebony handle and brass ferrule. It is important to adjust the volume and the length of the handle to the size of your hand.

A second curly ash handle.

The flat handle avoids the tool from rolling down the table.

The biggest awl at the top of the picture is an old harness awl that I restored.  (Big model, for harnesses and horse tackles).