Pro tip: I switched from a basic bone folder to a Teflon one for my leather work

I was working on a full leather binding for a client's journal last week and kept getting faint, shiny marks on the dark leather from my regular bone folder. I tried everything, lighter pressure, different angles, but the marks were still there. On a whim, I picked up a Teflon bone folder from a local shop for about $18. The difference was immediate. The Teflon tool glides over the surface without any drag or shine, even when I'm really working a crease or smoothing a pasted joint. It doesn't pick up or transfer any adhesive either, which is a huge plus. I finished that journal without a single blemish on the cover. Has anyone else found a specific tool that solved a persistent finishing problem like this?

3 comments

3 Comments

lee_reed12d ago

Ever try a piece of wax paper under your regular folder? I had the same shine issue and that trick saved me for a while.

roberts9512d ago

Good call @lee_reed, that's a lifesaver.

sarah81811d ago

Actually wax paper can leave a weird residue over time. I learned the hard way. A plain sheet of printer paper works way better as a slip sheet. It doesn't stick and it's just the right thickness. You get the same protection without any mess.