Bone Folders Vs. Teflon Vs. Cocobolo, Vs Etc.

[CustomDoug]

I've been needing to buy a "bone folder" of some sort for a while now. There's a few to choose from - bone, cocobolo, teflon, etc. Any real differences in them that I should consider before purchasing. Which types do you guys prefer and why? Should I plan on getting a variety of them for different uses.. like use this one for jobs involving glue, use this one for thinner more delicate leathers, for burnishing, etc? Good places to buy them? thanks.

Doug C

[DavidL]

I have a flat bone folder and another thats curved like a spoon, although not an extreme curve. The curved folder I use to sometimes to slick areas down like stitching or to compress the leather for glueing instead of using my hands although the "proper tool" is one of those smooth and wide pliers or a glass slicker. For glueing I seen one (plastic?) that has a flat angle edge with the same shape as a french paring knife - Search JNK leathers on youtube for an example.

[CustomDoug]

Thanks I can see where a curved one would be useful. Seems a plastic folder would be good where it might come in to contact w/ glue, a cocobolo one where burnishing is needed, and a teflon folder specifically where NO burnishing is desired. Is that about right? There are a few on this page that look interesting.. I'm considering the middle one second row: http://www.bonefolder.com/

Doug C

[rawcustom]

Not sure what responses you will get. i researched this quite a bit not long ago and came to the conclusion that there were no hard opinions on the matter. I was really expecting to find something about natural bone being superior or synthetic has some benefit, but at least nothing I read went anywhere near that. Seems like natural bone can pick up dyes and coloring and I would expect the same from wood alternatives. Hence, I've yet to purchase one and figure I'll just make my own from this year's elk leg bone. Although for the price point this tool doesn't make financial sense for me to make, it's just a stubbornness and wanting something with a little more meaning to myself.

I'll be interested to see the replies and see if I missed something as to why one material over another.

[robertmeco]

Here is a linc to what I use

http://www.basketsofjoy.com/bone-awl.aspx

[CustomDoug]

... i researched this quite a bit not long ago and came to the conclusion that there were no hard opinions on the matter. I was really expecting to find something about natural bone being superior or synthetic has some benefit, but at least nothing I read went anywhere near that. ...

Yea, I sort of thought that might be the case. I'm starting to think that a bone one would never be needed over a cocobolo one, as the CB ones probably kill two birds with one stone (as they are better at burnishing). Similarly with the plastic and teflon ones... it appears (according to the description) that adhesives do not stick to the teflon, so no need to purchase a plastic one.

robertmeco - thanks for the link, that folder is dirt cheap!.. just to be sure (because it has no actual description / and they are calling it an "awl"? ) is it indeed made of bone? You pretty happy with it?

Doug C

Edited December 12, 2014 by CustomDoug

[Oldtoolsniper]

I just saw up dog chew bones from the farm store on my bandsaw. Shape em with the 1 x 42 or 1 x 30 belt sander and go to town. If you want the white go to a beauty supply house and buy peroxide for hair, not the grocery store stuff, it needs to be for hair. Get the thick kind 40% peroxide sold by the gallon. It will turn the bones crispy white if that's what you need. A $2.00 bone will get me four folders in most cases. Shape em however you want. Look at the ends and make sure they are solid, some are porous and they don't work. Don't worry if they are filled with junk either feed it to the dog or toss it.

[MonicaJacobson]

I do the same thing. Though I usually ignore the ones filled with peanut butter.

[TwinOaks]

I made one out of cocobolo, sealed the wood, and carved a variable burnishing groove in the end. I burnish after dyeing because the burnish itself will effect how the leather absorbs the dye....but I've never had a problem with the wood picking any colors from the dye.

[CustomDoug]

Thanks for the suggestions.. not a bad idea - unfortunately I already have too many projects stacked up to think about crafting my own.

Doug C