How do you protect your gaming books?

[Psion]

Hi all,

It seems to me that whenver I use books frequently -- or worse, transport them -- they get dinged up pretty badly.

I went looking for Chessex covers like I had on my old books, but alas, found they only had backstock of various covers left -- like werewolf.

I was forced to strip my Chessex protective covers off my old 2e books to reuse them, but some of those aren't in the greatest shape. I still need more.

I did find some stretch cloth covers called "book sox" at staples, but there is a limited selection of colors and the fancy ones are more expensive -- and they still aren't as neat as my Chessex covers. The paper covers don't do it for me, as it seems like they would get ripped easily. (But they are cheaper!)

So what do you use to protect your frequently used gaming books?

 

[barsoomcore]

I crouch over them with a baseball bat, hissing at anyone who comes near.

 

[Doc_Souark]

I've trained my attack cat NOAH* to guard them.

*Yes he is partally named for an Iconic admin of ENWorld.

 

[Turanil]

It's a real problem.

My answer is to limit the books that I will use during a gaming session. Usually the three core books. I really hate to have lend other books (for example Monte's AU, reason for I bought also the pdf so the players would read them and don't put their greasy hands on my only copy carefully taken care of). There is usually three PHB at the gaming table, including mine. But even like that, some drink was spilled over my PHB during one session; and I was extremely angry, while the player (responsible for it) said it wasn't so terrible. Hence, I have two PHB (ludicrous, but true): one which will never leave the shelf, andf the other i go gaming with (these are two 3.0 PHB, one of first printing and one of 2nd printing, so at least I have two different books somehow).

I think it's a hopeless case!

 

[diaglo]

they still have Dragonskins at Chessex....

http://www.chessex.com/Accessories/Accessories3.htm

 

[Psion]

they still have Dragonskins at Chessex....

http://www.chessex.com/Accessories/Accessories3.htm

Ahem

I went looking for Chessex covers like I had on my old books, but alas, found they only had backstock of various covers left -- like werewolf.

Emphasis added.

 

[cyrusduane]

For a little while now I've had all my high use books in bookcovers known as "Booksox". They are decent fabric based covers in various prints and solid covers. (You want to go with the "large size") For example, my MM is in one that has gargoyles on it.

They don't look as nice as the old Chessex covers, but they won't get brittle with age and do not increase the overall size of the book by much. (IE. you don't have the shelving clearance problems, if they fit without the cover, they will still fit.)

They are available at Staples here in the U.S. at @ $3. Other office supply chains may carry them as well. (Staples is one of the BEST places to go for gaming supplies)

Other than that, I shelf my books carefully, don't leave them in my car overnight and stopped using a backpack to transport them between games. (Picked up a canvas sachel for $9 on sale at Old Navy. Place them binder down.)

-Cyrus

 

[Kormydigar]

Hi all,

It seems to me that whenver I use books frequently -- or worse, transport them -- they get dinged up pretty badly.

I went looking for Chessex covers like I had on my old books, but alas, found they only had backstock of various covers left -- like werewolf.

I was forced to strip my Chessex protective covers off my old 2e books to reuse them, but some of those aren't in the greatest shape. I still need more.

I did find some stretch cloth covers called "book sox" at staples, but there is a limited selection of colors and the fancy ones are more expensive -- and they still aren't as neat as my Chessex covers. The paper covers don't do it for me, as it seems like they would get ripped easily. (But they are cheaper!)

So what do you use to protect your frequently used gaming books?

I have been using clear kitchen contact paper for years. It is sold cheaply almost everywhere. Simply cut out a sheet large enough to cover your book, and fold over the edges, done. A great advantage of this stuff is of course that its clear and you can see what book it is and still enjoy the cover art.

 

[Psion]

Something about the idea of applying something advesive to my book covers leaves me skeevy.

 

[kreynolds]

Ahem

LOL Heh, I was waiting for someone to catch that.