Blind Tooling Leather with Handmade Tools

[@Lorddanielrushton371]

As a leather worker I find your technique very good. Beautifully done.

[@workinprogress5431]

It's really been interesting seeing how leather tooling for bookbinding is both alike and different than tooling taught for, say, knife sheaths and similar. I've dabbled with the latter but wound up defaulting to hand pressing my tools instead of using a hammer to gently tap designs and backgrounds into cased leather, which of course can have the trade-off of less depth and definition. Your demonstrations show me how to marry the two...heat! So simple. Thank you!

[@user-cj8ue8uu6s]

Oooh so simple yet so effective

[@Bubba-23nineteen]

I know its made with simole shapes but the outcome is absolutely beautiful

[@DantonBravo]

Eres increíble, me llevas al futuro que Dios está preparando!!!

[@lisajarvis3820]

Your better then you give yourself credit for ~ great job!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Oh thank you :)

[@augustbinderybespokeatelie8092]

That's really good for just starting out and making your own tools. Yes, moistening the leather is a must for blind tooling. The best results I have ever achieved are with a mixture recommended by an excellent bookbinder and are five parts distilled water, one part rose water, and one part or less of glycerin. You will also achieve even better results if you very briefly and quickly polish the tool face on something like a gilder's cushion immediately after cooling the tool and right before you make your impression. This last step is also necessary for gold tooling as well.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

What an excellent tip, thank you! Good tooling is of course something I aspire to eventually. I will definitely try the rosewater and glycerin solution too. Thanks for watching!

[@augustbinderybespokeatelie8092]

@@FourKeysBookArts You're very welcome. You do some excellent work, and your videos are a real joy to watch. Also, perhaps I overdid it when I said one part glycerin. Definitely go with the less. You really only need about a teaspoon, but it's almost impossible to overdo it on the rose water.

[@djoyce777]

thank you for sharing, may I ask, why glycerin? what differences have you noticed using just water vs what you suggested?

[@augustbinderybespokeatelie8092]

@@djoyce777 You're welcome. Adding glycerin has to do with its property as a humectant, or the ability to retain moisture, which increases working time without having to constantly re-wet the leather. But there's actually more to it than that. Glycerin is also a lubricant, so it slightly protects the finish of the leather when applying a heated brass tool. The differences are significant and noticeable. The distilled water, rose water, and glycerin mixture makes for a noticeably cleaner impression compared to just water or distilled water. Hopes this answers your question and happy tooling!

[@munnaza23]

Thank you for a clear demonstration and tips all along. Really appreciate.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@asotpan]

I have only discovered your channel on KZbin and I wish to complement you on your exquisitely filmed videos. I love the very low-level music clips and in some cases complete lack of sound except for the noises of the tools. When using tools the sounds they make in the material being tooled are very much part of the processing of the material. Your steadiness of hand, patience and attention to detail and perfection is inspiring. I haven't seen many KZbin-ers with the skill set that you have. Please keep on making your videos, I will be an avid follower. Can you please post more information on your paper marbelling techniques and the materials and the process you use.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad that my video style has found a receptive audience. And I do hope to make some marbling videos in the future, so stay tuned.

[@sari2756]

this was so fascinating, thank you so much for the precious information!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@elainefeather9465]

Thank you , lovely to watch and very helpful😊

[@joannaharrison9997]

Yes, the hiss would have been lush to hear, but so is your voice and explanations

[@gugamaghlakelidze8204]

I mostly like your videos. They are really useful. Thank you for everything.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you like them!

[@JohnMiller-zr8pl]

Beautiful!

[@mohamadyasinowadally8564]

Impressive!!!

[@jayroland9481]

Fascinating to watch, homemade tools too, well done sir.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you very much!

[@jmichaelolds]

Looks great man.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thanks!

[@anaantoniamaia5400]

Beautiful!!!!! 👋👋👋👋👋👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤

[@rosineviranin1646]

Thank you

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Welcome!

[@mthanry]

Gorgeous. Can't wait to see the next video! Do you also stamp the spine? For title, author, ...

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thanks! Someday when I get some letter type I will definitely add titling. Until then I may just do some more pattern designs there.

[@sydmccabe7081]

Have you by chance ever heat-pressed faux leather specifically made for bookbinding? I want to make some of my books hardcover but am hoping to use a more affordable material.

[@Prdulja2009]

I love your videos , but could you make a little video how to make a simple little book if you have enough materials?

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I have some tutorials planned, so stay tuned!

[@Prdulja2009]

@@FourKeysBookArts nice!

[@Layan--..--]

Can i buy this tools ?

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Sorry, the few I've made are not for sale.

[@Layan--..--]

@@FourKeysBookArts ohhh......can you made again it? And i will buy it😊