The Japanese Socket Awl is one of my favorites!  It is great for making starter holes for drilling and lines for accurate measurement and work.   Here is how I use it.

First I find out where I want a mark.  In this case I want a line lined up to match another board so I can drill matching holes.

So I lined up the board, and pushed the awl in right where the center of the original board’s hole is.

Then I lay the board down flat, the awl stays in place!

Then I bring my square right up to the awl.  Normally I would have a hand on the awl, so I don’t accidentally knock it out with the square but I was using the camera with my spare hand.

Now the awl is almost competely hidden by my hand as I draw it back and make a nice scratch for lining up holes for drilling.

I also pushed holes at two inches and six inches, using this awl so I could then easily start my drill with great accuracy.

This gives me fast and fairly precise holes.  If I wanted better precision, then I would use a finer rule than the one on the bright orange combination square.

There, I am all done and quickly.

Bob