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I was wrong about using PVA glue for headbands
For years I thought a strong PVA like Lineco Neutral pH was the only way to go, thinking it would hold forever. Then I tried a traditional animal glue on a set of six leather journals last month, following a tutorial from a binder in Edinburgh. The flexibility is just better, the spine moves more naturally, and the set-up time gave me more control to position everything perfectly. I'm switching for any project where I want that classic feel. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a difference in how the book opens?
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charles_baker2818d ago
Oh man, same exact thing here. I used Titebond for ages because everyone said it was the best. Then I got this old manual from the 70s that talked about hide glue, gave it a shot on a rebind of a poetry book. The difference in how the pages lie flat is crazy, it just feels more alive in your hands. That short open time scared me at first but now I love it, lets you fix things before it sets hard. I won't go back for my personal projects.
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hall.jenny18d ago
Totally get that. My first try with hide glue was a comedy of errors. I was so nervous about the clock ticking I glued my fingers to the book cloth more than once. Ended up with a weird lumpy spine that looked like it had a goiter. Took me three messed up projects to learn you really do need everything ready to go and warm.
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