Definitions of awl on the Web:

* a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

* (5) -- pointed tool of bone, or of bronze or stone set in a handle, used for boring small holes in hides, wood and other materials (Warren, 140)
projectsx.dartmouth.edu/history/bronze_age/glossary.html

* a small point tool used for making holes especially in leather.
www.creswell-crags.org.uk/Books_and_links/Glossary.htm

* a bone or stone tool tapered to a point and used to pierce holes, make incisions, or in basket weaving.
darkwing.uoregon.edu/~mmoss/GLOSSARY.HTM

* a small pointed hand tool used for piercing holes in leather, wood and other materials,
farahsouth.cgu.edu/dictionary/

* Small pricking tool.
www.papiermache.co.uk/exec/cms-glossary/

* A small tool with a plain pointed steel shaft and a straight handle, mainly used as a scriber for marking hard surfaces
www.dreamghar.com/a1dic.htm