I have no experience with these, but if you look at it and imagine it in use, it makes sense. I have done some leather
work in the past where I would have loved to have something like this for hole punching without destroying my hand and
palm. It would allow one to use a large punch/needle and apply greater force than an awl with a
handle. If you ever used an awl with a
handle you can
still hurt your hand with it. This device would distribute the force much better. Certainly items like this were used into modern times, as well. A quick
search of
palm thimbles reveals they are
still used and sold and used for pushing large needles through thick leather/fabrics. There is
Japanese technique where the needles cannot have handles, so must be pushed through using a device so it doesn't put a hole through your hand. Interesting.
Virgil
