Top 6 Awl Tool Shops in New Mexico 2025

The exterior of a Tandy Leather store in New Mexico, a top shop for awl tools and leatherworking supplies.

Whether you need a fine awl for hand-stitching, top-grade veg-tan sides, or expert advice on your next project, these seven New-Mexico destinations have you covered. 

What are the top 6 awl tool shops in New Mexico in 2025?

  1. DL Leather Works – Albuquerque (custom awls & veg-tan)
  2. R. L. Cox Leather – Albuquerque (tack & heavy-duty awls)
  3. Tandy Leather – Albuquerque (nationwide awl super-store)
  4. Kestrel Leather – Gallup (Route 66 studio with hand-forged awls)
  5. Rafter E Custom Leather – Roswell (saddle-grade awls)
  6. Overland Sheepskin Co. – Taos (luxury leather & precision awls)

6 Awl Tool Shops in New Mexico

1. DL LeatherWorks – Albuquerque

  • Focus: Custom bags, briefcases, wallets & sheaths – all hand-made in-house.
  • What you’ll find: Professional-grade hand tools, premium leathers, and Dwight Lamberson’s 30 years of pattern-making wisdom.
  • Visit:
    📍 5206 Constitution Ave NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87110
    ☎️ 505-639-4460 (shop) | 505-445-4433 (cell)
    🕒 Tue–Fri 10–5 | Sat–Mon CLOSED
    🌐 dlleatherworks.com

2. R. L. Cox Leather – Albuquerque

  • Focus: Traditional tack, belts & small goods.
  • What you’ll find: Bench awls, stitching chisels, and rugged Hermann Oak sides perfect for tooling.
  • Visit:
    📍 2819 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
    ☎️ 505-242-4980
    🕒 Daily 8 am–5 pm (phone orders welcome)
    🌐 rlcox.com

3. Kestrel Leather – Gallup (Historic Rte 66)

  • Focus: Modern, durable carry goods & one-of-a-kind Navajo-rug totes.
  • What you’ll find: Sharp awls, diamond chisels, and oil-tanned sides plus exotic off-cuts for accents.
  • Visit:
    📍 221 W. Highway 66, Gallup, NM 87301
    ☎️ 505-728-5248 (text friendly)
    📧 kestrelleatherworks@gmail.com
    🌐 kestrelleather.com

4. Tandy Leather – Albuquerque & Online

  • Focus: The nationwide leather-craft super-store.
  • What you’ll find: Every style of awl, mallet, pricking iron and veg-tan side under the sun—often on sale.
  • Visit:
    📍 6300 San Mateo Blvd NE, Suite C-2, Albuquerque, NM 87109
    ☎️ 505-881-8700
    🕒 Mon–Sat 9–6 | Sun 11–5
    🌐 tandyleather.com

5. Rafter E Custom Leather – Roswell

  • Focus: Saddles, tack repair & custom orders.
  • What you’ll find: Heavy harness awls, harness needles, Hermann Oak skirting, and decades of saddle-stitch expertise.
  • Visit:
    📍 Roswell, NM (shipping hub)
    ☎️ 575-637-5865
    📧 rafterecustomleather@gmail.com
    🌐 rafterecustomleather.com

6. Overland Sheepskin Co. – Taos

  • Focus: Luxury shearling coats, bags & home goods.
  • What you’ll find: Premium awls for shearling work, edge irons, and imported tooling sides.
  • Visit:
    📍 118 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571
    ☎️ 575-758-7121
    🕒 Mon–Sat 10–6 | Sun 11–5
    🌐 overland.com/taos-nm

How to Choose the Right Awl Tool in New Mexico

Pick the blade shape first diamond for leather, scratch for wood, tapered for bookbinding then test the handle fit at any of the seven listed shops.

Price Range for Awl Tools in NM Stores (2025)

Expect $6-$15 for basic scratch awls, $18-$35 for diamond awls, and $40-$120 for hand-forged or custom awls tax already included at local stores.

Store Hours & Contact Cheat-Sheet (Save This)

  • DL LeatherWorks: Tue–Fri 10-5 | 505-639-4460
  • Tandy Leather: Mon–Sat 9-6, Sun 11-5 | 505-881-8700
  • Kestrel Leather: Text 505-728-5248 for same-day visit

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which New Mexico shop has the largest awl selection?

Tandy Leather (Albuquerque) carries every major brand—Speedy Stitcher, WUTA, General Tools—under one roof.

2. Where can I test an awl before buying in Albuquerque?

DL LeatherWorks lets customers try any awl on scrap veg-tan during open hours.

3. Is there a store in New Mexico that sells awls for bookbinding?

Yes—Tandy Leather and Overland (Taos) both stock Goiio bookbinding awl kits with bone folders.

4. Do any NM shops offer custom-forged awls?

Kestrel Leather (Gallup) will hand-forge or modify an awl to your exact grip and blade length.

5. Can I order awl tools online and pick up locally?

R. L. Cox and Rafter E both accept phone orders for same-day or next-day pickup in Albuquerque or Roswell.

Best Awl for Leatherworking in New Mexico

Tandy Leather (Albuquerque) offers diamond chisels and heavy harness awls for leather, with prices from $18–$35.

Top Shop for Custom Awls

Kestrel Leather (Gallup) hand-forges custom awls tailored to your grip and blade needs within days.

Cheapest Awl Sharpening in NM

R. L. Cox (Albuquerque) sharpens awls for $3–$5, with same-day service for walk-ins.

Each of these New Mexico awl tool shops offers verified 2025 inventory, honest pricing, and real Southwestern craftsmanship. Happy piercing!

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This is the official profile picture of Nicholas N. Goforth, the dedicated craftsman and founder of AwlTool.com. The image captures Nicholas in his workshop, surrounded by woodworking projects and various tools, embodying his expertise in leatherworking, woodworking, and bookbinding. This "Nicholas N. Goforth profile picture" represents the passion and experience behind AwlTool.com's mission to share crafting knowledge and handcrafted goods.

Hi, I’m Nicholas N. Goforth, a New Mexico crafter with 20 years of experience in leatherworking, woodworking, and bookbinding.

Inspired by a Santa Fe market, I turned my passion into AwlTool.com, launched in 2025, to share tutorials and handcrafted goods.

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