I received an email a few weeks ago from a gentleman who was looking for someone to make him Bookbinder's Awls. After receiving a photo and some specs it occured to me that it was what those of us in the wood world would call a Brad Awl. Amazing the different terminologies of the different trades used to describe the same tool.
Most of us wouldn't think of it, but paper and parchment are incredibly abrasive materials, equal to and in some case surpassing wood in their ability to dull an edge. After emails back and forth, we settled on using HSS for the .125" diameter blade with a chisel point end and a 40 degree included angle. The HSS is at Rockwell 62-63C and because of its composition will retain its temper even if blued on a grinder. I had to send it out for the heat treat because of the special schedule required to harden, quench, and temper HSS. The handles are Gabon Ebony with a oil and wax finish. It was a fun project.