PVA vs paste, I flipped after one humidity test

For like 5 years I only used PVA for everything, spine lining, board attachment, all of it. Then I read a forum post from a conservator in Portland who tested both adhesives in 70% humidity for a month. The paste joints held flex way better, the PVA got stiff and actually pulled the board corners. I thought paste was just for old books or fussy restorers, not something I needed in my little home setup. Last week I redid a leather journal cover using wheat paste for the first time and the hinge movement feels completely different, smoother and more natural. Now I'm wondering, do you guys switch based on the project or stick to one adhesive for everything? Curious what a mixed approach looks like for those who do it. lmao

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skyler_fox7217d ago

The "got stiff and actually pulled the board corners" part is exactly what happened to me. I did a similar test with a cheap notebook and the PVA hinge felt like plastic after a few weeks, the paste one just moved right. I'm not throwing PVA away yet but I'm definitely using paste for anything I want to last.