Making A Medieval Book By Hand - Part 2 - Trimming & Rounding, Edge Decoration, Sewing Endbands

Hello everyone, and welcome to my bindery!
This is Part 2 of my in-depth video series on making a medieval-style book - for more information see Part 1 here: • Making A Medieval Book... . This series has no speaking and a minimal amount of music for those who want to enjoy the peaceful simplicity of quiet hand-work. For those seeking insights into my materials and techniques, you can turn on subtitles to read my full commentary on the process as you watch!
In this installment I begin by trimming the book to size and rounding the spine. I first cut down the oversized endpapers and glue down the free decorative flyleaves to make what's called a 'stiff' leaf. Next I glue out the spine and trim the fore edge of the book using my bookbinder's plough. With the fore edge smooth I can round the spine of the book and then trim the head and tail. The spine of the book is not 'backed', meaning I don't form the type of shoulders seen on later bindings. Instead I line the spine with a piece of leather that is cut to fit around the sewing thongs.
The next major operation is to decorate the edges of the book. Like the marbled endpapers this is not an especially medieval feature, but I wanted to make this piece extra special, so the edges get an upgrade. I begin by scraping the fore edge to eliminate the stepped 'starts' created by rounding the thick signatures. The head and tail don't need this treatment as they are smooth from the plough. I then sprinkle the edges with acrylic paints and burnish them with beeswax.
Finally I weave head and tail bands onto the book using hemp cores and linen thread. I've tried to make this part of the video as clear and complete as possible so you can see all of the steps.
In the next video I will cut and shape the oak boards for the covers, attach them to text block, and apply the leather covering. If you enjoyed the film do consider subscribing so you won't miss future installments. Thanks for watching!
List of Materials
Glue: Mix of Acid-Free PVA and Methyl Cellulose, 3:2 ratio.
Spine Lining: Leather, unknown type, roughly 3 oz/ 1 mm
Paint: Golden Brand acrylic paints, yellow ochre and burnt sienna
Wax: Natural Beeswax
Cores: 2-ply hemp cord
Thread: Undyed Linen 25/3, unknown brand
Cores: 2-ply hemp cord
List of Tools
French Paring Knife (made in Sheffield)
Bone Folder (handmade in-house)
Scrap book board, various sizes/thickness
Pressing Boards (1/2" maple plywood, made in house)
Cast-Iron Book Press (Patrick Ritchie, Edinburgh, circa 1850)
Stainless Steel rulers, various sizes
Small Stanley Knife
Maple Laying Press (handmade in-house)
Laying Press & Plough
Curved Card Scraper
Pencil (Blackwing)
Lithography Stone (circa 1925)
Cotton Rag
Agate Burnisher
2" natural bristle brush, generic
Small synthetic brush
parchment release paper
blotting paper
Acetate barrier sheets, .01 gauge
Scissors
Bookbinding Needles
1/4 inch wire mesh
Scrap construction paper for flags
Selected list of Suppliers (Not affiliated)
Bookbinding Tools & Materials: George Hill & Co. - www.georgehill...
Paint: Wyndham Art Supplies - www.wyndhamart...
General Hand Tools: Lee Valley Tools - www.leevalley.com
Writing Materials: Wonder Pens - www.wonderpens.ca
Agate Burnisher: Vintage Paper Co. - vintagepaper.co/
________
You can now buy me a coffee here: www.buymeacoff...
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:
Instagram
/ four_keys_books
Facebook
/ fourkeysbookarts
All original works of art in this video are copyrighted exclusively by Four Keys Book Arts.
Music Credits:
'Yonder Hill And Dale' by Aaron Kenny - / @contactkennya
'A Song Without A Name' by Poor Inked Endings - Listen to and support Poor Inked Endings here: noisetrade.com...
Image Source Bibliography:
'Fig. 21: Mediæval Book-Binding', from 'Gately's World's Progress', Edited by C. E. Beale. Édition de luxe, Boston : Gately & Co, 1886, p. 283.
'Fig. 8: 'Travail de la Reliure', from 'Procédés de la gravure (Nouv. éd)', Lostalot, Alfred de, A Quantin, Paris, 1882. p. 26
#bookbinding #fourkeysbookarts #handmadebooks #medievalbook

[@Aelinnia]

Not only are your bookbinding skills incredible, the quality of the cinematography is stellar. You've no doubt done a thorough storyboard for the production because every shot follows the next to tell the complete story impeccably. Camera angles, shot selection, time lapse, lighting, editing, transitions, all excellent. The art, craft, technique, and technology come together to create a valuable teaching tool for the ages. You even include a list of tools, materials, and sources. Thank you for all your time and hard work to produce this educational and mesmerizingly beautiful series. (Now I'm off to PayPal to provide a more practical expression of my appreciation.)

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you so much! It’s lovely how you so eloquently acknowledged the unseen effort I put into my videos. The post production actually takes longer than the actual bookbinding, which in itself is already slowed dramatically by filming. I’m so glad that my efforts are appreciated! Cheers!

[@016632]

@Константин Луконин more like intergalaxialical!

[@uxb1112]

@@016632 and when was the last time that you read a book?

[@MeganVictoriaKearns]

@@FourKeysBookArts I am in awe of the sheer amount of time, effort and skill that you have put into both the books themselves AND these videos. The cinematography is stellar. It must take a long, long, long time to edit. Incredible work!

[@cluek9780]

Thank you for your generous gift of time -and your wondrous craft. Now WHO is going to write in that and makes it *better? (Makes a blank canvas look easy)

[@clydebalcom3679]

I knew bookbinding is a very meticulous process, but I couldn't imagine the sheer enjoyment of watching it.

[@thetomschaeffer]

100% ! Couldn’t agree more

[@mattjanzen2344]

This is probably the most beautiful, thorough, and informative series on bookbinding I've seen.

[@CL-we8tn]

Do yourself a huge favor and go back on his Playlist and watch the first book he videod. Master craftsman.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

So glad you enjoyed it! Your comment basically sums up my whole objective in making these videos, so thank you! :)

[@mattjanzen2344]

@@FourKeysBookArts I've only recently found your channel, and I'm starting to go through your back catalogue. I also realised you're not at all far from me! I'm downtown Toronto, and work less than a block from Wonder Pens.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Welcome then, and I'm a big fan of Wonder Pens! If I lived that close I would no doubt spend far too much money on fountain pens and inks.

[@CL-we8tn]

@@FourKeysBookArts stop it, I'm getting giddy, I can't talk about pens and books together.

[@BlueEyedColonizer]

This series really shows why book were treasured items. Love this. Thank you

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@theseconddarrin3788]

Now I know why they say only the rich could have books in those days. This is an insane amount of work to make one book.

[@booksandcrafts-l8m]

I've just started a bookbinding elective at my college. I'm absolutely in love with the craft, and these videos are making it even harder for me to focus on my other classes! I'm not at all complaining, your work is fantastic.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I'm glad you're enjoying them! Good luck with your course.

[@CascaydAzgard]

As someone whom is about to start the bookbinding journey I find these videos invaluable, thanks very much!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

"who". It is not the dative case here.

[@tinderbox218]

He's been so gentle and meticulous up to now that when he brought out the hammer and starting beating the crap out of it I nearly spit out my elderberry tea!

[@AvalonDreamz]

Had to comment before even finishing the video!😂 I love all the touches you are adding like the paint splatter and burnishing it on the outer edges of the pages! I didn't think I would like it at first and it ended up looking SO good! Just goes to show, the Master at his craft knows what he is doing!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Admittedly it can look a bit of a disaster in the process, but it turned out better than I had even hoped for! Thanks for watching!

[@matnaylor8939]

What a joy to watch this craftsman ,you can now understand why books were so expensive and treasured in times gone !

[@tylerkrug7719]

I love all the toolage you have. The presses, the vices all of them are so cool!

[@annagray6491]

Really enjoying watching a true craftsman at work! I wish my Dad was still alive, he would have been able to build all your fantastic equipment for me! He was a craftsman too. My Granddad was a watch repairer and Daddy used to make pieces of equipment for him from 2d black and white pictures. Guess creating runs in the family!

[@neoteraflare]

I have no idea why youtube suggested me this video, but I glad it did. It was a really relaxing and interesting half an hour. I will check the other videos too.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jamieturnbull3814]

Fantastic. I wont look at an older book the same! A greater appreciation is called for.

[@annieo9468]

That was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. Craftsmanship at its finest. Thank-you for sharing.

[@addisonkillam375]

Glad to see this beautiful skill/art is being practiced and preserved for future generations! A pleasure to watch.

[@TheSeptemberRose]

6:15 WOW! This is great for all us Visual learners (like me).....showing exactly what is going on! Cool!

[@167curly]

Such patience to detail in this craftsmanship.

[@bradleyleben7785]

Excellent work! I’ll never look at an old book the same way again.👍👍

[@Avinmor]

Art in the making. Simply beautiful. Only bad part of this video is that it ended.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you for saying so! I've already started on part 3.

[@tonywatson987]

I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this series; great camera work from different angles, detailed explanations of how you're doing each process, unashamed about showing your mistakes AND (more importantly) how you fix them. Love it! Subscribed and now bingeing!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you liked it! And yes, there are always mistakes - the trick is in figuring out how to fix them!

[@LeonorCrepaldi]

Incredible Art!!!❤❤❤

[@emanuelkrieg1755]

Now I know, why old books have a soul!

[@BrassMtn]

I had no idea how much time, precision, knowledge, and patience went into making a book! It is extremely elaborate and detailed. Amazing work sir!!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ABWordy]

This really shows why books were so expensive. And this doesn't even include transcribing/printing. WOW you are amazing! ❤

[@deldridg]

Thank you again - I'm finding this so incredibly calming and moving. Perhaps add in a little pining for those simpler days when folks more commonly shared passions like these. Your work is humbling in its beauty, your fingers are dextrous and your patience is enduring. Many of us have much to learn from you! Regards - Dave

[@scaneagle62]

You have got to be kidding me! I will never look at book the same way again. Outstanding!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

Absolutely deserves a million views. What a wonderful job. Oh my, I really don't need another passion to creep into my life.

[@danielecrema]

My God. I would never have the courage to write on a book like this. Just imagine the pressure 😱

[@MeganVictoriaKearns]

That's EXACTLY what my first reaction was! My God, if I messed up and ended up wasting a single page I would be devastated!

[@TheSeptemberRose]

I KNOW! I was thinking the same thing! This level of work would have probably only gone into religious texts in the old days.

[@olafpas2053]

Always, with pleasure I watch how a great master works. It's beautiful

[@ivonekowalczyk5823]

I've watched other book making videos and others are not as masterful as you are ... even the supposed masters. Appreciative of your good work!

[@jtcustomknives]

I never realized how important the front concave section on a book was till I watched you scrape it. Can’t imagine turning the pages on a book where all the pages stuck out the same anoint.

[@mechsistah2395]

Now I know the reason for the different colors of twine - helps to keep track of the loops

[@Lady-Four]

What a privilege to get such an intimate view of an artisan at work. Thank you.

[@shulaney4639]

Simply amazing process! It's for sure 21st C junk journals are SO much easier to make but who wouldn't love to hold a book made with such care and craftsmanship?

[@susanwhite1450]

I absolutely love watching these videos. Thank you.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you like them!

[@ivonekowalczyk5823]

I love this channel! Thank you. I feel like a kid watching a grown up at work. Minimal to no voice works for me. I watch more intently to figure out what you do, though I enjoy your instructional ones too. Would you please make another medieval book????

[@Virst82]

love you work, thank you soooo much for sharing!!! its gold!!!! your the man!!! God Bless brother 🙏❤🙏

[@Y0uKnowMyName]

Yeah, I could never make anything like this. I would run out of patience and it would lead to shoddy craftsmanship. Your craft is fascinating work.

[@wlfwlker3704]

Totally IMPRESSED with your work. just discovered your channel, and subscribed. Keep up the Fascinating work. 01-2023

[@jodubuisson4275]

What a beautiful video! I’m so happy to have found you. Thank you so much for posting.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

You are so welcome!

[@taisedourado6267]

I love your videos. Everything is made by a lot of care which is inspiring and demonstrates how much engaged and respectful you are with the materials, with your labour and the people who are watching you. Thank you for your content!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you so much 😊

[@villain1409]

A very quiet & peaceful Profession,i can only imagine the joy you get out of it. I do not read bo0ks, but found myself watching both uploads. I love watching creations & found this a very nice watch thank you very much.

[@CMTHFAF]

I don’t have words to describe these amazing videos.

[@58orchards]

I am in awe of your skill and patients such amazing work. Thank you.

[@carolynallisee2463]

Books are such a ubiquitous piece of technology that they've become almost invisible. Yet in Tudor times, books were presented to high ranking people as gifts. This was covered in one of those BBC historical farming series, and whilst it went somewhat into the making of the book being given as a gift, it only brushed the surface of the book binding craft. Watching these videos, I now appreciate how much time and painstaking effort must have gone into making those books.. Giving someone a book wasn't about giving them something to read, it was about giving them something that had taken hours of labour, care and attention to detail, just to make the blank book. That the finished but blank book was then sent onto someone to scribe and illuminate ( this was before the invention of printing presses) would have made such objects almost priceless, and to own one would have been amazing. Makes our modern paperback Mills and Boone's novels, printed on toilet tissue thin paper, look like the trash the actually are!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

It's very true that the industrial revolution had a negative impact on the quality and durability of books. Thank you for your thoughtful comment!

[@essolitaire]

I respect your personality, you have to be really calm and passionate to do that, you got my respect man

[@m.c.4565]

Wow that takes forever! can’t imagine how hard those people work in medieval time, the work is beautifully handcrafted in details meticulously in highest quality very way sturdier than we make nowadays, nowadays we make disposables

[@deborahbarlow4309]

I just read the description to you channel and my admiration has grown. I am a self-/KZbin-taught bookbinder. I've only been doing it for about 7-8ish months and it is difficult, but SO rewarding, I'm enjoying it immensely. I am a little jealous of some of your tools, but it's all good, I'll figure it out the broke way.

[@sharxbyte]

this was both meditative and educational to watch.

[@sunastirkcreates]

What an amazing craft we share! Such beautiful work you have done here.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Bloodknok]

The finest, most absorbing video I have watched in a long time. What skills, and what production! Bravo!

[@printmaker_mu]

Excellent! I cannot get out of the video.

[@gabriellejohnson1589]

This was fascinating and so lovingly done….I will never look at a book the same way again! Thank you for sharing this beautiful process of creating a piece of art!

[@tylerkrug7719]

That's some nice card scraping you were doing. Nicely honed edges on all your tools

[@VinWhiteartistry]

Relaxing to watch. Wish I could learn bookbinding. Great art skill to have.

[@artesanadeliniers8155]

muchas gracias compañero! mil horas intentando descubrir como se hace la cabezada, son muy claros tus videos, mil gracias!

[@rwv3n]

wow the edge decoration is gorgeous!

[@фаяфаина-и1б]

Благодарю Вас что делитесь своим творчеством и опытом. Очень интересно и красиво. Благодарю за Ваш труд.

[@P-47D_theJug]

I could be mesmerized for hours watching this incredible work and great cinematography. Love the fact that there is no commentary. I live old world craftsmanship. Wish thing where slower. But the bygone age had plenty of its own hardships too I’d imagine

[@fuchsfarben]

The music coming to an end just as you snip off the last two threads was so good! I love your editing :)

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Oh thank you! I'm glad someone noticed.

[@jamespeters5913]

I already added love to the comments about your skills...let me add more praise!...as been said here, your video making skills are Documentary movie quality!! Big one here!! Like to see more in the future!! Big thanks for all the efforts!!

[@HereForTheMusic-h5o]

What a pleasure to watch you work! Thanks for sharing

[@AvalonDreamz]

It is so satisfying to watch someone with these skills still doing this today, and not only that, but taking the time out to share with us this process that is very old indeed! Thank You, your work is absolutely amazing to witness.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@valterleao2798]

Eu confesso que fiquei sem palavras…, como o amigo é dotado de um talento esplêndido, um verdadeiro Mestre na arte! Abraço aqui do Brasil 🇧🇷

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you!

[@amandaowen5617]

Absolute work of art.

[@drevil4454]

This guy could be a master fly maker.

[@Modellbautechnik]

Ich kann nur meine tiefe Bewunderung für Ihre unglaubliche Handarbeit aussprechen! Die Videos sind absolut genial in technischer und didaktischer Qualität produziert. Mir gefällt besonders mit welcher Ruhe und Geduld Sie zu Werke gehen, jeder Arbeitsschritt ist nachvollziehbar und mit unglaublicher Hingabe ausgeführt. Ihre Werkstatt ist schlicht und funktional eingerichtet, doch am besten finde ich die Ruhe! Kein nerviges Telefon klingelt, der Fokus liegt auf der Arbeit. Es gelingt Ihnen den Zuschauer in eine andere Welt zu entführen und das im besten Sinne des Wortes! Vielen lieben Dank für die Veröffentlichung der Videos. Ich wünsche Ihnen weiterhin viel Freude bei Ihrem Kunsthandwerk und natürlich Gesundheit! Mit größtem Respekt J. Seinige

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I have often turned to books as an escape, so I'm glad that my videos on making one have been able to transport you for a while! Thank you so much for your lovely comment.

[@bluebukkitdev8069]

I watched this entire project through to the end and am watching it again. I loved every single part of it, except for when you stained the pages. I will say though, you did an excellent job with that as well, whether I liked it or not! I am now obsessed with restoring old books and will be referencing this project frequently.

[@moonbubbles3046]

The Ebru paper you chose is so beautiful and the process is a joy to watch.

[@meastwood5966]

Carefully, methodically, beautifully, wonderful.

[@custerranch]

Absolutely beautiful project! The elegant simplicity, the tools, the techniques, the materials, the pace, the lighting, the craftsmanship, and your generosity in sharing these skills of your trade! And I think it's safe to say we'd all like a turn playing with the page cutter! I'm also pleasantly surprised to see you using a kiridashi to skive!

[@louisea966]

so wonderful to watch and interesting to learn about. thank you

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@IOLE.]

Thank you again for sharing your wonderful skill and knowledge

[@reagansparrot]

Beautiful craftmanship

[@labla8940]

I am not usually a music in the background sorta fella, but that medieval melody was hypnotic. And production value was off the charts for KZbin: Kubricksque . Ill never look at an old book the same, the spine ridging was an AhhhHaa moment for me.

[@patytrico]

Fascinante! Gracias por compartir este proceso!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

You are most welcome!

[@usermoyo2290]

Wow!!! This video is incredible!!! So much effort and time in it!!! Thank you very much for sharing! For all your work! This is really amazing ! Can’t wait to see next part! 😍😍😍

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Glad you enjoyed it! I'm working on Part 3 right now :)

[@judithhope8970]

I've watched both videos now and am amazed and your skill and patience. It is a wonderful craft and you do it beautifully.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@konnie9325]

Absolutely stunning workmanship!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you very much!

[@kirawilliams7567]

I'd love one of these books so cool

[@فرهادمقامی]

بسیار بسیار سپاسگزارم استاد گرامی ـ پاینده باشید .

[@hjisagirl]

Seeing the time and precise work that went into creating this beautiful,book, I can’t image guessing what it will be used as. Maybe a very precious journal?

[@karnake9862]

hello i am a bookbinding student in Belgium and i find you work very instructive. Thanks for your videos and keep going on.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

I'm glad they've been helpful! More to come...

[@sebastianprzybya5966]

I'm not a huge fan of PVA on historic style bindings, but I love Your cutting press, very clever design- perfect for small workshops

[@FourKeysBookArts]

A valid point, though it was never my intention to make a period reproduction. And I absolutely love my little press and plough, it's ideal for my little bindery. Thanks for watching!

[@mohammadrezakoochekiansabo7214]

I love your artistic and beautiful Work .

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Thank you!

[@ianmedium]

This is wonderful, I have subscribed. Back in the seventies and eighties when I was a child and young adult the BBC used to broadcast a fascinating Irish RTÉ series called Hands. It showed many old crafts and skills. One program was called, “ A Dublin Bookbinder and showcased a small traditional bookbinding firm that still used these old skills. If you have not seen it I highly recommend it. It can be found here on KZbin along with all the other episodes!

[@jamesnielsen347]

Excellent Craftsmanship!

[@MASI_forging]

Outstanding workmanship. 👍👍

[@christinewilde110]

Cannot believe the skill and patience you have. (Unwind any thread from the hidden end inside the shank/ball. It stops its from getting tangled) but what do I know. 😉😘

[@samhillers1]

genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains

[@RoyBlumenthal]

Mindboggling. Thanks for sharing this. What exquisite work!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

Many thanks!

[@valeriacolivoro25]

I look forward to it... how good!!! Thank you for sharing such beautiful things.

[@jtcustomknives]

I would imagine this is why scrolls where the most popular way to store text. And why books where do highly prized and valuable.

[@TheFleurs01]

I’m a new subscriber and I’m enjoying your videos so much. You have so many skills and beautiful tools. When you spatter painted and burnished the page edges, the results were so lovely I almost cried!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

"I will not say 'Do not weep', for not all tears are an evil." - Gandalf

[@jthepickle7]

Good needles make the work a joy. These are the needles I use for shoe making.

[@FourKeysBookArts]

So true!

[@cerodes]

Toda una obra de arte!!! Absolutamente increíble!! Muchas gracias por compartir 😊

[@RthruS]

Just wow that is very very nice work

[@TheDuduRocha]

Thanks!

[@FourKeysBookArts]

My pleasure, thank you very much!😄

[@ggfdfggfdvffggsdgt7649]

Отличная работа. Вы очень хороший мастер. Вам здоровья и благополучия в Вашей интересной работе.