Fig. 9.
A mount cutter’s knife ([fig. 10]) will be found to be a convenient form of knife to use for cutting guards.
In using the knife and straight-edge a good deal of pressure should be put on the straight-edge, and comparatively little on the knife.
Fig. 10.—Mount Cutter’s Knife
To mend the torn back of a pair of leaves, a guard should be selected a little longer than the height of the pages and well pasted with white paste (see page [288]). If the pair of leaves are not quite separated, the pasted guard held by its extremities may be simply laid along the weak place and rubbed down through blotting-paper. If the leaves are quite apart, it is better to lay the pasted guard on a piece of glass and put the edges of first one and then the other leaf on to it and rub down.
On an outside pair of leaves the guard should be inside, so that the glue may catch any ragged edges; while on the inside pair the guard should be outside, or it will be found to be troublesome in sewing. In handling the pasted guards care is needed not to stretch them, or they may cause the sheet to crinkle as they dry.