The kiri, or handmade Japanese awl, is a small but essential hand-forged tool used across crafts such as basketry, leatherwork, and bookbinding. Made with a steel blade and wooden handle, it comes in round, flat, and diamond forms for different tasks—from piercing bamboo strips to preparing stitching holes in leather or paper. Historically indispensable before drills, kiri remain prized today for their precision, durability, and the artisanal forging traditions that make each one unique.