Making A Handmade Book - Part 4 - Paring & Applying Leather

In this video I take the case I made in Part 3 and apply its leather coverings. This book will have an alternate version of a half binding, in which the fore edges are covered in a single strip of leather, rather than just the corners. In the next video I will wax and burnish the decorative marbled paper before applying it to the cover and assembling the finished book!
I did experience some camera issues while filming this video, so I apologize for the grainy quality from about 1:25 to 2:36.
Timestamps
0:10 - marking out where the leather will go.
0:32 - measuring for the spine leather with paper.
1:06 - making templates for selecting leather.
1:34 - selecting and cutting the leather.
2:44 - paring the leather pieces.
4:32 - wetting out the leather and applying wheat paste.
7:03 - applying the leather to the case.
9:14 - trimming and turning in the corners.
12:28 - weighing down the case to dry.
Watch the previous videos in this series here:
Part 1 - Folding and Sewing the Book: • Making a Handmade Book...
Part 1.5 - Endpapers and Trimming: • Making a Handmade Book... .
Part 2 - Sewing Three-Color Endbands: • Making a Handmade Book...
Part 3 - Making the Case: • Making A Handmade Book...
And the next and final video is here:
Part 5 - Marbled Paper & Casing In: • Making A Handmade Book...
________
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Or you can drop a tip in my PayPal account: paypal.me/Four...
Four Keys Book Arts marbled papers and handmade books are available for sale in my Etsy shop, with worldwide shipping available: etsy.me/2VGqhcr
Follow me on social media:
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All original works of art in this video are copyrighted exclusively by Four Keys Book Arts.
All music was composed and performed by Poor Inked Endings. In this video you're listening to:
The Fisher King
Soul Compass
Night Birds
Is It Raining?
Hollow
Wood & Wire
Listen to and support Poor Inked Endings here: noisetrade.com...
#bookbinding #fourkeysbookarts #handmadebooks

[@ig7002]

I looked at your shop and I'm honestly surprised by the price. If you make all your books like this, they've gotta be worth like $500. These are works of art.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you! My books don't run quite that high, but they are more than mass-produced journals to be sure.

[@TotalPamarchy]

I love how you are using an old text/workbook to glue on. What a great idea!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

It's the only appropriate use for a math book (for me at least!)

[@TotalPamarchy]

@@FourKeysBookArts Haha that is a good use for one :)

[@robbabcock_]

Ah, now I see why your tools are so sharp! A pass over a leather strop with green jeweler's rouge will do the trick.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Yes, the strop really helps extend the working life of the edge between honings.

[@brooklynyo8507]

If you had to guess, how many books do you think you've made in your lifetime? Awesome watching a master at work, thanks for sharing 🙂

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you so much! I would guess a few hundred books maybe? I've only been making books seriously for a few years.

[@brooklynyo8507]

@@FourKeysBookArts awesome yo, they are beautiful ❤️

[@n_eran7802]

@@FourKeysBookArts are u selling your book?

[@JohnMiller-zr8pl]

@@brooklynyo8507 yo science!...😄

[@theahoogvliet7014]

OMG I love it 😍 you’re the Bob Ross of books! So relaxing to watch. Thank you so much 😊

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Wow, thank you! That is high praise :)

[@suewalsh7782]

This is one of the calming videos I have ever watched, you have the patience of a Saint. I am.in awe

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@pikoesquinx]

OMG just searched about making a handmade book this evening and there is fresh one right outta the oven!! we love to see it, these videos are so informative and calming

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Freshly baked for your enjoyment!🤣

[@evelynwatson345]

I see you use an old plane blade for pairing leather. I have an old one from my late father-in-laws joinery collection. He was a joiner to trade. What do I need to get the blade sharp again? Can you recommend a tutorial for plane blade sharpening? I know very little about sharpening blades. Yours cuts through the leather like butter. Not easy to do, I know as a leather worker. I’d love to find out more. Really fascinated by your bookbinding tutorials, which for me, combine my love of leatherwork to that of book binding.

[@veronicac660]

Most woodworking KZbinrs have plane iron maintenance videos. Rex Krueger has some really good restoration how tos

[@ariah5093]

At first, I was like "I can't do this." BUT THEN I GOT INVESTED

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Sometimes that's all it takes! 😊

[@simonb4666]

Woohoo! Another video! Thank you so much - your videos are so helpful!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I'm glad you're finding them useful.

[@diegomaciel2769]

thanks for your content, it just made my day! really incredible great job, with so primacy.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you!

[@michellebartel]

Such a beautiful art. These are lovely.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thanks so much 😊

[@MisterRose90]

The irony of making a book on top of another book is not lost on me. 😂

[@samarodeaalshalal3279]

شكرا.. افضل فديو تعليمي رايته على قناة اليوتيوب من العراق.. اشكرك

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you!

[@taqwahusaini9284]

أني أيضا من العراق

[@DancingWindSt]

I love your detailed videos on making books. I find them the best. You using PVA white glue for papers, is it a special pva type, that doesn't yellow? And what kind of glue you using for leather that sticks so good?

[@saranyasivasankaran4809]

Wow awesome you made another video in short time ❤️👍🏻

[@FourKeysBookArts]

The next one is being edited now.

[@eleazarmartinezolmedo5678]

He visto todos estos videos y muestran una experiencia y un forma de hacer su trabajo verdaderamente maravillosa. Enhorabuena.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you!

[@Jessica__3578]

You did really a great job 🙂💖

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you so much!

[@Jessica__3578]

@@FourKeysBookArts your welcome 😀

[@mrmook88able]

Wow this is amazingly beautiful

[@FourKeysBookArts]

So glad you liked it.

[@AliceGoesNomad]

❗You blew my mind when you beveled that leather freehand!

[@juanitocentella]

Muchas gracias por compartir tus conocimientos y tú tiempo. Saludos cordiales desde Ciudad de México.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you for watching!

[@maxhobo5029]

what are these marbled blocks are made of? and which marpletechnic you use? ebru? it's possible to get those shiny bright coloring (like on your papersheets) with sumanagashi and what kind of colors do you use ? :D thanks a lot, really appreciate your effort in doing books the tradional way, now my understanding of medieval books (and writings) is changed completly.

[@miguelamaro9428]

Wow dope. Waiting to see the result. Don't give up on the channel

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Next video is being edited now!

[@AutobotProwler]

It must be amazing to make things to universal acclaim

[@علاء.عادل.الرفاعي]

أنت رائع and in English, you are amazing

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you! 😃

[@lisajarvis3820]

Nice leather!!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

It's goatskin and a pleasure to work with.

[@simonedoherty6195]

Do you only use PVA glue when making your books. I have used flour (of different varieties) as a glue for my very basic book making (certainly not an expert, in fact a completer novice!) as I've used different sorts of flour glue for other work like Hanji which is a Korean paper craft work. I also use rice flour glue for my Japanese woodblock printing, although it is a "fastener" to stop watercolour running and an "even spreader" (as in uniform colour assist) in the woodblock printing case.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

PVA has its uses but its too much of a beast to use for everything, in my opinion. I often mix it with methyl cellulose to slow the setup time. I use wheat paste for leather, and though I haven't done much paper repair I would use starch paste for that application. Thanks for the question!

[@worms4lunch]

I made my first photo book thanks to you

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Great 👍

[@5zurek33]

Hi. I really like your works.I have a question. What glue are you using at 5:18 minutes into this video? Is this the same glue you use in part 5 at 11:10 minutes? Thank you for the information and best regards.

[@joshtaylor1065]

Why glue the leather together, pull them apart, scrape off the glue, and then glue them again? Does it create a better bond?

[@kristolly3149]

Do you use a specific leather for this? If not, do you have a preference?

[@FourKeysBookArts]

This is veg-tanned goat leather, which I do prefer. It pares easily and accepts tooling well.

[@lokeshjaluthariya5684]

To good

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thanks!

[@triciaosborn8093]

And what type of glue is that? And how long do you need to weight press the pages before gluing the spine and cover?

[@xyannzel]

Hi! Can I ask do we need to skin the learher? And why did you skin the leather?

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I pare the leather to reduce the thickness, especially along the edges. If the leather is too thick the book won't open well and will have ugly ridges at the edges.

[@justinothais]

Great video. I'm curious, why didn't you use your press at the end?

[@FourKeysBookArts]

The press applies too much pressure and would cause problems, like squeezing out glue, shifting the leather, or crushing it. Long, gentle weight is what was needed. Thanks for the question!

[@justinothais]

@@FourKeysBookArts Thank You!

[@salehtalal1650]

Would you please tell me about the name of the yellow piece like cloths socked in water and what is it’s benefit

[@samrodian919]

Can you tell me what the different glue is that you were using on the leather? And your reasoning not to use PVA? It clearly isn't PVA as you use that in this video as well. I used to be a church organ builder and am used to using hot animal glue exclusively on Lambskin for air reservoirs ( bellows) and pneumatic motors.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you for the excellent question! You are entirely correct that I am not using PVA on the leather. The adhesive is wheat paste, and I use it rather than PVA for this application for a number of reasons. Wheat paste has a long open time, which is beneficial when trying to get the leather in place and turned in. I could have gotten away with using PVA on a small project like this, but I prefer the forgiveness of the paste. As far as bonding strength paste is remarkably effective when fully cured, yet it is still reversible, unlike PVA. (And I have had to take advantage of this on my own work!) Paste is also archival, and very inexpensive as well, as I make it whenever I need it. I use straight PVA frequently, but usually only when I'm certain I can get the parts being glued in place quickly and accurately, or in specific areas where I need some fast bonding, such as along the joints of the covers in this video. I have not done much research on animal glues for bookbinding, though I believe that such adhesives are used. I will have to some reading. Thanks for watching!

[@lisajarvis3820]

@@FourKeysBookArts 😂 this answered my question too! Have you tried a glue they have on Amazon called “Yasutomo Nori” it is a paste too, it’s reposition able, water soluble, acid free and slow drying ~ not to price either ~ it’s made in Japan ~ I prefer this for all of my glue work in book binding instead of using any other types of glue/paste!!

[@triciaosborn8093]

What is the thickness of the chip board and leather you used for the cover and spine?

[@triciaosborn8093]

And how long to weight press the cover before proceeding to next step?

[@JohnMiller-zr8pl]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@wetlandweasel]

What is the purpose of the bowl of water and the sponge?

[@ashleyyoung905]

I would love to do this however with the money I make, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

[@roberthartung594]

This would have been much more informative with some spoken text to at least describe the aims of each of the steps and perhaps some idea of the measurement allowances taken in the cutting.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Hi Robert, Thanks for your feedback. When I began this video series I didn't really have a plan for it to be a tutorial. I simply filmed my process and tried to make it calming and enjoyable to watch. By the time I made this video (more than a year later) I felt that suddenly changing the format would be a disappointment to those viewers who had been waiting for the conclusion. Lots of people are asking for tutorial videos now, so I may revisit a project like this one with a more instructive approach. Thanks again for watching!

[@robertphillips93]

Mr. Hartung -- yes, and also no . . . What we find here is a wonderful wordless exposition of craftsmanship using a minimum of specialized tools. You won't see many professionals paring leather with the knife from a hand plane! There are so many choices to be made for each kind of project that it's easy for a novice to get lost in the weeds . . . but one of the best and most comprehensive video collections by a pro are those by DAS Bookbinding. He knows his stuff, and there's a lot to be learned -- if you can keep up!

[@IAMTHELION622]

No D.

[@FyrenSelvin]

Destroy a book to make a book ...

[@harmarka5462]

Fascinating, but the tedious, dreary, droning soundtrack makes this unwatchable except on mute.