As the name implies, it is an elegant musical instrument used by predecessors to browse books. In order to prevent the grease on your hands from defacing ancient books, they are all opened in large volumes. It can also be used to read newspapers to prevent ink from getting into your hands. The history of the book-turning stick is not very long, and the19th century is its rich stage.
The book turning lever is usually flat and long in shape, so as to be inserted into the gap between pages. Generally, the length of the book turning rod is between 20 and 40cm, and the large book turning rod exceeding 40 cm is rare. It can be used as a book-turning stick and a letter-opening knife within 20 cm, but the letter-opening blade is generally slender and sharp, while the book-turning stick blade is flat, and the tip of the knife is generally semicircular or oval.
The structure of book-turning sticks in western countries is similar. Generally speaking, the main components are the handle and the blade. From the material point of view, it is probably these categories: silver handle, natural material blade, tooth blade or tortoise shell blade all belong to this category; Jade blade with silver handle, such as agate and jasper; The handle and blade are made of natural materials (or jade) with precious metals embedded in the middle; Perfect natural materials (or jade); All silver, sometimes the handle is decorated with enamel; Other special-shaped structures: such as handles with small folding knives, magnifying glasses and other functional objects, handles inlaid with gold coins; Metals other than silver: such as bronze or brass.
In the East (mainly in China and Japan), teeth, bamboo and wood are used as the materials of book turning sticks.
Generally speaking, silver handle blade is the most common in the west (later, celluloid imitation teeth are used instead of real teeth), but it is rare in the East. From the origin, the manufacture and use of book turning sticks in Britain are the most abundant.