A sharp knife, some scrap leather and an hour, and I have a handy little reference that should stay nice for a long time and not need to be recharged!
In album POCKET REF Leather Cover
![](https://i0.wp.com/lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0WCEqObwfqY/UxAJ-doV-lI/AAAAAAABJc4/IwAWGpYnEOA/20140227_212637_Wakefield%2BDr.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
The finished book cover. I decided not to dye it black. It took me an hour to make, start to finish.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_U1QM_NG7V8/UxAJUkkgyJI/AAAAAAABJaw/-uZY7j0AaQM/20140227_212513_Wakefield%2BDr_1-MOTION.gif?w=640&ssl=1)
Flipping through my new favorite book! The case opens up so I can take the book out. Should keep the cover nicer, longer.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6wodF_8kFZQ/UxAG-Mp-H-I/AAAAAAABJWc/IHg0HPymp0o/20140227_202019_Wakefield%2BDr.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
The bits and pieces I need for making a cover for my Pocket Ref. A piece of leather out of a ‘scrap leather’ bag from a hobby store, a sharp knife, a cutting mat, Neatsfoot Oil and Dye.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lh6.googleusercontent.com/-sWXiqScHU0Y/UxAG-Bux2FI/AAAAAAABJWc/SfiOKBX-xBo/20140227_202348.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
The leather was an assortment grab bag. I was lucky I had a piece that was big enough I could make something work. There was another piece with a color I liked better, but I couldn’t get something I liked cut out of it.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y41DUZBWv7E/UxAG-GyUQiI/AAAAAAABJaE/jMX4G9tWQjc/20140227_203038.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
I used the cutting mat to mark the cut lines. Just slide it along on the edge. Visible marks on the suede side of the leather. I also oiled the finished side at this point so the oil has a chance to soak in before I dye it.
Nice idea! I think my old one is held together with grip tape I found next to a tennis court – babalot or something.
I am hoping to delay the tape for as long as possible.
So after reading this post, I checked out the book and ordered 3! One for myself and one for each of my boys as a gift from their dad.
UPS showed up today with a soaking wet box and they were all soaked. Now I have to wait for new ones.
It really is a small book.
Soggy books. That sucks! How did the paper and ink hold up?
That's 5 copies that have been bought based on my copy. Adam savage has me beat I am sure. It is a cool book.
I don't know. The ups guy let me open it briefly and as soon as I saw wet wrinkled pages I gave it back to him.
Good call. It's the same paper as bibles as best as I can tell.