Adam Savage Makes an Old Book From Scratch

Adam recently picked up a stack of weathered sheets of paper, and demonstrates how to turn these deckled edge sheets into a convincing 288-page antique leather-bound book! From the foldering and sewing of the signatures to the weathering of the cover, here's an exercise in bookbinding to make a great faux old book!
Black vintage handmade paper: amzn.to/3tn54FX
Adam's Indiana Jones Grail Diary replica: • Adam Savage's Indiana ...
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Joey Fameli
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#adamsavage #onedaybuilds #props

[@tested]

Black vintage handmade paper: amzn.to/3tn54FX Adam's Indiana Jones Grail Diary replica: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdoO1... Adam Savage Learns How Old Books Were Made! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5LYiXWdmq6gfMU

[@mattblank4402]

have you thought about doing some leather work to make a book cover? idk what you call it the pressing and or carving of material to create art on leather.

[@_owen.c]

@DASBookbinding is an amazing and deep resource for book binding!

[@_owen.c]

youtube.com/@DASBookbinding?si=Xtzd2N9livEbHdba

[@tiacho2893]

@@mattblank4402 IIRC, it's generally called "tooling" which includes pressing into the leather (like a stamp) or removing material (like carving) like you mentioned. Interesting note, the ridges on an old book's spine are the heavier cords that bind the signatures together. They're not just decorative.

[@GearsAndBricks]

Idea: a wholly braille diary.

[@rockyetsx70]

There's a KZbin maker channel from Norway called Nerdforge, and Martina regularly makes stunning custom bound books with sword and sorcery styling, elaborate leather covering, using all the classic book binding techniques and tools. When you did the tour of the book binding museum, so many of the tools and techniques were the same as she uses.

[@eronGreco]

MARTINA 💕

[@gownerjones1450]

She is that badass who built herself a replacement finger because she cut it off with a saw or something right? I love her videos.

[@Kenkire]

I love Nerdforge.

[@Craftlngo]

@@gownerjones1450 exactly. If you go back in their KZbin timeline (about six years ago) you can see her with all ten fingers. Then with a bandage 😬, then hiding her left hand and now self-confident and open about it. She is totally a badass!

[@shaynecoventry8894]

I was just about to tell him that too. Shagera bagerja or how ever she says it! I love them

[@CorwynGC]

Adam: "Every tool is a hammer" Also Adam: stands in a shop surrounded by tools; hits things with his fist.

[@iout]

The hands are the greatest tool. So therefore they must also be the greatest hammer.

[@jmalmsten]

To be fair. They were the closest tools at hand :P

[@aserta]

For that specific part, your fist is the best. It's not too hard to be denting the solid part of the cover, it's not too soft to do nothing. You're hitting the glue with your own directed force, just enough to make sure the two materials bind through the glue, not too much to drive it out completely. You could roll it, but you really need to know what you're doing otherwise you risk making a kink in the glue-up. So fist, for that, perfect.

[@Smucklz]

His fist is a hammer

[@fixpedalboards1969]

Most efficient non marring spark free dead blow hammer

[@graemejackson5979]

I was watching a Myth busters episode earlier today where Jamie mentioned that Adam had "for whatever reason, a sword forge." which back then struck me as odd, but as time has told me was totally in keeping with the mentor to millions Adam had become. What an incredible gift it is to have your boundless curiosity matched with an intellectual willing to disseminate and teach, all whilst being humble, funny and engaging. I doubt I'll ever bind a book, but thanks for showing the process, both practical and thought. You're an amazing teacher Adam.

[@gownerjones1450]

I can't think of anyone who would be a greater teacher in the arts and crafts associated with making things than Adam. I would kill to just exist in his workshop and watch him do what he does. So, we're fortunate this channel exists. I don't have to kill anyone.

[@tiacho2893]

The show was "This is the thing. This is how we do the thing. This is us doing the thing." Those "process" portions of Mythbusters were (in my opinion) the key to the show as well as the inclusion of "failures". Hey, remember their mantra "Failure is always an option." And I'm am sure if you ever need some specialised piece of kit, Jamie would have it in the M5 "wall o' random stuff" or Adam's Cave. Sword forge? Adam's got one or Jamie has the stuff to jury rig one.

[@iainmcculloch5807]

I find that the DAS Bookbinding channel explains all the techniques really well, and has very clear demonstrations. He also goes through all the tools and materials, which is something a lot of places just skip past.

[@fondofmoose]

I never miss a chance to recommend that channel... so much there for beginners and experienced bookbinders

[@harbl99]

Beat me to the DAS recommendation. I've also found the Four Keys Bookbinding channel to be accessible and comfy.

[@edwardgurney1694]

We stan Darryn in this house.

[@planetspectra]

Seconded to both. Great resources.

[@jaycraft21]

LOL! I was just going to recommend @DASBookbinding - Darryn explains things in such detail, I expect he'd be a great tutor (If he isn't already) and I find following his videos enjoyable, along with this he is great at responding to emails and comments if you get stuck or need advise, a true gent!

[@iout]

I've always been somewhat obsessed with bookbinding. Even as a kid, I decided just stapling the edges of a bunch of separate sheets of paper didn't look that good, so instead I would sew down the center of them using the most basic fabric sewing stitch. Didn't know about signatures at the time though, so every one of these books was just one massive signature. Which in hindsight is pretty funny. One day in school my teacher asked us to make an educational report based on one of the units we learned in the style of an "X for Dummies" book. And I decided, "screw it, Imma take this opportunity to learn to bind an actual book." The actual report only needed to be about 4 pages long (and indeed, mine was only 4 pages long), but the book itself was about 240 pages long with a ton of filler pages littered throughout. Some of which were misprints of the report itself, because turns out arranging pages into signatures is really easy to screw up when you don't have a program to do it for you and have to do it manually. I used scraps from around the house to make it, including some left over fabrics from a costume I made some years back and some vinyl leather as the cover. When I was done, I had the stupidest grin on my face and couldn't stop cackling to myself for like 10 minutes. One of my favorite bits was doing the headbanding, because it's one of those things you never notice on books, but after learning about them, I see them everywhere and it makes me really feel like I've unlocked some view of the world I hadn't been privy to before. Unfortunately, my teacher only went through the reports after class, so I never got to see her reaction to a stack of papers and then randomly *a fully bound book, smack dab in the middle of it,* but it makes me laugh whenever I try to imagine it. The best part was when I got the book back and read through it, she had made notes not just on the report, but also on all of the filler pages and all the stupid jokes and secrets I included in them. That's when you know the effort was worth it. By far one of my favorite projects I've ever had to do for school.

[@justinyon2324]

What was the grade you received?

[@iout]

@@justinyon2324 Unfortunately I do not remember. I only remember the feeling of the project, which I would argue was more important anyway.

[@LucasCarter2]

Man I just gotta say it's so cool that Adam is still producing content and unleashing his scientific curiosity. When I heard Mythbusters was ending I felt a deep sense of loss I couldn't identify until much later as being the sadness for future people not having the experience of curiosity led fun science like I had growing up. I know probably no-one will ever read this comment, but I still want to sincerly say thank you to Adam and his team for keeping the joy and enthusiasm for various creative outlets alive.

[@calomancer]

I bound a lot of books while in art school. The best advice I got for covers was this; Go to a Custom Framer and ask if they have scraps from the mats they use, specifically those with fabric on them. You can PEEL the fabric off, it would basically then be paper backed fabric which can then be use for book covers. Very often, if they aren't already selling the scraps, you then have free book covers. The non-fabric covered mat scraps can also be used for the cover board.

[@matty_isthemotto]

Art school 😂😂😂

[@christopherthompson5457]

In my bookbinding courses in college they taught us to make that paper backed fabric with wheat paste

[@minder01]

2:45 I was at the edge of my seat for the whole solid 30 seconds of Adam just slamming and flailing his arms near that sudden exacto knife.

[@susanj8158]

LOL!

[@crazykittenvideos855]

I wrote a kids/young adult book about time travel and wanted to print it like a book. It was fun learning about signatures and that ‘Word’ can print them. I ended up running each signature through a sewing machine, hand stitching the signatures together through the machine stitches here and there. I clamped it tight whilst it did that and then using wood glue adhered a small piece cut from an old bed sheet. It came out so well that my wife refused to write on it with her comments, which was the whole point of printing it out in the first place! I still have an unedited potential bestseller if anyone wants to buy the movie rights😂. Now half way through the sequel. Loved the video Mr Savage!

[@doogong]

I think this is the first one of these videos that made me think "I could do that!" I feel inspired to make a book for myself!

[@kaboom-zf2bl]

before attaching the pages to the cover ... round over the spine of the pages ... a curve that would make the arc of a circle whos radius is the width of the book from the spine to the edge of page ... this allows the spine to NOT be broken easy and lets the center pages open as well as the end pages ... by NOT rounding over his book Adams spine will break after limited use and break the stitching quickly ... also his middle pages will rip out easier ... and the spine cloth goes on the pages and NOT on the book cover ... it is the support for all the folios

[@robertlocock5636]

@@kaboom-zf2bl To be fair I think Adam added linen to the pages then another strip to the cover.

[@jkhoover]

Good luck. I definitely couldn't do it.

[@kaboom-zf2bl]

@@jkhoover tbh ... it is easy to bind a book ... the hard part is making it look precious ... mine I make scrap books so they can look crappy ... practice improves the work

[@jkhoover]

@@kaboom-zf2bl It may be for you, but I'm just not good with my hands. I had anxiety when he was gluing the two boards together, because I know I'd mess that up.

[@MrGreenAKAguci00]

I believe what Adam was saying is that bookbinding has a low threshold for entry but the threshold for mastery is a different thing altogether. The journey to mastery is very rewarding though and at all the points one may find sufficient enough for one's self the end result can be satisfactory.

[@whogavehimafork]

Well said

[@PPedroFernandes]

I absolutely adore Adam's percussive maintenance of... Basically everything

[@maximusgriffiths4507]

Great video Adam. Four Keys Book Art is my favorite bookbinding KZbin channel. He's doing a series on getting started in bookbinding with basic tools.

[@steventagg]

Dennis is great. His D&D series is brilliant!

[@venom0237]

First, I love when Adam does design related things. It makes me feel like all that Art School I went to actually taught me SOMETHING, lmao. (Cries in student debt) Second, I REAAALLLY appreciate how much action your new (ish) workbench has seen. I remember when he put it together and my main thought was-I can't wait to see that thing get properly worn in.

[@cpbethlehem6548]

Great work. You have inspired me to create a book. The museum I work at just received a donation of printing plates from the 1800's of a German children's book. I have not found a printed copy, so over the next few weeks,(years) I will be trying to print this and now going to make a book like you did.

[@m.-.-.]

You might consider what Mr. Savage said at 1:04 and think about making more than one at once even.

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

I've been bookbinding in some form since the age of 11 or twelve. Way before I knew what I was doing. And I started legitimately learning the art form maybe ten to fifteen years ago. It's definitely a skill that is easily accessible to start off with, and the learning curve is basically growing from, "that'll do" to, "yeah, that looks like something a professional made." LOL Since everyone in the comments is sharing their favorite bookbinding tutors, I have to shout out Sea Lemon. She pretty mush taught me everything I know, and she explains it in a way that is easy to comprehend, for people who are just getting started out.

[@killer_rabbit42]

I love doing bookbinding projects for personal use or prop making. I play D&D & converted a 2E supplement for Aurora's Emporium into 5E rules. I went all out with it, including color swatches in the back for when characters order custom clothing. One of my players really liked how it looked & asked me to make one for her. To this day, it's probably my favorite bookbinding project.

[@fiach]

I've been watching book binding videos the last couple days for exactly this, a dnd character journal. What good timing to have Adam's video pop up

[@demetreasandrews]

I started bookbinding in 2021, and that's one of the things I loved about it. It's accessible and flexible, and even your first crappy attempt gives you some good results. I've had a lot of fun trying new things and ways to stitch the pages together, different materials to use for covers, and ways to decorate the covers.

[@ConnieFaye]

If you get a bone folder it makes nice sharp creases. After years of not being able to find the kind of paper I like to draw on in a sketchbook, and the size of sketchbook I like, I started making my own sketchbooks.

[@jazzc5632]

As someone who is very much a beginner bookbinder (only made one book so far), i found previously mentioned channels like Nerdforge and Nik the Booksmith very helpful but also Sea Lemon. I found her stiching tutorials in particular very informative and easy to follow, and it's not too tool heavy.

[@Nanakinsz]

Mister Adam, this was GREAT fun to watch! Thanks for the inspiration on a HUGE old book! The best book binding videos I have found have been by DAS Bookbinding here on KZbin. He knows his stuff, and is an excellent teacher! Nik the Booksmith also has great tips and techniques on her channel. Some of her creations may be a bit less classic. But solid techniques are solid techniques. One cannnot go wrong with either.

[@carolinelabbott2451]

I love getting inspired by Niks creativity, also enjoy listening to her talk.

[@HomunculusStreams]

I find it lovely, your admiration with the inventiveness you bring to bookmaking. As a book artist, the looks I get when I tell people my passion is in bookmaking and they’re like “that’s still a thing??”. Making me appreciate my bookmaking community in Minneapolis.

[@ChizFri]

This was both a perfect inspiration and launch point for further research. I’m a part of my local theater troop and we are performing _The Book of Will_ to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of the First Folio. I play the lead compositor of the bookshop that is building the folio, and needed to know how to sew the book together for the final montage. It is wild how things line up.

[@Natalie-hg3gh]

I'm so happy you spoke about the accessibility of book binding because it seems simultaneously easy and difficult depending on videos watched, but it's ever in the back of my mind as a skill I'd love to acquire

[@spudsmith]

This is one of my favourite things you've ever made. LOVE it!

[@swordsmanfabian18]

Watching Adam make things is just soothing, I love how jazz'd he gets about trying something new, and just being all excited about the end product. It also gives me some genuine hope knowing that there's other people like Adam out here on KZbin showing folks how to make stuff by hand. A lot of people today don't understand how precious knowledge like this is.

[@darrellwaggerby]

Thank you Adam, I had forgotten how much I enjoyed covering and repairing books in the library in grade school, and then in my twenties as a temp in a bindry, putting all different types of book binding together, I really enjoy this thanks

[@donevans1884]

What a brilliant video Adam , i was so so happy to see how exited you were , the book looks gorgeous , so cleaver , loved it just loved it , thank you for sharing .

[@danielclement2832]

I've made a few books like this. Never occurred to me to weather them as Adam does. Make me chuckle when he took it to the belt sander - awesome!

[@MrContilius]

LOVE this video, Adam. Thank you for making it. I just started playing with book binding about 2 months ago. I even started a new one, last night. It's going to be the first one that I attempt covering with leather. It's also going to be my first making/crafting journal, in which I'm going to start drafting my projects. Thank you for being an inspiration to start creating more of the things in my world!!

[@blakxhart]

I've been book binding for a year and it's the best thing I've ever done. A super accessible hobby to learn!

[@andrewmcteigue8736]

I have been learning bookbinding for the past year and I have fallen in love with it. So many books to rebind and make from scratch. 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@McCrocodile6]

Adam I have been watching you since I was just a kid. You and every team you've ever worked with have really inspired me to create things, sometimes by the book and at other times just with a little grit and reflection on my own abilities. I have gotta say, you're love for science and pop culture inspired crafts have always kept me on my toes but I never thought anyone could make me want to watch a whole video about making a book. Thank you for being you, and showing me that I can create without always knowing exactly how.

[@fe3o2y]

There is also "Nik the Booksmith". She makes it seem so easy. She made something called a lapbook that was so cool. Id love to see Adam try his hand at one of them! And, since you can only show the same things so many times, she's added some murder mysteries to some of her vids. You see her make a book as she tells you about a missing 9 yr old girl. It's like you're at the table with her having a conversation. One sided, but, hey, still. She explains things so well too. Check her out, Adam!

[@wadewilsondp07c31]

It never ceases to amaze me how skilled Adam is at making something he just created look like it’s existed for generations.

[@starfirebird3099]

I got into bookbinding via the Renegade Bindery fanfic binding community. They have a really excellent guide to both typesetting and creating a basic hardcover book, as well as a Discord community where people are always willing to answer questions. I also enjoy the DAS Bookbinding channel for videos on specific techniques.

[@markedis5902]

@FourKeysBookArts, made a medieval book from scratch! Loads of really good info on his channel

[@zoes17]

I tried to mention them earlier(15-20 minutes after posted) and must've got caught by some spam/auto-mod filter. That being said I second this recommendation Adam.

[@BlackOakBindery]

I've been binding for a few years and I picked up some new ideas from this video! Easy to learn, difficult to master. That is absolutely bookbinding. There are so many aspects to the craft that you can work to master (or not! That's totally valid too.) that all lead up to creating a beautiful book. Thank you for encouraging people to give binding a try. It's a craft that needs more people playing and experimenting with it. If anyone is looking to make a book similar to this, look up case binding. That's pretty much the structure Adam used here.

[@jabbertwardy]

I can't believe I'm only seeing this video now. The video about Adam's Grail Diary prop is what got me watching this channel. Once again I'm inspired to give it a try!

[@scoutsatan6206]

I and a couple of friends got ahold of a well used D and D 2nd Ed players handbook it was falling apart so we decided to re bind it ourselves we punched holes using heavy leather needles then used artificial sinew to tie it all together then covered the original cover with leather. Ten of us used that book for years and lovingly cared for it. When I left I passed it on to our DM so it could continue it's life.

[@UnoriginalElephant]

Bookbinding is a lot of fun and the barrier to entry is very low. I taught myself to bind my first book when I was 14 by peeking inside the spines of some sewed books in my parents' house to examine the stitching, then sewing together signatures of printer paper. In my early 20s I would sometimes take the covers off old books and and put in blank pages I'd bound to use as notebooks or to give to friends. I've been feeling the itch lately to get back into it, I just haven't carved out the time.

[@TheModelator]

My great grandfather was a book binder for most of his life, he worked for a scottish company called Edmond & Spark he used to say that the company was Scotlands first publisher, but I've never been able to corroborate that. Our family still has his leatherworking tools. The intricate embossing on the leather was done by hand using around 100 differently shaped punches and dyes. Some of the books took up to a week to make, back in the 1800s leather bound books were so expensive only the richest could afford them. They were made of Vellum, this leather shrunk with time giving a long lasting tight finish, the pages were bound together with strips of leather/Vellum. Bookmaking was an art form in it's own rights, sadly now a days only a few make books the traditional way. Thank you for letting your viewers see the basics of book making. BTW when you have your signatures built up into the sized book you need, place them between 2 wooden boards and place them in a press and leave them for at least 4 hours, the paper will sit tighter together and take less space.

[@ZaksGrimoires]

I started my book binding journey just a few months ago and I just love to see one of my favourite creators who I’ve watched most of my life also doing something I love

[@Dargonhuman]

I've been working towards making a replica of a book from a video game and this video came up at the exact perfect time! Definitely going to save this to my Watch Later for reference when I get to the point that I can start printing out pages and assembling them.

[@GrugTheJust]

This is gonna help me finish my book project, I've had to re-do the spin of the cover several times. Ugh.

[@prillewitz]

Great to see this Adam, my family comes from the occupation of booksellers and bookmanufacturers but I have never seen how handbinded books are made, thank you very much.

[@nzlemming]

Beautiful! I love that you didn't trim the edges - such a nice feel. This was fun to watch. Thanks.

[@jeremymartinez827]

Very much enjoyed the video. I own a commercial print shop, and we do saddle binding, coil, and perfect binding in house. I've seen some smyth sewn book equipment, including the videos you did. As a printer, I always enjoy the trip to see how things used to be done. I've actually had customers ask me to make smyth sewn books, but it's not practical to do that in a commercial environment. Thanks for sharing. I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of your book. It came out amazing.

[@InformationIsTheEdge]

Very diplomatic, your handling of the idea that getting started in book binding can have immediate rewards and satisfying results at entry level! You acknowledged that the craft is as much art as science, you pay respect to the experts and masters of the craft while encouraging everyone to give it a try. Very well handled.

[@ScreamWaveVideo]

Ah I’ve been binding books from scratch a few years now so it’s very cool to see you make one and watch how your style differs

[@annwagner5779]

Book binding is actually something I have done (as opposed to most of what Adam does, which I could never manage). I always wanted to know if Adam had that skill. I was delighted to learn about the Grail Diary - it is so great to see Adam in the act of binding!

[@violentfrog_]

Oh just for anyone starting out, four keys had great advice for folding paper in quarters (rather than half). Once folded in half, slit the signature at the crease about 2/3 the way through and it will help avoid wrinkles and creases around the second fold. Much more cost effective to practice on smaller books to use less board.

[@kultea]

That was an amazing show ! Really enjoyed the finished product !

[@jimmipadge]

I always find the way he slams and tosses stuff around to be very vicariously cathartic.

[@i_am_not_a_pro_but_lets_try]

I've been wanting to make something similar for a while now - someday I will get round to it.

[@christopherpike8269]

Add some of that "Old Book Smell" that the one maker uses for those Da Vinci Books. This has inspired me to try book binding. Love this kind of content!

[@HunterJE]

The talk about getting over the intimidation and just doing a thing is so big, in the last few years have made a point of taking a "just give it a go" mentality towards things and it's really opened up whole worlds to me...

[@patrickcollier7090]

For anyone who is interested in making their own books Nerdforge has some great videos on the process she goes through.

[@josephdestaubin7426]

As a double major in philosophy and history, I had to read and annotate a lot of things that have never been published and quite a few works that, while still being published, were not bound in such a way to facilitate annotation. So to get around this commandrum, I learned how to rapidly print and bind books that I would read, annotate, and never pick up again. Somewhat unsurprisingly, from my large book collection, these are my absolute favorites. Shockingly, I ran out of money and time before I could graduate. I'm sure you can imagine why.

[@joshhoman]

That does look like a genuine old book! I have seen many old books from the early 1900s and even one from 1898, and that one that you made would definitely be at home with them!

[@nathanlonghair]

“Confidence to trust myself” Wow. I’d like ANY amount of that ever, please.

[@ac4054]

You listened and finally uploading in 4k! THANK YOU!

[@joshuabrigden4820]

I didn't know i wanted to make my own book, i want to make one! I was like a kid glued to the tv/ipad with this one, thanks Adam 👌

[@ribeets]

Most beautiful book I’ve ever seen! 📕

[@marleemumu]

This brought back memories of me binding mini books in high school with poetry. Back in the 20thC

[@user-ov8ul4qm7l]

Adam I grew up watching you on Myth Busters as many of us have. I think you do amazing work. You work in the same way I try and teach my son how to draw. He will always Ooo and Awe over something I have been sketching for an hour or so. Little does he know that you can work anything into something amazing. Those finishing frantic free hand steps at the end is where the real magic is. I once wanted to be a fine artist but I found it took the fun out of it for me. My work looked like everyone's and I kinda liked the messiness. You sir, messy sketch when you build, layer by layer you create something amazing. Do you feel energized as a project comes to an end, with a crash after?

[@nicolasc7063]

Amazing job as always Adam. I now know how to bind and age the cover of my Grail Diary replica when I do it, thanks...

[@dbzlinkinpark99]

4:31 I love that, he wants to innovate so deep down inside his soul, he can’t pass up a chance to help clarify something he feels should be proper archived knowledge for everyone to be able to access and understand, that’s very admirable 💜

[@litlclutch]

I tried book binding and found I loved it.

[@214rwoz]

Thanks for all your time and effort. Now I have more questions than answers !

[@blanebellerud5811]

You should do a Japanese stab binding as well, great for gathering single sheets into a book

[@ff-qf1th]

I was just recently thinking about book binding!! what a timely video :D

[@peterwhitehouse]

I often find it useful to distinguish between "complex" and "hard", because they are not the same. Complex means a lot of involved steps (where each step may not be difficult at all, there is an integral sequence of them). Hard means challenging (either intellectually, physically or psychologically) - some may not be able to master hard things (or it may take time to develop those skills). My context is I was a Computer Science Teacher and now fold super-complex Origami, but I have found the distinction useful for many other disciplines.

[@kriscook2423]

If a show or a movie has a book in it, I dream of creating that prop. One day I will have a Grail Diary, Book of Shadows, President's Book of Secrets, Hunter's Journal, etc. My dream library of fan books. I personally love watching Nerdforge and SeaLemon make books. SeaLemon is so calm and careful in her explanations. They're my go to for diy journals and prop books. My favorite diy book press is made by Ingenius Designs on YT using wood, screws and eye bolts. If you're going to cover a book in leather this is a great diy tool.

[@galivanting]

the library has books about book binding that will have pictures and amazing information, i know cause ive checked them out from the sf public library system! the internet is sometimes not the best place for information about certain hobbies, especially the older traditions

[@katgillang]

It’s an art that is easy to do a rudimentary form that you can be proud of while simultaneously gaining a strong appreciation for the work of skilled artist work… win win for art.

[@MrJackBroady]

After the prolonged intro saying how accessable bookbonding can be, and that most references are difficult to follow - I really enjoyed the bit where you timelapsed over the actual binding so we don't know how it was done...

[@mesodatasystems]

I love your workshop. I'm so envious.

[@lorenzozamora9729]

Thank you Adam savage for this wonderful book binding video it was one of the first video I even seen about this and got me really interested in it and I am going to start this journey and actually it’s within everyone grasp if you did just a little research on it and thank you again for yet again very interesting topic.

[@KagomeMorino]

I want to sketch in it! 😂 I picked up book binding as a hobby so I could make my own sketchbooks. So much fun!

[@kirbyhans5261]

Love to watch you doing things Adam, keep it up!😊

[@eb4305]

I originally learned to bind because I wanted higher quality paper in my sketchbooks. Didn’t know how much of a rabbit hole it would be, lots of specialized techniques and tools for the best results. The most valuable tool was a “press” that I made from two plywood boards, some all-thread, couple t nuts and wing nuts. Used it as a sewing jug and press to set the signature block. Now it takes up room in my shop! Very nice to write in, draw in and give away books you’ve made

[@kaywolf1520]

Shoutout to the Museum of Bookmaking in downtown SF! They have a hands-on display for bookbinding techniques that really helped me understand the process for the first time

[@kaboom-zf2bl]

as Adam said book binding itself is simple enough ... the hard part is doing it well .. THAT is where the art and skill shine through

[@azteclady]

Book binding is soooo satisfying!

[@Swayzee68]

I learned bookbinding because of you. I always wanted my own Grail diary so I found a good layout of one, re-typeset the whole thing (used some drawings I found online, made a couple of my own, even created my own font in the style of one of the popular diary fonts, probably taken from the video game? Made an draft version of it on newsprint paper. But after rewriting it I have to make a new one. So great then this video pops up. Now I'm going to have to look into this paper! I wasn't planning to make my version super aged but maybe I will have to! 😆 Have also learned to make journals bound with waxed embroidery thread. Thanks a lot for this new hobby! Enjoying it so much ❤

[@ThiagoOliveira-yk5sy]

As a amateur bookbinding i have to say ta its only easy because of you back ground, Adam , every difficult ting in bookbinding you have already encountered in your life as maker. Like precise measuring, molds, and puting tings together by force and by dexterity.

[@ryokomusouka]

The bookbinding course I took as part of my art degree was one of the most fun. I have handsful of little prototypes that I'll likely never write in, but the fact that I made them is enough.

[@kalchev89]

Awesome video. I have been contemplating sending you one of my books to nudge you into making a book. I've been making books for about four years now and all the things you said are completely true. I still don't have none of the fancy equipment you "need" to make a book. No book press - use two cutting boards and some woodworking clamps, for cutting the holes for the thread I use two expandable planks and woodworking clamps etc. The process is super fun and the end result is super satisfying. If you guys want to try it, don't hesitate.

[@susanj8158]

I love Adam's joy when he is weathering things.

[@MatsJPB]

Nice! I really liked your method for making the book. Looked more... "easily managable" than many others that i've seen.

[@bonetower]

Thank you for this, ever since the original 'making of' for fellowship of the ring, i've wanted to make an old rustic book to scribble in

[@alphamegaman8847]

Hey Adam! 👋 Was thinking it would look nice with your first initial and last name stamped in the leather. Then I envisioned it and realized how appropriate it would be for your style and approach to Making. "A. Savage"😁 Mike in San Diego. 🌞🎸🚀🖖

[@charleskilo4383]

Bookmaking is always one of those crafts that I forget about for a long time and then something comes along (like this video) and I just have the thought "oh yeah, I love making books!" Guess I'm gonna have to dive back in sometime in the near future 😁

[@greyhaircrafter]

My mom was an elementary teacher and would teach the kids how to make books. Used cereal boxes, wallpaper for the cover and computer paper inside. Then they would write and illustrate a story and it would be tagged and put in their library. Kids could “sign them out”. They were so proud!

[@danielstellmon5330]

Book binding: a minute to learn, a life time to master. I read that as a promo to a board game that looked a lot like Go, but that was a long time ago.

[@Soundwrecker]

This was very fun to watch; thank you!

[@emalinedickinson7492]

Man, I used to make booklets around that age, too. It really is such a fun little project that rewards instantaneously.

[@LunteBooks]

"Books, in addition to being repositories, are magnificent objects." So true, thank you Adam and crew! Really enjoyed the information and insights in this video.