Objects of Use Ltd

Bone Folder

Use & Maintenance

A bone folder is a dull-edged hand tool used to score, fold, crease, and smooth paper, cardstock, and bookbinding materials. Bone folders have traditionally been used in bookbinding, book repair, stationery crafts and leatherwork to create crisp folds and score lines in paper, press down and burnish glued surfaces, and emboss or shape soft materials like dampened paper and leather. Its flat long-side can be used to smooth and press folds or adhered surfaces together while preventing any trapped air pockets. Specifically on materials like softened leather, it can be used as a shaping tool to mould or press detailed work that can be set in place once those materials dry.

To use a bone folder, on paper, card stock, softened leather, or fabric, start by scoring. Align a ruler on your material over a soft mat. Run the edge of the folder gently along the ruler’s edge to indent a straight line without cutting through. Fold the paper along your scored line (usually toward the raised "bump" side for a smoother finish). Next, lay the folded material down and apply gentle, even pressure along the fold with the flat side of the folder to create a crisp, professional edge. Avoid pressing too hard to prevent leaving shiny burnish marks.

The bone folder can also be used for other craft purposes, including transferring details — use the smooth surface to burnish tape, smooth down glued book pages, or transfer rub-on stickers; roughing up edges — rub the long edge of the bone folder back and forth along paper or cardstock edges to create a rugged, textured, or vintage look; or good old-fashioned paper-curling — draw the tool edge along one side of paper strips to gently curl them.

Further Information

Made in England

Our bone folder is produced by Abbey Horn in Cumbria, who source the material for their bone products naturally and sustainably from the by-products of the Chinese meat and Scottish red deer farming industries.

Cleaning

To clean a bone folder, hand wash using a gentle soap detergent and warm water. Air dry thoroughly.