toolmaking

We already shared two parts of our talk with Dimitris Koutsipetsidis, a bookbinder from Athens (Greece). Earlier, we discussed the things that brought him to making books and then Dimitris showed us some of his bindings. This time Dimitris takes us for a tour of his studio and shows us some of the tools he makes. To buy some of these tools, check the links below!

Audio

Video

Listen to this episode on:

• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ibookbinding
• iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/ibookbinding-podcast/id1510257102
• Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaWJvb2tiaW5kaW5nLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Q

Become a patron (and get more content): https://www.patreon.com/ibookbinding

Join us on:

• Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/iBookBinding/
• Discord — https://discord.gg/TJY5FeS
• Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/iBookBinding/

Follow Dimitris:

• Blog: https://koutsipetsidis.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimitris_bookbinding_corner/
• Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBookbindersBench
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dimitrisbookbindingcorner/

Tools made by Dimitris:

• Blog Tool page: https://koutsipetsidis.wordpress.com/tools-for-bookbinding-εργαλεία-βιβλιοδεσίας
• Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBookbindersBench

00:00​ – Beginning
00:12​ – Workshop tour
00:43​ – The Tale of the Four Benches – Tolkien vibes
03:32​ – How the previous Dimitris’ workshops looked like?
07:09​ – Tour: Storage rack for supplies
07:50​ – Paring knives
08:13​ – The type holder and stylus set Dimitris makes and sells
08:54​ – Would Dimitris like to make all of his tools himself?
11:36​ – If you had all the time in the world, which tools would you make for yourself right now?
13:42​ – Paring knives, once again
15:29​ – Backing hammer
15:54​ – Tour: Cabinet with lead types
16:17​ – Still using the first press Dimitris made for his projects
18:35​ – Paper storage
19:11​ – Smart storage for thin leather strips
19:39​ – Post-It notes all over the place
22:30​ – Tour: Collection of marbled paper
28:21​ – Projects currently in work
31:26​ – More about Tolkien
35:44​ – Future project: Animal Farm
36:43​ – Dimitris’ approach to design bindings
39:19​ – Being a part of a tradition
43:24​ – Collaborating with your family and members of your creative community
46:52​ – Tour: Machining corner of the bindery
48:38​ – Wooden and metal dust created during the toolmaking process. Breathing safety
51:19​ – A bit more about the tools Dimitris makes and Stepan’s opinion on the tools
54:35​ – Tour: Drill bits stand
55:41​ – Finishing presses Dimitris made (not for sale, unfortunately)
57:37​ – Board shear with a fence Dimitris made to improve the accessibility
1:00:00​ – Are there plans to create any new tools?
1:02:03​ – Special tools’ projects
1:02:50​ – Animalcula
1:03:52​ – The importance of feedback and constant updating of the tools