I came from a background of archaeology, and there’s a saying that an archaeologist creates their own tool-kit, borrowing tools designed for other fields. Conservation and Preservation tools are essentially the same. As the trade is still developing, there are so few tools designed for our work specifically that we often amass a hodgepodge of things in our kit. Those tools that are designed for our work are often highly specialized (and pricey) so labs and studios weigh the options heavily before making any purchases.
Here, in no particular order, I’ve detailed a few of the more unexpected or unusual tools found on our workbenches here in Studio 216.
- Duct-tape covered bricks
Starting with a DIYer’s dream, these duct-tape covered bricks are a trick I learned from a co-worker at a previous job. Their hydrophobic and smooth surfaces plus their inherent weight make them into ideal tools! Whether its a prop to hold up a heavy object, a weight for flattening, or used as a portable press, these things are super versatile and cheap to make! - Bone Folder
I might be cheating with this one, because most people in the book arts and conservation know about bone folders, but I still find them to be fascinating. Crafted out of actual bone, these handheld tools come in a multitude of shapes and sizes to help create deep creases or score surfaces in paper. They have such a natural weight and smooth texture in your hand that they are very comfortable to handle and manipulate. - Dental tools
These can be some of the most useful tools on the workbench. The flat scraper can be used for removing dried adhesive from a surface, while the curved hooks can reach into the gutters of a book to retrieve a lost thread or clear away dirt and debris. Made of stainless steel, they’re easy to clean and handy to carry for mobile projects - Chopstick rests
Ours are not just useful, they’re purrfect. 🙂 Designed to hold the ends of chopsticks off the surface of the table, these do the same for our messy brushes filled with adhesive, wheat starch paste, or pigment. They keep our workstations tidy and aesthetically pleasant. - Knitting Needles
A stash of varying length and thickness knitting needles should never be too far. These are some of the more commonly reached for tools. They make great depositors of PVA (archival bookbinder glue) into the hinges of broken spines. It’s a tool that enables us to take a shortcut in extending the life of a book instead of having to totally disassemble the book. - Facial Atomizer/Mister
This is a new tool to our arsenal, after a recommendation by another book conservator. Made to release a fine mist into the air to hydrate your face, it also works well for creating a moisture-rich environment for humidifying and flattening paper without introducing too much to the surface at a time. It is a very specialized tool and only used in controlled situations. - Syringes
When we bought these, there were a bunch of funny looks around the office. “What would you need a syringe for?” they would ask. For a number of things actually, but the easiest answer is dealing with adhesive! I use the smaller size with the curved needle to get into the layers of paperboard that make up the covers to consolidate them and keep them from splitting. I use the larger size with the wide opening for measuring my water for wheat starch paste. There are a few more sizes of syringes for even more detailed and microscopic work that would be beneficial but we don’t have those yet - Tension Tweezers
These may be one of my favorite tools of all. The large tweezers aren’t delicate by any means, but they’re special talent lies in the tension clip in the center of the handle. The clip is adjustable, making it easy to hold onto both thick and thin materials without exerting pressure with your thumb and forefinger. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used these from assisting with an exhibition installation to our routine repair work. I will be sad if I ever break these. knock on wood - Saddle Stitch Stapler
All staplers are basically the same right? Wrong. This one confused me so much when I first started working, who knew you could get a stapler with an arm over 12” long! However, this oddly-shaped contraption is very handy and no other tool does quite what it can. Even though the printing of periodicals is slowing as many publishers transition to online subscriptions, many of our printed periodicals still need attention. Due to their ephemeral nature, sometimes a staple comes undone or loose, causing the pages to separate. This stapler does the trick! A simple solution but the best solution. - Microfilm Splicer
This tool really only suits one purpose, but its a wonderfully useful purpose. When dealing with either damaged or disjointed microfilm, it can created clean splits but also holds the two clean sides in place to create a new join. I was thrilled when I found this tool in a storage room. It still one the most satisfying tools even if it only suits one need.
There we are: 10 unexpected or unusual tools on our preservation workbench! As more complex and exciting projects come our way, I’m sure our tool-kit will expand to include a lot more. I hope that this list showcases a bit of the work we do and the integral tools required to do the work. Maybe it will spur you to think about the tools in your workspace and how to see them in a different light.