People practising paper-folding (origami, bookcrafts) will develop their own techniques for paper folding. The final crease must be exactly placed, according to need and criticality of the user.
Those shipping papers ~ or cloth ~ may fold the paper more gently so that it arrives in such a way that it can return to a flat state.
There is a wide distinction between those terms ~ and suitable vocabulary ~ soft fold ~ Hard crease ~ to enlighten or confuse [123858].
Bending and folding ~ for soft materials such as paper and cloth ~ is usually done with the fingers. Little further comment is needed ~ but do send me a note if you wish to know more .
Creasing requires something harder. That statement needs amplification ~ I have compiled a list of some possible things ~
Lighter materials ~ such as office papers ~ can be folded and then creased with fingers. Note the two stages of the process ~ always good advice in craftwork to take it slowly and in separate stages if you are able. Delicate hands or weak muscles will find it hard work ~ use something to help. Hard finger nails can be used to finish off ~ if you, they, can take it. I find a thumbnail is always readily available for one or two small jobs ~ but I normally carry something in my pocket for repetitive work.
Knives ~ forks ~ spoons ~ all make fine creasers. I use the word kitchen to spare the more beautiful cutlery from the dining suite ~ such instruments are carefully made for eating duties. A good craftsman uses the right tool for the job ~ move on down the page please! The silver, or silver plate, of the best tableware may not stand the wear of creasing. Neither will the bone handles. A stainless steel kitchen knife is best, especially if it has s straight and well worn blunt blade. There are possible problems with curvey items such as spoons and forks . Certainly avoid anything other than metals ~ plastic will suffer badly .
Best not to use these ~ certainly do not buy them, even though they are cheaper they are rarely a good investment. Teflon ~ see below ~ is an exception to this advice.Depending on your ability to find true bargains there are ~ nowadays ~ cheaper and better materials.
Several people used these at college when I first studied bookbinding. They were the cheapest and most readily available ~ and suitable ~ items. They were invariably hardwoods ~ at that time it was possible to obtain and use (proper) Rosewood (it is now illegal) and ebony. As students we happily used offcuts of recently imported tropical hardwoods ~ with exotic names ~ from the woodwork shop. I still have a wooden folder somewhere ~ I think it was a Dryad item (but I do not see it in their catalogue at present). There are better products ~ read on ~
It is now fairly safe to say this is the usual ~ ubiquitous ~ omnipresent ~ item on every papercrafter's worktop. Apparerently the thighbone of cattle is the hardest bone in the animal. I imagine that with the the help of a bandsaw one such bone can produce a good many folders. They are tough and long lasting ~ and yet can be shaped to taste with woodworking rasps and files. Bonefolders can also be re-sharpened and cleaned with glasspaper. Do not breath the dust ~ always a bad thing to do ~ and if you use rougher grades of glasspaper then work through to the finest othewrise the tiny grooves will pick up dirt ~ and deposit it later in places where it is not wanted.
Bone folders come in several popular shapes. I have never understood the curvey S-shape that is often advertised. I do not see the use for it but readily admit ignorance ~ your advice is awaited.
For years my favourite is the one I made from the tine of a stainless garden hand fork. Quite how I broke it off ~ by poor use ~ I cannot remember. It has survived several mislayments and launderings and is currently lost. I have document some uses ~ and misuses ~ of it elsewhere. Happy memories...I have not seen it around for several months. I am not sure under which pile of clutter it is hiding.
This recent innovation is rather lovely. I have been using one for several months ~ with no complaint. Currently my favourite is a broken one ~ there are notes on this elsewhere .