PSA: That fancy Japanese paper I swore was a gimmick actually saved my 1850s bible rebind

I spent 20 bucks on a single sheet of Japanese kozo paper years ago and thought I got ripped off. It felt too thin and flimsy for any real repair work. Then this past February I had a client bring in a family bible from the 1850s with spine leather that was basically dust. I tried regular wheat paste and archival tissue on a test corner and it just crinkled. Out of desperation I grabbed that kozo sheet and used it with some methyl cellulose. The thing conformed to the rounded spine like it was made for it, no bubbles, no tears. I still think 20 bucks a sheet is crazy, but for delicate work I get it now. Has anyone else found a material they thought was overhyped that actually delivered?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_miles1mo ago

I remember being that mad over a ten dollar roll of bookbinding thread that ended up outlasting all my cheap stuff.

king.kevin1mo ago

Funny you mention thread, I heard a bookbinder say once that cheap thread is the single biggest mistake people make, and it made me rethink all my materials.