What's the purpose of the Awl here. Confused

[kenshireen]

for tying the knot you need an awl [3] to fix the string and I recommend using parallel jaw pliers to tighten the knot. Sometimes you'll be happy if you own a so-called pathfinder awl [4]. You can retract such an awl's point within an outer sheath, so you can insert a string into the sheath, enabling you to thread strings through grommets that are blocked by another string. You can manage without a pathfinder awl, but sometimes that's a torture. Handle your pathfinder awl carefully, it's quite a delicate instrument.
If you're stringing an older racquet that has damaged grommets and the string is in danger of running along sharp edges you should use a string tubing. That's a simple tube that's inserted into a grommet hole. If your grommets should be too narrow - bad luck - you'll have to buy a new grommet.

Also.. does the string tube stay on the racket after stringing

 

[diredesire]

Fixing the string with an awl is an outdated and frankly crappy (in general) technique. Stringers used to jam an awl in the tie off hole to hold tension while they tied the knot off. This technique is still used today on occasion, and really doesn't have a place, IMO.

It adds another variable and a definite risk factor. If you nick the string you're trying to fix, there is a significant chance that it will pop (it has happened to me before). For me, the awl is used sparingly, on occasion i will need to widen a hole with it, and (CAREFULLY) wiggle the tip around once it's inside the hole.

Another use can be to (extremely carefully) move aside a string that is blocking a hole. This isn't typically recommended, but can often work wonders. I only resort to this as a last-ditch effort, due to the fact that a slip of the hand/tip/awl can mar a frame and/or nick the blocking string.

Edit: Where did you get that excerpt, anyways?

 

[Gmedlo]

Is fixing the tie string by sticking an awl through the grommet really that bad to do? I haven't found any other method that doesn't leave me with significant tension loss.

 

[diredesire]

Is fixing the tie string by sticking an awl through the grommet really that bad to do? I haven't found any other method that doesn't leave me with significant tension loss.

IMO it's an un-necessary risk, and it just takes one mistake, even if you've been successful 50 times! I think if you're really worried about tension loss on knots you can either: make sure your knot technique is up to par, or up the tension on the last most strings. I personally do NOT compensate for tension loss, although there are many who do!

 

[kenshireen]

Edit: Where did you get that excerpt, anyways?[/QUOTE]

Stringforum.net

 

[Loco4Tennis]

IMO it's an un-necessary risk, and it just takes one mistake, even if you've been successful 50 times! I think if you're really worried about tension loss on knots you can either: make sure your knot technique is up to par, or up the tension on the last most strings. I personally do NOT compensate for tension loss, although there are many who do!

i agree here
even tought the owl should be round and doll at the point, when there is tension on the line, one slip will cut the line like a knife through butter, be carefull when using it like "diredesire" mentioned

 

[samster]

I never use the awl when I am stringing. It is not necessary.

 

[shojun25]

Like DireDesire mentioned, its basically use to open up grommet holes.

 

[YULitle]

If you tie your knots properly, you can minimize the tension loss without risking damaging the string (with the awl) or the frame (with the awl and also using the increased tension method.)

And yes, the tubing does stay in the frame after stringing, in this isntance.

 

[Serve n' Volley]

Like DireDesire mentioned, its basically use to open up grommet holes.

That's the only thing I use it for.

 

[mclee025]

An regular awl can be very useful when installing a new set of grommets on a racquet as most grommets don't just slip into place willingly. An awl gives you the ability to pry and apply leverage as needed to get those stubborn grommets to comply.

 

[southend]

The excerpt is discussing two types of awls. The first awl has many purposes as described above. The second, pathfinder awl, is good to use if a hole is blocked by strings. I have one but use it infrequently. The tube or sleeve does not stay on the racquet -- The sleeve on the awl (aka pathfinder awl) is hollow and when the awl is withdrawn, the hollow in the sleeve is still in the racquet -- thus you pull the string through the sleeve. After the string is through the sleeve, you withdraw the sleeve. Go to www. e a g n a s. com for stringing tools and there is a good explanation for how it works.

 

[dancraig]

http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen/st101.html#ST101OP

 

[1012007]

http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen/st101.html#ST101OP

How does that work if you have already strung most of the crosses. You wont be able to take the metal bit off as itis not stuck on the outside of the frame?

 

[TravelinMan]

http://www.eagnas.com/maxgen/st101.html#ST101OP

Do NOT waste your time or money on the Eagnas pathfinder awl. The first one I ordered, the two pieces were frozen together and had salt water residue. The second one worked for about 10 racquets then came apart. I also use a Gamma pathfinder awl, which has a little different method but is a much better tool. I've also used the scrap string method learned here on blocked holes.

 

[dancraig]

How does that work if you have already strung most of the crosses. You wont be able to take the metal bit off as itis not stuck on the outside of the frame?

I've never used or seen one but I suppose you could still insert the awl from the outside. Then insert the string into the small hollow tip and push it through to the outside. Then remove the tip.

 

[Steve Huff]

I use an awl to enlarge holes, especially if they need tubed. I even have a couple of different sizes of awls. Occasionally, I'll come across a broken grommet that I missed on original inspection. I'll enlarge the grommet with the awl, stick a piece of tubing in, and continue stringing. This is especially usefull on nearly all Head rackets, which seem to have small grommets. Sometimes, someone will just request having their top and bottom grommets tubed. These almost always need enlarged with an awl. It's been a long time since I've had to stick an awl into a grommet that already has a string in it. Usually, a good piece of poly string will work just as well to create a path, and will have far fewer risk of breaking the string.