If you’ve been in the bookbinding community for a while, you probably know the bookbinder–conservator Jeff Peachey, who makes paring knives. Or at least you know of him. Maybe you even bought some of his knives for yourself. But did you know that he makes other tools too?

Years ago, I bought a couple of spatula-like tools from Jeff’s online store. I’ve used them nearly every day since, and they’re definitely among my favourites. They’re not just for bookbinders! The first of these is the carbon fibre lifter. It’s made from a composite material – a woven carbon fibre textile embedded in a sheet of synthetic resin. The tool is almost as thin and flexible as a metal spatula, but a lot more gentle, with a satisfying springy feel.

The tasks it’s intended for are things like backing removals and delaminating; I had particular success using it to separate photographs that were blocked together. I also use it nearly every day to lift a recently repaired artefact from its polyester nonwoven support.

Jeff Peachey’s engraved signature is positioned very close to the working end of the tool. It was a bit scratchy at first, but quick enough to sand down. The material actually sands very easily. One time I managed to chip the working end – I don’t remember how – and I was able to file off the chip without incident. I also cut a piece off the other end so the spatula would fit into my toolbox, and I sanded the cut edges to smooth curves.

The second tool I bought is the one Jeff calls the Delrin hera (hera being the Japanese word for a spatula). It’s a cross between a microspatula and a bone folder, made from Delrin, a smooth slippery plastic reminiscent of Teflon. (It is not Teflon, however – its chemical structure is completely different.) 

This tool is a lifesaver for any number of delicate tasks, from gently unfolding creases to setting down repairs. In the intervening years, Jeff has developed a second version of this tool, even finer and more delicate than mine – I’m sorely tempted to get my hands on one of those as well…

I highly recommend checking out Jeff’s store if you haven’t already done so. He has numerous other tools for the use of book and paper people, and he always seems to be developing new ones!

All photographs by Katherine Potapova.