We find a great variety of bone folders when we go buying a new one. to choose from, there is a great variety of different sizes, shapes, colours, materials... And, can we really tell the difference between all these different models? Do we know how to distinguish them?
A bone folder is a basic tool, not missing in any scrapbook collection and one is always at hand. One, or more. The bone folder is such an important tool for any scraper that it's normal to have more than one in our scrap room. Did you know that the first bone folder that we know of comes from the Teotihuacan region? The origin of this word seems to go back to the classic pre-Hispanic Mexican period (i.e. before 1519), that important are our folders! Of course, due to their long history, folders have undergone great changes and even today, we can find different types on the market.
As an excuse to celebrate the latest addition to the Craftelier Basics family, our Teflon Bone Folder, we wanted to make a post explaining the differences between the bone folders we are able to come across on the market.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of styles on the market, so we'll always find one that suits our tastes and needs. Which is your favourite folding? If someone asks us, we'll have to say that it's our new teflon bone folder... Though we are not very impartial ? As always, we'll read you in the comments.
@southfloridaartconservation / @dryadbound
Bone Folder Applications
Fold
Okay, this one's a little obvious, but it's just in case there's a clueless person in the room, here it is. Needless to say, this tool is designed to achieve fine, professional folds without unwanted wrinkles or bubbles.
Marking
This small action can help us enormously when making a bend. With the help of a cutting base with grooves or a folding base, use the sharpest part of your bone folder and make a mark in the right place.
Bending
If you want to make a binding with a rounded spine, you can use your bone folder to easily form this curve. For all these reasons, we always recommend that you make your bindings with a good bone folder. And here is where the question arises, which is a good bone folder? With so many on the market, with so many to choose from, which one should I choose?The different types of bone folders
Plastic bone folder
The plastic bone folder is one of the most popular due to its low cost. Besides, it's very easy to clean and treats paper very thinly and cleanly.It's very light, which makes it a very handy tool. Although the material it is made of, plastic, lowers its cost and makes it very accessible, it also makes it less durable than folders made from other materials.
Bone folder
Bone is believed to be the material from which the first bone folder was made, in fact, that is why they are called this way. Bone is one of the best materials for folding because it's resistant and has a polished surface, without pores. Also,if we're binding our covers with leather, it can help us polish the surface. These folders are made of different bones yet the most common ones are elk and deer, however many brands nowadays choose a vegan option. By applying different treatments to plastic, they obtain texture and material very similar to that of bone. Bone folders are one of the favourites of many professional bookbinders because they are of high quality and very easy to handle. Although it's a pretty resistant material, you have to be careful because a fall could cause it to break.
Teflon folding machine
Teflon Bone Folder are probably the best type of folders. They have been gaining many followers in recent years due to a peculiarity that we can't find in any other type of bone folder, it doesn't leave any shiny marks. No matter how many times we run it through the paper or how much we stick it, if we use the teflon bone folder, there won't be any unpleasant marks on the paper. Teflon bone folders are non-stick and are very easy to clean. The teflon makes the folder very smooth and resistant to damage. If we take good care of it, it can last for years and years.
As you can see, there is a wide variety of styles on the market, so we'll always find one that suits our tastes and needs. Which is your favourite folding? If someone asks us, we'll have to say that it's our new teflon bone folder... Though we are not very impartial ? As always, we'll read you in the comments.
