I learned that old book sewing frames are way better than the new ones

I picked up a beat up old sewing frame from a flea market in Portland last month for like $20. Cleaned it up and tried it on a rebind of a 1920s novel I was working on. The difference in how tight and even the sections came together was night and day compared to my modern plastic one from a kit. Has anyone else noticed older tools just feel more solid for certain steps?

2 comments

2 Comments

andrew6931mo ago

...and it's not just with bookbinding either, it's like that with a lot of old tools. I've got an old hand plane from my grandad, and that thing will shave wood smooth as glass while the new ones from the hardware store fight you the whole way. It's like they just put more care into making things back then, you know? The metal was heavier, the parts fit tighter, and they didn't cut corners to save a buck. Makes you wonder what other stuff we're missing out on by always buying the newest thing.

hall.emma1mo ago

Oh man, you're making me feel bad about my fancy new toaster that burns everything unless you baby it! I keep telling myself it's "vintage inspired" but really I think it's just made of dreams and disappointment (and burnt crumbs).