My friend who runs a print shop said he'd rather I use a bone folder than any metal tool for scoring, which got me thinking about my whole process. | Bookbinders - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals
My friend who runs a print shop said he'd rather I use a bone folder than any metal tool for scoring, which got me thinking about my whole process.
He mentioned that the bone folder gives a more consistent, gentle crease on the paper grain (especially with the 120 gsm stock I use for covers) and now I'm wondering if I've been too rough with my scoring technique this whole time.
That 120 gsm cover stock is a good example. The bone folder works because it compresses the paper fibers along the grain instead of cutting them. A metal tool, especially if it's sharp, can actually weaken that fold line by severing those long fibers. It's not about being gentle, it's about working with the material's structure. Your friend is right that it gives a more durable fold for book covers.
Totally agree, it happens all the time. I spent way too long trying to fix a squeaky hinge with fancy lubricants before a buddy just told me to rub a bar of soap on it (sounds weird, I know). Worked perfectly in two seconds. Sometimes you just need the dumb, obvious thing that's been sitting there the whole time.