Rant: I spent 5 years using the wrong glue on leather covers

I always reached for PVA glue for everything, including leather hinges on my journals. Then last month at a workshop in Portland, a binder named Laura asked why my joints were cracking after 6 months. She showed me how PVA dries too stiff for leather movement. Switched to a flexible glue mix with 20% wheat paste and the difference is night and day. Anyone else had to unlearn a bad habit after years of doing it wrong?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessica13025d ago

omg that wheat paste trick is genius, I bet it makes the leather feel way more natural.

rubyk2625d ago

Actually wheat paste dries kinda stiff, not more natural. Gotta use neatsfoot oil instead.

milam4825d ago

Oh man, @jessica130 I totally get why you'd think that, but the wheat paste thing is a trap. I tried it on a belt once and it cracked after a few days, looked awful. Neatsfoot oil is the way to go, it actually soaks in and keeps leather flexible. Rub some in, let it sit overnight, and it feels way more natural without that stiff crust.