scratch awl

noun

, Carpentry.

1. an awllike device for scribing wood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scratch awl¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Then strengthen the pencil or carbon lines by scratching lightly with a scratch awl.

From Project Gutenberg

He could use the square and the scratch-awl now, as well as the plane; and his wages were correspondingly increased.

From Project Gutenberg