Finishing Tool Making: A Practical Approach

Course location Zurich

In hand bookbinding, the primary way to finish, or decorate, a covered binding is to build up patterns and designs with individual decorative stamps, called finishing tools. Students in this workshop will learn the skills needed to fashion their own custom finishing tools.
Beginning with brass stock, students will use a variety of metalworking techniques to create an array of stamps to suit their own aesthetics and needs. They will also learn to fashion their own wooden handles. Though primarily used on leather bindings, these tools can be used on cloth, paper, and even wood. The class emphasizes developing tool designs that can be repeated in interesting ways to build up a variety of patterns.
Finishing tools are expensive and difficult to find, so being able to make one’s own is an asset to any binder. In addition to potential savings, there is the added advantage of having a unique and personal catalog of tools. There’s no better way to get to know your tools than to make them!
Be prepared for a lot of hand filing of metal.