Category: book repair

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An Easy Way to Strain Wheat Starch Paste

Wheat starch paste is widely used as an adhesive and size in bookbinding and conservation because it is long lasting, strong, reversible and non-yellowing.  After making wheat starch paste, it is generally strained, thinned, aged, or otherwise worked to give it the appropriate working qualities for the task at hand. A horsehair (or other non-metalic, ie. silk screen fabric) strainer is commonly used, however the technique below is quick, easy, fun and impressive. It results in a paste suitable for many bookbinding and book conservation purposes.

TWIST AND SQUEEZE: AN EASY WAY TO STRAIN WHEAT STARCH PASTE

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OBSERVATIONS:

-Use an undyed, unbleached, natural fiber square of cloth that does not shed fibers.

-The cloth can be prewetted, to various degrees, to alter the final consistency of the paste.

-Rinse and clean the cloth immediately after use.

-Note the use of the thumb during the final squeeze.

–Caution: Too vigorous a twisting and squeezing motion can cause the paste to fly out, in equal proportions, into your eye and onto the floor.

-I imagine different weave tightness or thread counts could change affect the consistency of the paste.

-The main drawback of this technique is that it is best suited for small quantities of paste.

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Thanks to Clare Manias, Rare Book Conservator of the Museum of Biblical Art for sharing this tip.

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How to Care for Books, 1891

 The printers’ handbook of trade recipes…, London: The Chiswick Press, 1891.(pp. 270-271)

Since it is preservation week, I thought I would do my part by passing along some preservation information from 1891.  It might be difficult for me to give up the delightful habit of toasting a book over the fire, and sitting on it, but I will try. At least for this week.

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New Lifting Knives

These are the newly designed set of lifting knives, available for sale in the tool catalog section on the left.  Both of the knives are made from 01 steel, hardened to about Rc 59.  This hardness results in a durable edge for the prying and cutting.  The knives are polished, with no handle, so they can be used under water for backing removal.  They are based on a Roger Powell design, are perfect lifting covering material, splitting boards, and mechanical backing removal. They can used by right and left handers.  These knives will pay for themselves the first time you successfully lift something without having to do additional repairs. Both are 6″ long, and 1/16″ thick, half the thickness of the previous model.  The large knife is 1″wide, and perfect for lifting covering materials, splitting boards and mechanical backing removal.  If you are a paper conservator, and normally remove backing material with a scalpel, you will find this knife much more efficient, and safer for the user and the artifact.   The small 1/2″ knife is perfect for smaller books, turnins, lifting spines between raised bands, etc….  The rounded, beveled corners allow you to twist the knife when cutting through slips, for example. These knives are the perfect union of quality, simplicity and functionality.   The set includes two knives and a folding leather case, held together with magnets and protects the blades when not in use.    $225.00