A workshop in Chicago made me stop using PVA glue for everything

The instructor showed us a 150-year-old ledger bound with animal glue, and its spine was still perfectly flexible. Now I only use synthetic adhesives for modern case bindings, not repairs. Anyone else think we over-rely on PVA?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_pat2mo ago

Guess we've been gluing it wrong for like a century then. Time to raid the butcher shop for my next bookbinding project.

lindahunt2mo ago

Right? I tried using hide glue on a repair last year and it was a total game changer. The stuff sets slower so you can actually adjust things, and it stays flexible. Where are you finding your supply?

kair6524d ago

Raiding the butcher shop" for bookbinding glue? Man, that's a whole other level of dedication. I just use whatever's in the cupboard and hope for the best, but you do you.