That week I tried using a bone folder made from antler instead of plastic

Swapped out my cheap plastic bone folder for a hand-carved antler one a buddy brought back from Alaska and after three days of creasing signatures I realized it actually leaves less pressure marks on thin paper but now I'm worried about snapping it in half during a tight spine fold has anyone else tried natural materials for pressing tools?

3 comments

3 Comments

nancy_king2917h ago

Oh wow my friend snapped an antler folder on the FIRST signature!

the_robin16h ago

Guess they don't make em like they used to.

gracethomas16h ago

Bought myself a decent antler folder off etsy last year and honestly I've had zero issues with snapping even on tight spines, @nancy_king29 that friend must have gotten a bad one or maybe tried to force it too hard lol. I use mine for everything now like creasing folios, smoothing out glued spines, even burnishing leather on the occasional cover job and it just gets smoother with use. The key is to not crank down on it like you would with plastic just let the natural weight do the work. Also I found that rubbing a little beeswax on the tip really helps it glide on thin paper without tearing.