Awl--

They indeed exist--in both coarse and fine thread. Very handy thing to have
around. Their main use, fwiu, is so that the screw tip does not poke thru
3/4" wood, etc., as happens w/ 1" screws.

Very hard item to find, esp. the fine thread, but I am, after having
searched high and low for nigh-on 10 years, picking up a few pounds from a
very good hardware store in Mt Vernon, NY, which reluctantly ordered them
for me, as now, the owner says, he will be "stuck" w/ the balance.
He already carries the 3/4" course.

fwiw.
--
Mr. P.V.'d
formerly Droll Troll