Which sort of folder to buy

Some general points to consider

If, as we anticipate, you are new to papercrafts you might welcome some advice. A good folder will last a lifetime, and need not be an expensive investment. These notes, as everything on this site, are personal observations, and arranged loosely in order of importance. I will be especially delighted to receive helpful comments, especially if I am not being as helpful as I intend.

Folders, of some sort, were probably in use from around the middle of the first millenium. The dates would most likely follow that of the popularity of codex binding. Archeologist have found numerous codex-bound books in China, dating from the Ming dynasty. Man has killed and eaten animals, and would likely find the their bones to be of use.

Do not buy a folder

As a starter in this area you may not need one. There are numerous 'things' about the house or workshop that will do the job. There are more notes on suitable 'things' here. (But not yet.) Use one of these, and wait until using your 'thing' is tedious, clumsy, or not quite what you want. Then browse back to here and use your experience to make a different choice. My leading illustration shows a wide range of possible folders. If you want to be a keen papercrafter, with all the right tools, remember that a good bone folder need not cost much money. This leads to the next comment....

Buy a good cheap one

This is advice is only sensible if we help with the explanation of good.

Avoid plastic (there is an exception to this at the end of this list). I have never met a plastic folder which does not show signs of wear and tear within minutes of use. Primarily because the friction generated by a rapid, heavy, fold, is hot enough to melt the plastic into a groove at the edge.

Be careful with wood. There are some woods which are hard enough for heavy use, but not many. They may also cope with the burning mentioned above. As might be expected ~ soft woods are easier to shape. Hard woods, as with bone, are difficult to work, and hence likely to be more costly. Wood can also gather dirt in the grain if it not sealed ~ which takes time and money.

Animal products

Whilst most bone folders are made of bovine material (cow thighs being preferred, I believe) other sources are often used ~ deer ~ buffalo ~ elk ~ bones ~ horns. All are fine to use. I read somewhere that some are a little softer, and that they do not wash well. I surmise that cow bones have been the preferred tool for centuries.

Decorated bone

Teflon

It seems that teflon is a plastic that does not show great inadequacies. I say 'it seems' because I do not have great experience. I have used mine, but have stuck with two old favourites for too long to feel the need for chage. Teflon is expensive, and varies between two to four times the price of the popular bone folders.

Steel folders

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