Tag: bookbinding tools

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Erin Fletcher’s Five Essential Bookbinding Tools

Erin’s five essential tools. Since she is locked out of her studio, she had to draw some of them from memory!

Erin Fletcher

Hand bookbinder specializing in embroidered bindings

Herringbone Bindery

1. My oldest tool: a classic bone folder
I reach for this tool every day in the studio to assist in many aspects of my work. I’ve definitely developed an attachment to this specific bone folder and experience a mini panic attack if I can’t find it.
2. Pin Vise
I find my pin vise essential for both my bookbinding and embroidery work. As opposed to an awl, I appreciate the versatility of a pin vise. Switching out the size of the needle based on the work offers me more control. I talk up this tool every chance I get during workshops.
3. Embroidery Scissors
These small, slender scissors that cut to the point are great for snipping small stitches and getting me out of a bind when I make an error. Plus embroidery scissors come in a wide range of colors and designs, so they’re great for collecting.

4. Tracing Paper
After drafting the design for a binding, I reach for the tracing paper to use throughout the design and binding process. It’s perfect for determining the layers of a design. I also use tracing paper to place onlays and pre-punch for embroidery. And it comes in handy for tooling.

5. Olfa Snap-Off Blade Cutter
I think it’s important to use tools that feel comfortable in your hand. This particular style of Olfa knife is my absolute favorite. It’s slim and wide, but not too slim or too wide. I bought several replacements during a trip to Tokyo!

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Brien Beidler’s Five Essential Bookbinding Tools

Brien’s sparkle heart finishing tool.

Brien Beidler

1. Needle
2. Bone Folder
3. Paring Knife
4. Brush
5. Sparkle Heart Finishing Tool
I selected these tools because I use them regularly during different parts of the process with every book I make. Of course, the needle I can use for marking up, sewing, and fraying out cords. The bone folder not only serves it’s purpose of general material manipulation, but I’d also use it for ‘tooling’ lines on the cover. In addition to paring leather, the knife can be used as an all purpose knife for cutting material as well as a plough blade for edge trimming. I can’t really think of a decent substitute for a good brush as far as applying adhesive goes. And I love tooling, so I had to include a finishing tool. I picked the sparkle heart because a binding without heart in/on it is no book at all!

 

Brien’s five tools.
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James Reid-Cunningham’s Five Essential Book Conservation Tools

Jim’s five bookbinding tools. “I wonder if my choices are the most essential, or just the ones I enjoy using the most.”

James Reid-Cunningham

Bookbinder and conservator in private practice

Caselli spatula: I’ve had this one since 1984 and I use it virtually
every day.

Splinter forceps: a cross between a tweezers and a needle nose pliers
that allows you to securely hold onto something very small.

Pin vise: for holding needles, drill bits, small files, etc. I have
30-40 pin vises of different shapes and sizes. This design is useful
because the wooden handle rotates in your hand so you can use it for
drilling very small holes.

Dividers: A four-inch divider bought at a flea market for $1, it was
made by the L. S. S. Co. in Athol, Mass. The design was patented in
1885.

Teflon spatula: I carved this from a lab tool called a “policeman,” used
for cleaning tubing. This shape of spatula has a thousand uses for
lifting and splitting.