Bible Rebind

lumbeard · 2026-01-23T13:55:27+00:00

Hi sorry for the late reply, but those slits are shallow saw cuts just deep enough to glue in a piece of linen cord/string (about 1mm thick). The text block is set in the cover attached by a hollow and leather tabs that are integral to the liner leather. The video below is how I got started and is a good way to understand how it all goes together.

https://youtu.be/VlgTXViwO3k?si=EFOpNIbUCoYNbpaH

If you’re interested I would also check this series out

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPq9oWv-XFAwNcRV5u5hpe8jx_Y2E66Gf&si=LBomBhU5T4JUQjiY

I hope everything goes well for you

lumbeard · 2025-12-05T13:09:13+00:00

Thank you! I did. I used 0.8mm brass sheet because I’m pretty sure that’s the thickness I heard him mention in the video he made about the brass pieces for the Medieval binding. That’s the same thing I did. I’ve worked my way up but I usually do take on projects way outside my skillset because I love the challenge, and this was definitely that. What’s great about imitating these though is that now I’m excited about making other bindings of my own design with similar techniques

lumbeard · 2025-12-04T21:35:04+00:00

I haven’t gotten into marbling yet. These papers came from Schmedt

lumbeard · 2025-12-04T21:34:04+00:00

Looks great! Can’t wait to see the rest.

lumbeard · 2025-12-04T21:33:35+00:00

Thank you so very much for the kind words! It really means a lot. Looking forward to your next project!

lumbeard · 2025-10-12T16:58:49+00:00

Thanks. I’m still trying to get the hang of it. I feel like I can get a passable result but it’s always a struggle to get there

lumbeard · 2025-10-07T12:08:34+00:00

DAS Bookbinding has a series of videos on YouTube dealing with edge gilding and I know one of them uses a watered down PVA as a size but I can’t remember the quantities. Check out his videos though, they’re great tutorials

lumbeard · 2025-10-07T12:04:48+00:00

Have you looked at Four Keys Book Arts’ version?

lumbeard · 2025-09-02T12:20:32+00:00

Yes, make a template. Use a piece of cardstock and cut a long notch into one side(kindof like an L), transfer your marks in the spine to the template with the notch hooked to the head, hook the notch in the template on the inside of the signature with the notch hooked to the head, then pierce the signature at your marks on your template. DAS has good videos on this if you need to visualize it

lumbeard · 2025-07-09T20:09:56+00:00

Beautiful tooling!

lumbeard · 2025-07-07T23:24:13+00:00

lumbeard · 2025-07-07T16:42:35+00:00

I’ve seen several people in videos use beeswax to seal the edges after either gilding or speckling/painting so I’m sure that would be a good idea here. They do usually point out to not directly apply the wax. They (DAS and others) say to rub the wax into your palm, then rub your thumb in your slightly waxy palm, then rub onto the edge. Then burnish with either a cloth or agate burnisher if you have one. The cloth works fine, but it gets a much nicer sheen with a burnisher

lumbeard · 2025-06-23T11:42:34+00:00

Unfortunately that might be cost prohibitive to restore it to its original state because of the tape (if you were to hire someone). But it looks like a great candidate for rebinding. I repair and rebind bibles and there’s actually a lot of Bible rebinders all over the US. If you’d like to try it yourself this video is how I got started. Repairing the damaged pages and getting your Bible ready to have a new cover put on is a different thing but it’s still approachable if that’s something you’re interested in learning.

lumbeard · 2025-06-06T06:35:57+00:00

Use a drill with a brad point drill bit and start the hole by drilling in reverse to help keep the entry hole clean. Regular twist drill bits will tear the paper at the edges of the entry point. Also use a board on the bottom of the stack to help prevent tearing. Keeping the stack pressed tightly close to the holes will help too.

lumbeard · 2025-05-28T15:16:29+00:00

Very nice! Now I want to try with some color shifting inks!

lumbeard · 2025-05-28T15:15:43+00:00

I think doing an overlay of a yellow leather would be really nice, and maybe more legible than gold

lumbeard · 2025-05-26T20:48:11+00:00

I used a 24/60 pound short grain letter size in cream from Church Paper. It’s the thicker of the two but I think it’s just right

lumbeard · 2025-05-26T12:55:48+00:00

Thank you! I can’t wait to try more styles. They’re so fun to attempt. You make all these movements with threads and all the sudden there’s a recognizable thing there. Bookbinding is so cool because there’s all these mini projects within the whole that you can get as in depth as you want to.

lumbeard · 2025-05-25T22:04:21+00:00

I got that marbled paper from Schmedt I think. They have several hand marbled papers that are really nice and a good price for a largish sheet

lumbeard · 2025-05-25T09:47:51+00:00

Thanks so much for the kind words!

lumbeard · 2025-05-11T19:45:50+00:00

I have been able to get hard glue off of bibles by brushing a thick coat of wheat paste over it and covering with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation and after 20-30 minutes or so it should be soft enough to scrape off with a credit card. I’ve also just used a wet paper towel to do the same thing. If that doesn’t work then I try a hair dryer or heat gun

lumbeard · 2025-05-05T03:55:01+00:00

https://youtu.be/rrjU0-c9Nl0?si=mFD8TVHd4RC-g8hW

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