LinecoWooden Ball Handle Awl. Extra-Heavy Duty, Comfortability and Good Control, Thin Point for Sewing

Is there any tips for punching through thick paper without ripping?

Does this come with some sort of cover/case for the pointy end? like a sleeve of some sort?

Did your awl have a nice point to it? Does it get dull quickly? What's the max # of papers it can easily handle?

how wide is the hole this awl creates? I need to string 2 mm elastic through a project and I want to be sure this will work.