Category: book conservation

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Casing Rib

The Delrin Casing Rib

What happens when you hybridize a  bookbinder’s folding rib and a case folder? You get the Casing Rib. 

The potter’s rib was adapted for bookbinding by Christine Cox, who made her version out of Teflon. It is used by many bookbinders for repetitive covering tasks, folding, creasing, etc. A Bakelite case folder is a more traditional tool for similar tasks. The case folder is first recorded being used by the Harcourt Bindery in 1972 according to Sam Ellenport; likely earlier. 

On the left is an case folder from Harcourt. A worn case folder is pictured in Kim Jinsub’s 2016 Book Tools.

Not to Goldilocks it too much; but for me, the teflon rib is too small and narrow, and the case folder is too large. Teflon, though wonderfully slippery, wears rapidly. Harcourts’ case folder is made from a Bakelite phenolic laminated material which doesn’t slide very easily. Daniel Mellis made an experimental stainless steel rib, which I enjoyed using, and it prompted my own search for a better size and material. 

So the casing rib was born.

Made from black Delrin, the large size is easy to grasp and apply pressure directly downwards. I use it for turning-in, general smoothing, box making, and more. Delrin is non-marking like Teflon, and more than twice as abrasion resistant. 

The Casing Rib. Black Delrin, textured sides, rounded top edge, and sharp edges on the bevels. Handmade, sizes vary slightly, ~ 2.25 x 6 x .25 inches. 

“Jeff, this tool is the best. It feels so nice to work with. I’m doing a big edition and using it repetively has been nothing but joy. Doesn’t hurt the wrist. My old case folder would sometimes snap my fingers down if I wasn’t careful. 10/10.” – Purchased by Gabby Cooksey 

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Upcoming Lecture, “John J. Bradford: A Knight of the Folding Stick.” Monday November 25, 2024, 3:30 – 5:00. Boston, MA.

Frontispiece to Bradford’s 1815 “The Poetical Vagaries of a Knight of the Folding-Stick of Paste-Castle.

A Presentation by Jeff Peachey
Monday November 25th, 2024

3:30-5:00pm

North Bennet Street School

150 North Street

Boston MA

John J. Bradford: A Knight of the Folding Stick. In this illustrated lecture, book conservator and lapsed poet Jeff Peachey traces the life of John Bradford and interprets his bookbinding-centric poetry. Particular attention will be paid to the 19th century bookbinding tools he describes, and is in fact made of in the frontispiece above. Bradford was a lifelong journeyman bookbinder in early 19th century New York City. 

Not only are John Bradford’s poems a lot of fun, but his book is the earliest American description of bookbinding written by an actual bookbinder. Only twelve copies are held in institutions. Bradford was an odd character parts of the book are written in hieroglyphics. This presentation is based on his recent publication, “The Binder’s Curse: John Bradford and Early Nineteenth-Century American Bookbinding” In Suave Mechanicals: Essays in the History of Bookbinding, Volume 8. 


At the conclusion, we will read selections from  “The Binder’s Curse” aloud. Join us for geeky bookbinder fun! Non-bookbinders are welcome.

Registration is not required. Open to the public.

A reproduction 19th century folding stick, made from boxwood.

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New Tool! Deluxe Delrin Spatula

DELUXE DELRIN SPATULA

Last month I taught a toolmaking class at the University of Cincinnati, and Ashleigh Ferguson — rare book and paper conservator and Co-lab manager — made a beautiful “Griffin” spatula which I coveted. Rather than steal her tool, I developed my own version. Her tool helped me reexamine some long-held negative opinions about double ended tools.

This Deluxe Delrin Spatula is an ideal hand tool for conservators in almost any discipline. Useful for pressure sensitive tape removal, delaminating, paint and emulsion consolidation, applying adhesive under detached layers, controlled pressing, excess adhesive removal, working under magnification, and more.

The thin tip — due to the wedge shape in the thickness — is great for applying minute amounts of adhesive. The flexible wide tip (see below) can direct pressure downward, and be used with a twisting motion to help pry off unwanted layers.

SMALL TIP. THE DOTS ARE ABOUT 1MM APART
LARGE TIP, ABOUT .15 MM THICK AT THE EDGE

Delrin has a similar coefficient of friction as teflon, but is more abrasion resistant. Black delrin is harder than white delrin, likely due to the carbon, and stays sharp longer. The octagonal handle shape is comfortable in a writing or drawing hand position, and won’t roll off your work surface. Comes with a two stage sharpening kit and instructions to resharpen. The handle may feel familiar to some: it is the same diameter as a Rotring 600 mechanical pencil.

Black Delrin, octagonal handle, approximately 200mm x 8mm. Both tips are slightly flexible, with the small one about 1-2mm wide and blunt. The large tip is straight with sharp round corners, and about .15mm thick at the end.

Purchase here!

Or if you would like to make your own version, join us for a week-long toolmaking workshop at Emory University, October 7 – 11, 2024.

WRITING HAND POSITION
DRAWING HAND POSITION