Picked up a tip at the Library of Congress bindery tour last month

Went on a behind the scenes tour of the bindery at the Library of Congress in DC. One of the old timers there showed me how they use a paring knife to thin leather edges in a smooth curve instead of a straight line. Tried it on my last restoration project and the corners laid down way flatter with no bumps. Has anyone else gotten a random pro tip from an unexpected place like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_hart385h agoTop Commenter

Hang on a second, is this really that big of a deal? Like yeah, a smooth curve makes sense for leather but a straight pare probably works fine for 99% of people who aren't doing museum quality restorations. I feel like the Library of Congress guys are on a whole other level and a random hobbyist doesn't need to sweat the small stuff. But hey, if it makes you feel good about your corners, go for it I guess.

the_sage3h ago

That "sweat the small stuff" line reminds me of a guy I knew who only shaved one side of his face. Hey @ryan_hart38, different strokes, right?

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