Sharpening and Cutting for Bookbinders:

Paring knives, scissors, x-acto knives, ploughs; we all use them but many of us don’t know where to even begin when it comes time to sharpen these crucial tools.  In this workshop we will learn briefly about the science of cutting and cutting tools, and use that knowledge to get our blades back into good working order, and even how to make our own cutting tools.  We will learn to bring a dull pair of scissors back from the dead.  We will turbocharge our X-acto blades. We will transform an ordinary table knife into the sharpest tool in the bindery.  And finally we will take a mass market leather paring knife and turn it into a finely tuned slicing machine.

Students will receive their own set of diamond sharpening plates, a strop, and leave with a pair of scissors, a flat knife, and an english style leather paring knife.

Level: This workshop is appropriate for adult students at all levels.
Dates & Times: Saturday, May 9th, 10am-4pm
Max. no of students: 6
Instructor: Cooper McBean
Cost: $150 tuition + $75 materials

Members receive a 10% discount off the cost of the workshop, among other benefits.
Click here to join as a Member, then choose the Member Rate below.

Completion of this class will qualify you to use the studios for your own projects.
Details on Open Studio may be found here.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR
I’m Cooper McBean, a musician, artist, handyman, toolmaker, and bookbinder living in Austin, TX.  I’m largely self-taught using scavenged materials and homemade tools, but have been enjoying to fill in the gaps in my bookbinding education since discovering ABAC.  I’ve been making books for around 30 years, and especially enjoy making tiny books from scraps and trash.