Bookbinding without a board shear

I think I'd like to make a journal / blank book for a friend, but I don't have access to a board shear, which limits me in terms of the type of binding I can use. Do you have any recommendations for a type of binding that would work for a substantial text block (say ~50 pages), but wouldn't require a board shear? Alternately, I suppose I could order a kit from somewhere like Hollander's and customize it to my own needs.

I don't have a board shear, either, so I use a good utility knife to cut my book board. Be sure you have a fresh blade, though!

Wow! I've heard of people doing that, but it seems like you'd go through blades rather quickly. Do you? And how do you keep the edges square?

One of the copy shop chains in my area, Copy Central, has a huge paper-cutter (ream at a time huge), which they will operate for you, for a small fee. I am pretty sure it would handle board. Maybe you can find something similar near you.

> 3

Fairly quickly, but of course it all depends how much I'm doing. It's not as difficult as you might think to keep the edges square; using a right-angled ruler as a guide helps.

>3 Katya0133: As lilithcat said, it goes quickly using a square as a guide. It will take several passes, though and the board edge should be softened with a few passes of a fine grit emery paper. This is what I do, as I, too, do not have a shear.

Yet another who uses a utility knife and square.