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Preparing the Binding
I placed the previously sized leather on a smooth marble tile with the flesh
side up. Then with a silver pencil I marked the size of the entire book. With a
Swiss paring knife - sharpened using Flitz metal sharpening paste, a small
cloth, fine Crocus, and Emery cloth for finish - I scythed the leather,
also known as paring down. This thins the leather.
I pared down about two
inches, which would be wrapped around the boards and covered by the endpapers.
Since I did not have knowing access to a paring machine, I gratefully learned to
scythe by hand trying to keep the knife at a 45°angle.
I admit that it was frustrating at first, and I would work for a few hours and put it down after several small tears, which I repaired with the slightest amounts of PVA glue and a small-headed brush. It was easy to recall the day that I found control in hand scything - I superstitiously knocked on wood.
Before the scything was complete, I added another piece of Davey Board to the existing ones. This way the thickness of the spine, due to the necessity of guarding every page, found compensation. Both pieces of new board were cut to size and beveled with sandpaper at the edge that would hug the endpapers. This way when the book is opened the board will not harm the paper with a harsh angle.
After beveling, I brushed PVA to the beveled boards and attached them to
the front and back cover, covering the frayed cords. I then put the book in a
book press to dry overnight with firm pressure.
