Category: craft

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John J. Bradford: A Knight of the Folding-Stick. Free Presentation at Emory University, Friday, October 11, 3pm

Detail of the Frontispiece from John J. Bradford’s The Poetical Vagaries of the Knight of the Folding Stick of Paste-Castle and The History of the Garrett, 1815. Photo courtesy The Rosenbach Museum & Library.

Please join us at Emory University on Friday, October 11th, 3:00-4:30pm, for an informative and entertaining presentation in the Jones Room of the Robert W. Woodruff Library. This presentation is in-person, and registration is free. Light refreshments will be served.

In this illustrated lecture, conservator and lapsed poet Jeff Peachey traces the life of John Bradford and interprets his bookbinding-centric poetry. Bradford was a lifelong journeyman bookbinder in early 19th century New York City, remarkable for his idiosyncratic, self-published book of poetry, “The Poetical Vagaries of the Knight of the Folding Stick of Paste-Castle and The History of the Garrett” (1815).

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 known of this book, and they are all heavily consulted. Bradford’s bookbinding infuses his mythopoetic cosmology in this seriously weird book; parts are even written in hieroglyphics.

“The Binder’s Curse” is John Bradford’s most well-known poem, and we will read it together at the end of the presentation. This talk is based on Peachey’s recent article, “The Binder’s Curse: John Bradford and Early Nineteenth-Century American Bookbinding” In Suave Mechanicals: Essays in the History of Bookbinding, Volume 8. (Ann Arbor: The Legacy Press, 2023): 386-457

Register here

This event will not be live-streamed or recorded.

Please contact Kim Norman or Ephranette Brown with any questions.

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Conservation Hand Tools: Making, Modifying, and Maintaining. Upcoming Toolmaking Workshop. Emory University, October 7-11, 2024

Register here

For dust free Delrin finishing, we will use a cabinet scraper and wet sand.

Conservation Hand Tools: Making, Modifying, and Maintaining

Workshop Description 

Most interventive conservation treatments are mediated through hand tools. Many of these tools had their origins in particular craft traditions; but conservators often modify them for particular uses. Tools become embodied in use, extensions of a conservator’s hand, sense of touch, and intention. Personal hand tools often become prized arrows in a conservator’s quiver. 

This five day workshop emphasizes simple and safe methods of working hardened tool steel, stainless steel, Delrin, wood, and bamboo. Progressively more difficult techniques will be introduced during the week using primarily hand tools. This workshop will be tool-centric; for example, hand sawing — with the appropriate blade and technique — will be used for all the materials introduced. Choosing materials appropriate to the desired task will be emphasized. Possibilities include tools for cutting, folding, prying, delaminating, lifting, scraping, and burnishing.

Participants will complete a number of tools of their own design during this workshop. Examples of common existing tools — such as delaminating or lifting tools — will be provided as prompts. One goal is to free participants from the plethora of misinformation and mystique that surrounds knife sharpening, and learn fundamental freehand techniques applicable to any edge tool. Another is to gain competence in mechanical problem solving and practical hand tool use. Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools for discussion, possible modification, and repair.

Making tools is engaging, fun, and useful. It is also highly addictive. Consider yourself warned.

Workshop topics

• Basic tool use for stock reduction: sawing, filing, abrading, scraping, drilling, tapping

• Understanding what makes something sharp, efficient hand sharpening

• Tool design and mechanical thinking in general

• Making a high carbon, M2 tool steel knife by stock reduction

• Differences and similarities in shaping Delrin, Wood, Bamboo, and steel

• Tool handles, sheaths, and handle ergonomics

• Connoisseurship of vintage tools and tool maintenance

• Safe use of power tools

Please join us for an intensive toolmaking week at Emory University October 7-11, 2024!

Register here

Some new Delrin spatula shapes I’ve been experimenting with.
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FREE UPCOMING EVENT! Live Q&A during a screening of “The Craft of Leather Paring”, Saturday Jan. 13, 12:00, noon, EST.

On Saturday at noon, I will answer questions live during the premier.

In November 2022, I performed virtually for The American Bookbinders Museum, demonstrating the hand paring of leather. I discuss the reasons for paring, show some historic paring examples, then demonstrate in detail the techniques and thought processes that paring leather involves. And of course I talk about the tools, using an M2 hybrid knife to demonstrate.

In a collaboration between myself, The American Bookbinders Museum, and Darryn & Carrie of DAS Bookbinding, the recording of this event has been edited to provide a concise overview of the subject that Arthur W. Johnson describes as “one of the most admired skills in bookbinding”. Video link, or sign up for a notification to watch. 

During the presentation, I preform a bookbinders’ party trick of seeing how many sides of leather I can edge pare in a single strip. Any guesses? I hope to chat with some of you Saturday. Bring lots of questions!

Stropping is an easy way to keep your knife super sharp. Preparation and use are demonstrated.

Thank you Darryn for the edits!