How to EASILY make a Leather Bound Book

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I've started adding links to the tools and supplies I use and can locate into the description of all my videos. Full disclosure, purchasing anything through those links helps earn this channel a bit of money as I try and make this more and more of my focus.

[@krixkhaos]

Are you able to list the music as well?

[@MrGlickClick]

I stumbled on your video and looked at your ETSY page. This is some great work! I dont need any of it but Im compelled to buy something because of the craftsmanship. Well done!

[@stormcrowlegendary3512]

1.5k likes and 8 dislikes. Doing good man. I remember as a kid running around leather shops. My aunt and uncle were leather workers for years. Lots of dream catchers vests, chaps, and even some bikinis. Real leather just has this kind of thing about it.

[@dovakingson9798]

Can u make me one

[@willswasteland]

What kind of paper did you use and where did you order it from? Book looks great, your carving skills secede mine by a lot!

[@moontinkleproductions23]

Aaahhhh! I've been watching videos off and on for several weeks and I have finally found THE ONE! I'm making a ship's log for my son and his fiancé's very first sailboat. My father has been sailing since he was a kid, even made his very first sailing dinghy. He taught me. And my son joined us later and grew up on my parent's sail boat. We all loved it. Now it's his turn to own his own sail boat and a proper log. Thanks so much for taking the time to make this video.

[@darcymowat7846]

I bought tooling tools 6 years ago, tried learning from a book and promptly gave up. So happy I found you as I am now tooling and making books!!! You are a great teacher!

[@maiastern162]

Thank you so much for the tutorial! I made my first leather bound notebook and it came out great. Also, thank you son much for responding to my messages asking further questions! If I knew how to attach a picture of the book I made I would

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Send it to me info at darkhorseworkshop.com

[@comma3518]

I want to make my own book of shadows and now im like rly excited

[@kirchoffkyle]

Excellent, now I can surprise Anna with... MANY LEATHER BOUND BOOKS...

[@boltimuss]

Why did i sink all my Profession Points into Engineering and not into Leather Working??

[@ninaroux8791]

boltimuss most underrated comment 😆🤣👏🏻👌🏻

[@RileyTube08]

profession points?

[@bwsrcazk2243]

@@RileyTube08 like in a roleplay game

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Engineering is better for PVP.

[@colinpsajjabi]

@@DarkHorseWorkshop not as fun as this though I like art my dead ass went for engineering but my passion is in art

[@sugarghast]

*suddenly inspired*

[@stephen7258]

To make a book for Anna?

[@dumbredneck4464]

I watched his shield video (I’m Scandinavian and look up to my ancestors) and I got inspired

[@bubba7531]

This is the first time watching a DHW video.Very nice! Thank you for sharing your valuable time with us, Paz

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Glad to have you aboard! Thanks!

[@SavageVR]

Living in wicked early retirement, essentially, and picked up blacksmithing. While looking for leather videos on sheaths I come across your channel. Now I have another hobby to spend money and time on! Leather carving books. LOL

[@Lillyrosechan]

This would be like a cool D&D journal book

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Definitely. :)

[@jackpeated8297]

I just subscribed. I blacksmith and beekeeping, and now I think I'm gonna take up leather working. Thanks for the videos. You do a great job

[@lindakf27]

I love your videos because your instructions are clear and you list links to your tools and supplies. I'd rather hear just you without the music, but at least you kept the volume down. Most folks commenting here like the music, so it's just a personal choice. Your leather working skills are crazy good, so please keep the videos coming. I just subscribed. Brilliant!

[@lj6893]

Absolutely LOVE how this turned out

[@kiernanslife2209]

i'm glad i found this channel its been hard trying to do leather working without good tutorials

[@erikaowen7445]

I'm so excited! As soon as I saw your shirt I knew you would be the best teacher! I'm making my first shadow book!!! All Hail Odin!!!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Yay! Thank you!

[@johnp.holtco.878]

Truly lovely. Love the work, the skill, ease of understanding, presentation and that voice, enchanting. Thank you.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Thanks for the kind words. I need to make more videos. Getting after it starting tonight.

[@myprettyselena]

I've never seen or even heard about book making and carving but I'm going to look into it! Seems like fun.

[@iratevagabond204]

This video inspired me to get into leatherworking a year or so ago. It was only now that I actually made my first books! They are also my first big money items as well! I made a matching set of three books, rebinding my friend's Dungeons and Dragons books. I used 1/16" balsa wood panels as the inside of the cover, with the leather cover stitched to it. Turned out nice. Regarding burnishing, if you don't want to do it by hand, and you don't have a bench burnisher, it's really easy to make attachments for a rotary tool. I bought some 1/8" metal rod from the big box hardware store (Menards, in my case) and some 1/2" round oak dowels. I drilled a hole through the center of the dowel, then epoxied an appropriate length of rod through it. I threw some stain on the edges of various scrap pieces of leather and pressed it against the dowel. I put my rotary tool in a vice, inserted the newly glued attachment into the rotary tool, then turned it on. . . Used a tapered round rasp and set it against the spinning line on the attachment and kept applying pressure until i felt it was deep enough. Voila! Burnisher rotary tool attachment. I went a bit extra and rounded the edges, used my wood burner to put some designs on it, then applied some tung oil. Page tearing is definitely a thing! I had to go buy a monster manual because I ripped the one he provided.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Awesome about the books they sound cool. :)

[@jadebethj4807]

this turned out really beautiful.

[@arilyn3327]

Thank you so much for this!! I've never worked with leather, and now I have a beautiful leather bound book to give as a gift to someone I love! Perfect tutorial.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

You are so welcome!

[@nah3765]

The sound track was a nice touch

[@deckerli5054]

Your detailed descriptions/explanations were very much appreciated. You've created a beautiful piece.

[@gamergirl209]

This is so beautiful. I love notebooks and have always wanted to do something personalized like this. Never seen the gouging technique used to help bend the cover. Definitely easier and faster than what I'd seen. It also looks simple enough to reuse. Fill the notebook then cut out the filled pages and refill for drafts. No need to buy notebooks ever again

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Glad you like it. :)

[@BrisMetalChic29]

Oh wow! I’d love to make something like this for my sketching, watercolour and artwork. I’ve always loved leather bound books. That antique look and call me weird but the smell of the leather I like too.

[@RisingFromTheAshes97]

I love the smell of leather I think alot of people do 😊

[@sirMAXX77]

This is a project I've had in the back of my mind for a couple years. It would be something I'd like to tackle at some point. I'd go all out too with all kinds of adornments. I might start with some super simple designs at first.

[@PathFynderr]

The book looks great. Thanks for the video. I appreciate the commentary you give while going through the video.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Many thanks.

[@Johnny-xh3wk]

A tip for having your tooling not get drowned out by the antique to create contrast is to apply super/satin shene to your tooling before antiquing. dye your tooling how ever you want, finish it with shene, let dry then antique. the shene will save the coloring and provide a barrier to the tooling from the antique. this way the antique will still antique the tooling without sacrificing your tooling.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I've got that process down pretty good now, smart tip though.

[@lorenroberts6786]

You've got one badass voice my dude.

[@termitecolonyofthume2208]

I liked the new angle for the stitching. I could easliy see what you were doing.

[@freespirit3775]

I liked how you threaded it!

[@maraca5797]

Absolutely gorgeous!!! Beautiful cover.

[@poppytw583]

It’s really beautiful book! Thanks for sharing this amazing art!

[@CliKnight]

Thank you for taking the time to make and share this skill. Very grateful..Skal

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

I love doing it. I'm kind of sad I've had no time lately.. Hopefully more soon.

[@RyuSenpai19]

Dude! Finally another video from you I have been waiting for this! Always love your instructions and killer sound this time music on point.

[@TheDonx36]

Thanks for the reply. I can look out for more videos now.

[@veronicahodges4540]

Lovely journal. Not an easy bind or work for most people. Even lost me on your time lapse for the stitching and I make leather journals, but different to your kind. Thanks for sharing.

[@lillemorlagergren8770]

Thanks for sharing! What a beautiful piece of Art. Lots of Love from a Swedish Viking 💖🙋🇸🇪

[@lydiagreenartandhorses]

Thanks for putting this on here, you make it so easy to do, you have such a straight cutting hand, don't think I can do so well...I'm dying to make one, just need to get my materials together, have made paper that I am hoping to use for it, can't wait

[@jrjones9107]

I love your work can't wait for more videos

[@emanemonee]

That is some epic bookmaking music

[@KennethNicholson1972]

That is just beautiful. Great tutorial, thank you.

[@lucysjournal4897]

I'm here so I can make "many leather bound books" for Anna so she'll love me

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Who and where is Anna? Haha

[@lucysjournal4897]

Dark Horse Workshop watch the video named "creepy chess comments" from soothouse you'll understand

[@kemcorpvirtualenterprises3776]

Godspeed.

[@dawnrayammon1449]

@@lucysjournal4897 trolling the trolls ...

[@Mr7valentine7]

Well done! A beautiful book!

[@bartcir89]

Amazing work! You have inspired me to try out leathercraft Magnus. Keep up the great work man!

[@denisestover2416]

Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills! Finished product looks great. I, myself, would prefer the thread to be as dark as the outside cover leather or the darker color like your carving ended up being. Thanks, again! God Bless!!!

[@hiiiitherehaha]

im very excited to try this out :D gonna make a lined book!

[@maureenkennedy3234]

I would never try this myself but what a joy watching the video! You do beautiful work!

[@indianajones7470]

That looks great - I’d gladly buy this. I love the antique aged effect 👍

[@jolantamatys2896]

This is sooo gorgeous. I'm your bigest fan now.Love the choice of music to.

[@derguccitragetbratanski8255]

Fantastic 🤯 I’ve never seen a book like this😲

[@DirtScraps]

This was amazing to watch. I have a new appreciation for handmade leather journals now! ❤️😱❤️

[@edniz]

Carving a frame would look wonderful on that cover.

[@odettenightshade4047]

My goodness this is amazing, thanks for making the video!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

odette nightshade Glad you found it handy.

[@jumanjicostco3248]

I subbed the moment I saw all your viking collection at 4:30 (that includes your beard). I instantly got the gist of what this channel is about~

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Cassie Barns Happy you're enjoying the videos. The beard is on shave watch right now. I said I'd shave it when I got down to a certain weight. I'll bring it back right away though I'm sure. Haha

[@ReinBelmont]

2:15 using a hollow punch instead of an awl for the signatures. That's some next level stuff, i like it.

[@lovetobeahorse8566]

Love your big , bad, evil , black hammer! ⚒

[@MCGaar]

Incredible embossing

[@HellsMasterKight]

great work - i write books as a hobby and this would be great to put my story's in

[@dreesemo3323]

rebinding my Harry Potter books. thank you for help!!

[@koistarz]

Anna... I have many... leather bound books

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Where are all the Anna comments coming from?

[@koistarz]

Dark Horse Workshop Lol it’s a joke from a video about a female Chess player who gets creepy comments from people and... it’s kinda hard to explain. The channel is called Soothouse and you should check it out to see what I mean lol it’s pretty funny

[@jacobnair6707]

Dark Horse Workshop Anna rudolf

[@EmptyBrewsky]

And your apartment smells of....rich...Mahogany.

[@lucygray6162]

It's funny if you're thirteen years old. For adults, the yawn factor kicks in quickly. This isn't the place for bored adolescents. Let the guy work in peace.

[@arvilmaddox6666]

I believe I will have to try and make one myself now. Beautiful work!!

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

+Arvil Maddox awesome to hear

[@millawelge5643]

He said this will not be intimidating... 2 MINUTES LATER HE CARVED THIS AMAZINGLY COMPLICATED SWIRRL

[@rexgrl3]

Stunning! Maybe some metallic gold accents on another knot work carving?

[@ThrowingStones32]

I have been looking for a way to do this...this is a solid foundation video. Thank you.

[@soniarodriguez2072]

Amazing. Such talent.

[@EDH-kp6xi]

loved the cover design, wish I could do it : )

[@AlittleSprite]

stunning work.

[@VioletRoseOfficial]

I LOVE THIS. THANK YOU.

[@rahimzabimza]

Looks amazing!! 🤍

[@njneer]

Very nice! Thanks for the video.

[@michaels728]

Its always good to leave about a quarter or 3/8" inch of leather around the edges of your pages for the overall size of your leather book. After making them for many years I and restoring old books in the university library I have learned many ways of doing so. Also its best to come in either half or 5/8" inch from both ends of your paper to punch your first set of holes for the binding. And then measure however far apart you wish to make your other holes for the binding. Just dont go to crazy and punch to many holes and risk them from tearing out of your book. And when punching all the holes into your paper chapters for binding its always best to use some form of clamps to keep all your pages together from moving around to much or uneven as you punch the holes in the spine of your pages. I found that using small or medium size spring or metal paper clamps are great for holding all the pages together before hole punching. Also if your doing a leather lined book like in this video then you dont have to punch holes into your other front face piece of leather of the book. Just leave your leather liner larger than the front face leather and stitch your pages just to the leather lining instead. Then once you have it all ready to go. First glue the spine down first of the leather liner to the spine of the front face piece. Then working from the middle of the book to the outside of the book of both sides. Once you have it glued down, trim off any excess leather of your leather liner off around the front face book cover piece of leather. That way itll look like an older style of book binding and the stitched pages dont show on the outside of the book and are completely concealed sandwiched inbetween the two pieces of leather. Yet there are so many different ways to make a leather bound book and its also a personal preference how you want it to look like. When using the V gouge to make the grooves into the leather to fold or bend. You only want to go about one third the thickness of your leather. The V gouge is adjustable so you dont go all the way through your leather.

[@jacquihowe4612]

Thanks Michael S. Now I have an answer to my question re V-gouge versus an Adjustable Groover :)

[@ZyKurahRayn]

Friendly tip- if you had a link to a cart full of each item in the video, hat would be super helpful! As it stands I have to click and add each individually. Which I’ll do. Because I think you’re rad and you vids are to the point and simple. I love it.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Totally makes sense but isn't possible with how Amazon works.

[@elunelammas5635]

Thanks 🖤 for showing us how Easy it can be, and for explained so well, I'm gonna make my own book of Shadows.. Skäl 🍻

[@londiniumarmoury7037]

Great video, really nice end result.

[@shannonhunt7006]

OMG this is exactly what I have been looking for! Thank you so so much for making this video. All of your work is absolutely impressive. I have been wanting to get into making Viking stuff for ever. I'd love to learn from someone like you.

[@kemcorpvirtualenterprises3776]

I AM HERE FOR ANNA!!!!

[@korismemedump6640]

Interesting thought my man, thanks for sharing!

[@teeth6209]

I made a character a while back who was basically a librarian in the library of the universe which is a big thing in my current dnd campaign. There is a home brew magical item I made which can transport one person to the library to take one or two books depending on their level (Above 15 is 2-3 depending on the amount of information). Ima use this as one of the books he carries with him when I make a cosplay of him

[@genexxer1]

nice effect at cover design!

[@Soldier4USA2005]

Thanks for sharing this awesome video, dude!!! Great job!!! I plan on making books soon. Mostly for personal use in a live stream Dungeons & Dragons game I play in. The book is going to be a journal/prayer book my Paladin is protecting from corrupt members of his temple.

[@JohnMarshall-yq6zq]

Really like that antiquing process with the sprayer. If you have any designs beyond the serpents please show those. Your work is amazing. Thank you for the content.

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Within the last couple of years I found my groove a bit more artistically with the serpents, starting to slowly try and branch out, like my recent videos that have a boar in them.

[@thump72]

That's really cool. Thank you. If we all could only stitch that fast lol. But stitching relaxes me so maybe not??

[@stitchandsteelhomestead8372]

I made a thing! Thanks for the inspiration I made a journal just like this today. I drew my own art to carve though, a lily of the valley in a circle

[@moviedolljv]

This is freaking gorgeous!

[@AnnaRudolfChess]

This is brilliant, Richard! I'm glad my fans found you and drew my attention to your channel :) Keep up the great work! (PS: The urinal vlog is hilarious, please make more.)

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

It was pretty funny, I had this spike in views on this video suddenly. It was crawling along a little bit, but then it took off. It took me a while to figure out why, but the whole Leather Bound Books thing finally got figured out.

[@altway4879]

anna... i will... FIND YOU

[@etceteraleatherworks1103]

This video alone earned you my subscription! Good work!

[@ronpars5951]

Giọng Đức Phúc đỉnh quá đi mất. Nó kiểu mộc mạc, ko màu mè và nghe rất chân thành ấy ❤❤❤❤❤ Mong 1 ngày sẽ được ngồi ở trời Đà Lạt và nghe Phúc hát 🎵

[@johnmartin9062]

Thanks for the tutorial brother. Strong work. Im thinking of doing this for my own personal hobby and this just inspires me even more.

[@karenfinneganart2480]

Thank you so much. I'm definitely going to have a go at this

[@jenniferksummer]

This pure artistry. I’m cracking up at “EASY.” ❤️❤️

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Hey now. At it's most simple form it's a chunk of leather with holes in it that you lace to pages with holes in them. :P

[@jenniferksummer]

Dark Horse Workshop just accept that you’re a gifted genius! ❤️

[@LindyDesignLab]

More like a hard working man who has practiced his trade for many years and gained skills the hard and admirable way, not through some magical talent.

[@agmo8132]

Great technique

[@brucestuart8180]

Just found your channel, great work! I'd like to make a book for my wife for her b-day so thanks for sharing. I do a little leatherwork, mostly knife sheaths so this should hopefully be an easy transition. Again, fabulous work!!

[@jadebethj4807]

I'm here again, as I'm going into a new project!

[@vonbyorn9098]

I like the choice in music for this

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

Trying to keep it epic.

[@joeshittheragman2389]

Dude...the music reminds me of vanilla World of Warcraft...Im watching this great video and flashing back ...lolol...thank you for the video...I want to start to do this in the near future...doing copper wire and such jewelry atm...thanks again

[@DarkHorseWorkshop]

joeshittherag man Vanilla WoW was best WoW.

[@amandapeterson790]

WOW .... just ... wow .... amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@OblivionIsatHand]

Man i thought i will find here some easy hobby stuff but this son of a gun isn't a "wannabe hobby guy" he is full professional sh*t - real awsome sh*t!! ...mindblowing Full Respect

[@angelaruck3702]

Very nice work!!

[@bailandoeres]

que belleza de trabajo!!!!! felicitaciones

[@jeffseaton5193]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@shawncharton9416]

Beautifully done, good sir.