Hand bound A6 Journal or No...
JRG Bookbinding£34.99
Hello, my name is Jake; I'm a bookbinder based in Manchester.
I started bookbinding when I became frustrated trying to find notebooks and journals that were both fountain pen friendly, and which I enjoyed using. I'm particularly fond of books bound in the traditional Victorian and Edwardian styles, and I appreciate when the design and materials of an object are authentic, rather than an imitation; for instance when an industrially produced book uses fully paper printed covers, with false buckram (book cloth) corners and spine. I felt compelled to start making my own notebooks, initially for myself, but eventually for family and friends too. I've always enjoyed doing things with my hands, and making these books available to you was the logical next step.
I primarily focus on making notebooks and journals, though sketchbooks can be made upon request if none are available in my shop.
Most are made with a combination of buckram (book cloth) and decorative papers, as this provides balance between durability, aesthetic pleasure, and cost.
The majority of the decorative papers I use are marbled in-house by either my partner Skye, or myself (under her supervision), making every book unique.
The biggest deviation from an absolutely traditional construction is my use of library buckram over traditional cotton buckram. The coating helps repel water, lessening the chance of water damage and making cleaning easier (if you're spill-prone like me), as well as making the cloth substantially more resistant to wear and tear. Inside is heavy-weight paper which is always comfortable to use with a fountain pen. You can feel the quality when using them.
When I'm not making books, I can be found out exploring the countryside, taking photos of anything that looks interesting; once home, developing the film myself. I'm also a keen chess player. While I'm making books, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts.
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