Edge Gilding with Real Gold Leaf; John Mitchell Approach // Adventures in Bookbinding

[@ArtaCartii]

You, dear sir, are ab oath-breaker! A secret-revealer and a mystery-demystifyer! And I simply adore that! I cannot recommend your videos enough. A big thank you and much love from Romania!

[@DASBookbinding]

Great to hear from you. I love your work! I just found one of your videos I don't think I've seen. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYO8ammnaNKfb7M The paring of the spine on the curved stone is a great idea. What do you use to get that great Venetian red colour on the edge? All the best, Darryn

[@ArtaCartii]

@@DASBookbinding hahaaa! Thank you man! It s an adaptation I did even when I was paring with a straight knife. Not having a French paring knife limited my spine paring method, so I had to devise this. You basically shave off longitudinal lines in the head region, then flip it and do the tail, then you shave some more to make the transitions smooth, and then I sand it by hand to get everything flush. The red? Depends. When doing modern bindings and big numbers I use acrylic, 1:1 dilution, brushed quickly and forcefully and then blowdried to avoid seepage. Then I burnish it with crumped up paper (which i do recommend fore Bole as well, it s an old trade secret I ve learned) and then wax it perhaps. When doing period bindings or old books, I use watercolor, strong dilution, also burnished but fixed with beeswax and turpentine.

[@khaleesidove1218]

That's freaking bad azz! I wish there was an easier way for me to do this as a random person that wants one book gilded. But turns out this is literally a whole life thing. And I respect it!

[@DASBookbinding]

You can fake it with gold paint. Most commercial binders that offer this use heat activated foil. Very few binders still do gold leaf edges. Very hard to make much money doing it, and many things can go wrong:) DAS

[@NAConen]

@@DASBookbinding AHHH thank you. I’m sitting here watching this going, “There must be an easier way.”

[@augustbinderybespokeatelie8092]

Darryn, you are truly generous with your skills and knowledge, and might I also add always seem to have the perfect timing with your videos! Always a pleasure to learn from you!

[@DASBookbinding]

You're very welcome. BTW, I bet you're going to ask how to gild rounded corners. I have no idea, but if you work it out, let me know:) All the best, Darryn

[@boigeorge1149]

What a nostalgia blast, just from a review of an older video. I remember when i was young i had a book about a young boy who stayed with his grandfather over the summer, and learned to ride a "cutting" horse under his grandfather's guidance. He started out very spoiled, and didn't really give a fig about the horse, but over time he grew as a person and really began to care about this old white cattle horse. I've never been able to find another copy, and as i recall, that book had yellow edging on all sides of the book.

[@AshleyDawnD]

This is a wonderful video, and you are such a wonderful person for sharing and teaching these processes. I've been trying to learn gilding for months now and its so difficult to find information. Thank you so much for sharing everything you do!

[@DASBookbinding]

Thanks for your kind words. Good luck with the gilding! Darryn

[@mikezinn7212]

Thought I heard a cat meow in an earlier video of yours. All revealed here!

[@DASBookbinding]

We have 2 apprentices. I don't like letting them take any of my limelight:) DAS

[@mikezinn7212]

@@DASBookbinding Quite right too!

[@jamesglover831]

Another perfectly explained vid, you rock!!

[@andynonymous6769]

I really look up to you. I wish I had a bookbinding workshop and knew all the ins and outs. You seem like a really cool guy

[@catgrrrl5666]

Wow, I wasn't even sure it was called guilding... and I didn't think I'd find it here. Such an informative video 👏. Ty!

[@Flat_Earth_Sophia]

Great video! Real gilding. All the other videos are for plastic heat transfer foil. Which is not gilding.

[@amalyusuf4059]

I liked the techniques used.

[@nomadsp4617]

Great video. Thank you so much : )

[@storyl365]

Thank you. Excellent lesson

[@ryannixon1346]

Wonderful video thanks for all your discussion on the application and steps

[@TYoung023]

Absolutely an excellent video! Very well produced. I was actually looking for information on gilding to wood but this was fascinating. I’ve learned, but not practiced, some techniques for reverse glass gilding. In my youth, I remember books…. Haha. Actually, I’ve always had a special admiration for any book with a gilded edge (imitation or not). Thanks for the video!

[@vladimirnovosel]

Thank you Sir, excellent stuff!

[@blackheartpress]

Great video, thank you for this!

[@Crina-LudmilaCristeaAuthor]

This is wonderful!

[@vasuhardeo1418]

That was just too Cool, great work:)

[@jdh_images]

Great explanation - can’t find the recipe for the size you mention.

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry! I had a nagging feeling I'd forgotten something. It's been added to the description. DAS

[@o.phenry4644]

Really fantastic! Subscribe right away!

[@marcireale]

Wow, that was anxiety-inducing! Especially when the gold leaf folded over on itself. 😬

[@DASBookbinding]

Trouble with the camera is it is very distracting and while handling gold you need to stay focused. I had leaves of gold going everywhere. I almost put in some bloopers of this at the end. It's good practice at recovering them. They're only $4 each. Ciao, DAS

[@dinoklein]

I really enjoy your video's. They really show all the facets of the techniques, including possible problems you might encounter. I'm interested at exploring bookbinding myself with an emphasis on medieval bookbinding. Do you have any literature recommendations for medieval bookbinding? Regards from the Netherlands

[@DASBookbinding]

The bible on this subject is "The Archaeology of Medieval Bookbinding" by Szirmai. But it is not a how to manual. It is a complex question because there is no single "medieval" book structure. Most of the tutorials on the net are pastiches of the style. It is something I think is best worked up to. In the next couple of months I'll be doing a flexibly sewn tight-back which is a good entry point for this area of binding. I also have a modern take on the 16th century K118 binding planned for second half of the year. All the best, Darryn

[@dinoklein]

@@DASBookbinding Thank you for the information. I will look it up. I should be able to get some additional info from some archaeologists I know and fellow re-enactors with an interest in bookbinding or calligraphy/iconography. I will also keep a weather eye on your channel for interesting video's.

[@c.a.mcdivitt9722]

I know that, at least in the US, Tractor Supply caries those huge syringes.

[@DASBookbinding]

Don't need them. Just handy if you can get them for free. Otherwise you can just pour some size and hopefully not spill too much:) DAS

[@amez643]

Increidible

[@carlpeberdy9086]

Thank you for this wonderful video! I have never done any burnishing, but am about to give it a go. Do you have any video on what to look for in a good burnishing tool and could you describe the profile of the tool that you don't have? Is it a continuous arc or flat in the center and curved on the corners? Thanks once again.

[@DASBookbinding]

The one I don't have is about 3 inches wide and very gently curves. I imagine the radius must be like 2 feet. The flat one I use is from Hewits and the link is in the description. I have friends that use things like polished quartz pebbles. Anything hard polished and near flat. Ciao, DAS

[@carlpeberdy9086]

@@DASBookbinding Thanks for the reply - 3" wide, Crikey! I'm sure there's a reference from the Carry On films in there somewhere!

[@nich6220]

Many of the boles seem to require rabbit glue. You used the starch size instead. Does that mean I could use any size mixed with the bole clay powder? I don't want to use rabbit glue! Your videos are amazing by the way!!!

[@DASBookbinding]

In the different edge gilding videos I try and the different sizes traditionally used by bookbinders - gelatine, starch, PVA. So, yes you can use what you want. There is even a type made from boiling scraps of parchment (doesn't last very long). I do know of old timers that used the glue from the animal hide glue pots.

[@lillybell2472]

Love your press. What type of wood is it. Thank you for the video

[@DASBookbinding]

Some sort of eucalyptus. Made by Frank Wiesner. DAS

[@iqbrito]

Hi. Great video! Thank you. I'm new at the edge gilding and English is my second language. What is ball?

[@DASBookbinding]

A type of red clay www.hewitonline.com/Red_Bole_p/fn-090.htm

[@dawnhoffmann3685]

Thank you for this! Is the starch corn or wheat? I cannot find any information about that part. Also I am curious, is finely milled refined corn or wheat the same thing? Or does laundry starch have another additive in it? Thanks again!

[@DASBookbinding]

Wheat. If you can't find wheat I'd suggest rice. Not sure about cornstarch. All starches aren't the same. But for this use, maybe the differences aren't too important. So maybe cornstarch would be fine. Give it a go? Laundry starch usually has whitening agents, which is best avoided. The laundry starch I use supposedly doesn't. But I don't think it is available any more.

[@Baelfyr]

Another great video. Very clear instructions and the video is easy to follow along. I'm no where near at this level of book binding but its nice to know i have these videos to reference when i feel comfortable attempting it myself. P.s. where do you get your bees wax from? Ive bought some from bookbindingaustralia.com but its only 5g blocks, wouldnt mind getting a big block like you have there. Is there a local shop that sells bookbinding supplies in brisbane? Im located on the sunshine coast.

[@dinoklein]

Maybe look for a local bee keeper? I get big blocks of bees wax from a colleague of mine that keeps bees.

[@DASBookbinding]

Most of the local markets have someone selling their honey and they usually have wax too. Just keep an eye out and you'll see someone soon enough. I think I got these for $2 each. Until you find these a paraffin candle works fine, just doesn't smell as nice. QBG sells supplies to members and I sell from my bindery in Brookfield. My price list is here. I have more than the stuff listed for sale. I'll also have a table at the upcoming QBG Open Day in March at BVAC in Tarragindi. dasbookbinding.com/shop/ I'll also be doing workshops in Brisbane this year via QBG, if you're interested. All the best, Darryn

[@MrDaviddesouza]

What can I use as a substitute for bole? Can I mix an acrylic paint to that colour? I live in goa, India where laterite is a common stone/mineral. It’s around that color, what if I powdered it and strained through a very fine sieve?

[@DASBookbinding]

Maybe not acrylic. But the laterite should work. You'd just have to try on some scrap. Good luck!

[@MrDaviddesouza]

thank you @@DASBookbinding

[@ellalthea]

John Mitchell's book suggests using an elliptical method when burnishing with a flat burnisher, but it looks like you just do a straight back and forth. Is this just habit, or do you have a preference?

[@DASBookbinding]

I have tried this and found it is really easy to rock the burnisher ever so slightly and leave burnishing marks. Maybe if I practiced more I'd find I could avoid the burnishing marks and the end result is better. If Mr Mitchell does it there must be a good reason. DAS

[@simmijoshua8816]

Hi sir, o really like your work. Watch'from India. Pls tell me how can I get products. I wanna rebinding my Bible

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry, but India is somewhere I don't know where to get bookbinding products. I'd be very interested to know too. There is a link in the description of my videos to places I recommend. All the best, DAS

[@simmijoshua8816]

@@DASBookbinding it's ok. I am trying to find golden paper of hot stamping for golden pages. Thank you

[@ShylockedHerArt]

Hello, I've tried the heat transfer foil from craftangles in India. I have also worked with gold leaf available online. But both need a lot of practice. I have tried several books and am still learning.

[@CastleStar5596]

Can you show how to do gold lettering on book covers?

[@DASBookbinding]

I do it 3 ways, with a blocking machine, with brass type in a hand chase with either foil and sometimes real gold, and rarely with real gold and handle letters. It is hard enough to do with no one watching, I don't think I'm up to the last 2. I occasionally briefly show using the blocking press in a few videos. Do you have something specific in mind? Yours, Darryn

[@CastleStar5596]

@@DASBookbinding im not quite sure how to explain it properly but embossed letters with gold foil

[@DASBookbinding]

@@CastleStar5596 Yep. Unfortunately the traditional methods, which I use, all involve very expensive tools and machines. The gold foil or leaf is relatively cheap. The best bet is to find an established bindery that you can pay to use their tools and equipment. Many binderies do this, especially if they do teaching. Most of my finishing hand tools are on loan. But I will put it on the list of videos. All the best, Darryn

[@CastleStar5596]

@@DASBookbinding i will look into that option, your videos have been a huge help in teaching me how to bind books. More specific, binding comic books together, using the pamphlet bind video that you showed a while back. Did the library binding technique for awhile with comics but couldnt get the spine curve right so when you showed the pamphlet bind technique, it made binding so much easier and faster particularly with short runs of comics. So again, thank you for showing how to make bookbinding a fun hobby or career and thank you for your time as well. Much love and respect from the U.S.

[@TheLinkmaster001]

Is it possible to gild a book and then round it? Or would that ruin the effect?

[@DASBookbinding]

It is common to round after gilding. It can give an interesting affect, like gilding in the the rough.

[@nashvillain171]

*8:29** Bookbinder's apprentice*

[@carlpeberdy9086]

Considering how magical the whole thing is, it must be the bookbinders familiar!

[@DASBookbinding]

But makes lumpy paste:( DAS

[@nashvillain171]

@@DASBookbinding 😹😹😹

[@mikezinn7212]

@@DASBookbinding Paw print paste paper?

[@DASBookbinding]

@@mikezinn7212 You have no idea! The number of times the cats have run across wet paste paper and then left little paw prints all through the house! I made a book for my wife for Xmas using one of those paw print papers:) DAS

[@andynonymous6769]

I don’t have a guillotine but would sanding it really well work?

[@DASBookbinding]

Have a look at the video on trimming and edge without (a guillotine). That might work better. Good luck. DAS

[@ak47bobbarke]

Did it work? You never opened the book to see if the gold leaf stayed in place

[@DASBookbinding]

Yes it did:) Trust me. DAS

[@colinsmith5218]

Yes, that distinctive peering into the microwave.

[@cameronackerman4396]

If I used gold paint instead could I get similar results?

[@DASBookbinding]

Sorry, looks completely different. But some people are happy with that. DAS

[@stevelibby6852]

No stupid questions, just stupid people that ask them. Is there a way to reclaim gilding from discarded books that will (or likely won't) sell for less than a dollar with or without the gilding?

[@DASBookbinding]

Most books after mid 20th century will mostly likely have fake gold on them. Any book with real gold on it is an important historical artefact, even if it's only a dollar at the thrift store. Old books are a non-renewable resource that are going away too fast. Plus, the amount of gold is absolutely tiny. Much less than in most modern electronics. It might even be unrecoverable. More gold was lost applying the gold than ended up on the book.

[@stevelibby6852]

@@DASBookbinding All good information, thanks!! Now I can stop day dreaming about this lol. I am a book seller and find homes for books from estate sales. Those that cannot be sold profitably are donated to a local charity called books4cause.

[@Gbhmagic]

would one ise the same method for guilding playing cards?

[@DASBookbinding]

You could but most playing cards with gild edges will be done with foil. And the round corners are a problem for gold leaf.

[@Gbhmagic]

@@DASBookbinding is it just called guilding foil? Amazon they use the terms interchangeably for some reason.. leaf and foil.

[@DASBookbinding]

@@Gbhmagic I wish it were that simple. Do your cards have rounded corners? Are they home made or commercial cards? Using foil for edge gilding can be a bit tricky. The 3 factors that determine gilding success with foil are temperature pressure and dwell time (how long you apply pressure and temp). The manufacturer usually specifies this. Sometimes you just get temperature and that other two are more forgiving and you can work them out. Temperature is very important and usually why people fail. The foils sold on amazon are low grade cheap and they don't give you this information. So you have to guess and experiment. This means lots of tests to work it out. For small scale production environments a heated silicone coated roller is usually used. There are some big commercial machines that use huge heated plates. I've heard of people managing to get some success with a clothes iron. I tried it without much success. The surface/edge has to be prepared and very smooth too. Some materials/papers just don't like to take foil, especially hard art type papers. This can usually be fixed with a surface size, such as one that Schmedt sells (can't be posted OS, so only available in EU). I've heard of people using a PVA size.

[@sislertx]

Where do.u find real talc these days

[@DASBookbinding]

I buy bulk from a barber supply company. If you're in Brisbane you can come by the bindery and I'll give you some.

[@brianhostak3961]

I will probably be banned from this site if I ask : Is rubber cement ever used in place of other adhesives ?

[@DASBookbinding]

Maybe not banned, but no I never use rubber cement for bookbinding. Just no need. Even the most fancy professional grade PVA/EVA and some wheat starch and MC might set you back $30 plus postage and would last most people a year or more. Ciao, Darryn

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

I disagree with the techniques you have used, sir.

[@DASBookbinding]

It's not my technique, but based on historical methods of working. I've tried to be as informative as possible. DAS

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

@@DASBookbinding I prefer the more modern techniques

[@mikezinn7212]

@@trailerparksupervisor7046 I would be interested in what your 'modern techniques' are?

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

@@mikezinn7212 utilise a bookbinding robot and drone