Talked to a retired conservator about why she hates modern glue

She said PVA dries too fast and never lets you redo a joint, which got me thinking about all the bookcloth I've ruined over the years. Do you guys keep a stash of rabbit skin glue for certain projects, or is that just old school overkill at this point?

2 comments

2 Comments

white.alex29d ago

My uncle's been doing woodworking for like 40 years and he's got this whole drawer of little glue pots that look like ancient artifacts. The rabbit skin stuff sits in the back, only comes out maybe twice a year when something really matters. It's kind of like how everyone I know keeps a backup flip phone in their glovebox, just in case, even though we all have smartphones. We've gotten so used to things that set fast and lock you in that we forgot the value of being able to take your time and fix your mistakes. That's the real difference, not old school vs new school, it's giving yourself the chance to breathe before you commit.

blair_allen29d ago

Rabbit skin glue is a pain in the ass, but nothing else works when you need to reposition something. PVA locks you in before you even think straight. Old school isn't overkill, it's just a different tool for a different job. Keep a small jar around for the tricky stuff, you won't regret it.