BOOKBINDERS FINISHING TOOLS

CATALOGUE 2022
 Introduction
Within this catalogue we at Fine Cut have what is probably the most comprehensive range of finishing
tools and accessories anywhere in the world.

Working closely with John Mitchell - a distinguished Gold Finisher - we have compiled a unique
catalogue of designs, some of which date as far back as the sixteenth century. With John’s help we
have been able to determine which century, in his opinion, each tool is designated. This should help
the many binders wishing to follow the trends of finishing and design for a certain era.

We hope this catalogue will give you, the reader, as much pleasure in selecting and planning your
finishing tool designs as it gave us, the authors, producing it.

Here are just a few of the many kind comments received by us:

Bernard Middleton says:

“Because of the increasingly high value of fine books, especially antiquarian ones, there is increasing
pressure on binders and restorers, by collectors and dealers, for the early return of their treasures.

Restorers often need to have tools specially cut to a high standard of accuracy and, in turn, are
forced to ask for expedited delivery. I was in this position a few months ago when I was restoring an
historically important late eighteenth century binding.

I supplied fragments of the original gold tooling and Fine Cut supplied me with exactly matching tools
within a very short period, much to my satisfaction and relief.”
John Mitchell says:

“Over the last eight years I have watched the progress of Fine Cut as Finishing Tool Engravers with a
keen and personal interest. Their quality of engraving and precision of craftmanship has now reached
an excellence second to none. The fineness of engraving makes the finishing tools a joy to use.”
James Brockman says:

“Finishing Tool Engravers have worked passively and in close association with bookbinders for centu-
ries. They have always been adaptable with their designs which have evolved to suit ever changing
styles.

Fine Cut continue this association by offering a wide range of designs from earlier times, combined
with a willingness to experiment and engrave modern or alternative designs in both decorative tools
and type.

Binders should not forget the debt owed to the highly skilled engravers both now and for centuries
past.”

Please Note:
All graphics, including typefaces, patterns and hand tools, contained in this catalogue are provided
for illustration purposes only.

For accurate sizing of typefaces, please refer to the dimensions stated next to the point size and
not the visual.
 Useful Information

DEPTH OF
ENGRAVING

CHAR
HEIGHT
TYPE
HEIGHT

POINT
(BODY)
SIZE
DENOTES
BOTTOM OF
CHARACTER

Fine Cut type is supplied in the following combinations:

Standard 100 piece upper case font
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z & - . , ’ Letters supplied
4 3 3 3 4 2 2 3 4 2 2 3 3 3 4 2 2 4 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 3 2 2 Quantity supplied
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 AE OE Letters supplied
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 Quantity supplied

Standard 150 piece upper case font

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z & - . , ’ Letters supplied
6 4 4 4 6 3 2 4 6 3 3 5 5 6 5 3 2 6 7 6 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 4 2 2 Quantity supplied
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 AE OE Letters supplied
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 Quantity supplied

Standard 80 piece lower case font

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Letters supplied
5 3 3 3 5 2 2 3 5 2 3 3 5 2 2 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 Quantity supplied
Surcharges for less than one full font
0 - 25 pcs = 100% 26 - 50 pcs = 50% 51 - 75 pcs = 25% 76 - 99 pcs = 15%
Punctuation & Sign Set
A punctuation/sign set is available in any point size. It includes:
. , ? ! - / £ $ * ( ) [ ] ” ” ’ : ; + = % .(decimal point)

All type is supplied as printers type high - .9195” (23.35mm) unless otherwise stated.
Fine Cut type is manufactured in two different heights:
Printers type high = .9195” (23.35mm)
English Blocking height = .250” (6.35mm)
Special heights can be made to order.
A useful tip to remember is that 72 points = 1 inch.
When referring to point size this determines the actual size of the body. Fine Cut type is supplied with
the appropriate size of character engraved on it. All standard Fine Cut type is engraved flush to the
top of the body, but central is also supplied to order at no extra cost.
6pt type is supplied on an 8pt body.
 HANDLE LETTERS

Handle letters are manufactured to the most exacting standards. With perfection in mind we take the
utmost care to ensure that every handle letter meets with our customers highest expectations.

Our tools are supplied complete with wooden handles and heat protective nickel ferrules to aid
longer life. Each piece is designed for ease of use and is filed high up the shank to allow perfect
sighting of the character. Each set is contained in a purpose built wooden box with sliding lid.

Set of handle letters are available in sizes 6pt to 42pt.

All brass type styles shown in the catalogue are available in handle letters.

Script handle letters are available individually for monogramming purposes, i.e. tables, diaries,
cases, etc.
 Pt
Size
CAMBERWELL

36 10.3 6

30
30 8.6 7

26

26 7.5 8

24

24 6.9 9

22

22 6.2 10
18

16
18 5.6 11

14
16 4.6 13

12
14 4 15

12 3.5 18
10

10 3.2 20

8 2.5 23

6 1.8 31

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
CORONATION

36 11 6

30 9.3 7

26 7.7 8

24 7.2 6

22 6.6 10

18 5.7 11

16 4.6 13

14 4.2 14

12 3.7 16

10 3.2 18

8 2.3 23

6 1.8 28

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
DOMINIQUE CONDENSED

36 11 9

30 9.3 11

26 7.7 12

24 7.2 13

22 6.6 15

18 5.7 17

16 4.6 21

14 4.2 23

12 3.7 26

10 3.2 30

8 2.3 41

6 1.8 53

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
EDINBURGH

36 11 7

30 9.4 8

26 7.9 9

24 7.3 10

22 6.6 11

18 5.8 12

16 5 14

14 4.3 15

12 3.7 17

10 3 20

8 2.4 24

6 1.8 29

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
FOURNIER
36 11 5

30 9.3 6

26 7.9 7

24 7.3 8

22 6.6 9

18 5.8 10

16 5 11

14 4.3 13

12 3.7 15

10 3.2 18

8 2.4 22

6
1.8 28

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
GROTESQUE No. 9
36 10 7

30 8.4 9

26 7.3 10

24 6.7 11

22 6 12

18 5 14

16 4.5 16

14 3.9 18

12 3.4 21

10 2.8 25

8 2.2 33

6 1.7 36

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
KENT

36 10.8 6

30 8.9 7

26 7.5 8

24 6.9 9

22 6.4 10

18 5.6 11

16 4.6 13

14 4 14

12 3.7 15

10 3 17

8 2.5 20

6 1.8 30

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
RUTLAND

36 10.3 9

30 8.7 11

26 7.4 12

24 6.8 14

22 6.2 15

18 5.4 17

16 4.5 20

14 4.2 22

12 3.6 25

10 3 27

8 2.5 33

6 1.8 40

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 Pt
Size
SHADOW

36 11 7

30
30 9.3 9

26

26 7.7 11

24

24 7.2 12
22

22 6.6 13
18

16 5.7 14
18

14 4.6 18
16

14 4.2 19
12

12 3.7 22

10

10 3.2 25

8
8 2.3 35

6 1.8 45
6

CHARACTERS PER 50mm LENGTH

MEASUREMENT OF FACE IN mm

POINT/BODY SIZE
 TIMES ROMAN COMPRESSED

11 7 ABCDEFGHI&123abcdefg
9.2 9
ABCDERGHI&123abcdefghijk
8 10
ABCDEFGHI&123abcdefghijk

7.3 11 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXY
&-.,’1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrs
6.7 12 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
&1234567890-.,’abcdefghijklmnopqrstu

5.6 16 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.,’- &

1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

5 18 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.,’-&
1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

4.3 20 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ.,’-&
1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

3.7 24 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ .,’-&

1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

3 28 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ & .,’- 1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

2.5 35 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ & .,’- 1234567890 abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

1.8 39 ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ & 1234567890.,’- abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

 DECORATIVE BRASS ROLLS

As with all Fine Cut products our range of decorative brass rolls are designed with the craftsman in
mind. Sculptured handles and heat protective flanges combined with fine balance provide ease of
use for the most discerning gilder.

Each wheel is approx. 3” in diameter mounted on a turned steel shaft suspended between a cast
brass double prong fork. The sculptured handle is 12” long. We can mitre wheels to a set travel
distance.

The following sheets show all the designs available. As with the hand tools each roll is given a suffix
P, Q, R etc. This determines the price bracket as shown on the price list at the rear of the catalogue.

DECORATIVE STRIPS
The essential choice for bordering or underlining, Fine Cut strips are designed to any standard
brass roll pattern. Manufactured in type high brass to either 2”, 3” or 4” lengths, each strip is
available in any point size from our range. 4” strips are available at a 1/4 of its brass roll price.
 SPECIAL DIES/TOOLS

Our considerable expertise in the manufacturing of finishing tools enables us to produce specialised
brass or steel dies to order. Working from customers’ artwork or drawings we can supply the perfect
die whether straight or curved.

Quotations will be supplied on receipt of your design.

 Delivery

Inland (UK)

•Most catalogue items are available within approximately 4 weeks from receipt of order.
•Some items may take longer in which case details will be given on request.
•Parcels are usually sent via next day carrier. Carriage charges will be added to your order accordingly.
•Please advise of any delivery deadlines and we shall do our utmost to meet them.

Overseas

All overseas goods must be paid on pro-forma invoice. Delivery will be 4 weeks from receipt of
payment. Some items may take longer in which case details will be given on request. Larger items
may need to sent by either air or sea freight in which case individual quotations will be given.

Payment should be made in pounds sterling drawn on a U.K. bank in order to avoid bank charges
being incurred. If you are unable to do this please add £10 to your payment to cover these costs.
Alternatively payment can be made either directly into our bank account (Details of our account will
be shown on the pro-forma invoice) or by credit card - we would need to know the card type, card number,
expiry date, the three digit number shown on the signature strip, who the card is registered to and at
what address.

How To Order
When placing an order the following procedure should be followed:

•An order may be placed either verbally by telephone or by letter/purchase order. In each case an
•order number should be quoted where applicable.
•If you are unsure how to order any item a member of our staff will be happy to help.
•If placed verbally a letter/purchase order of confirmation is required.