raggedy edges

[Libre]

Why do many hardcover novels have pages with raggedy edges?
I've noticed that non-fiction books, textbooks and reference books generally don't have the raggedy edges, and instead have clean cut pages. On the other hand, novels often do have the raggedy edges - but only hard cover books.
Anybody know the origin of this practice, and if there is a purpose? Or, is it just style?

 

[SFG75]

A lot of your re-cycled paper books will feature that ragged-edge thing that you're talking about. I have a few books that are like that, usually from small univeristy presses or "alternative" book publishers.

 

[Occlith]

That type of effect is called a deckle edge and is found in older books printed on hand-made paper.

Early printers usually cut off all of the deckle, but book collectors wanted to see a little bit of the deckle as proof that the book had not been trimmed excessively or printed with machine-made paper.

Modern binderies can create a deckle edge when they want that effect, so I guess it is just a style.

 

[Libre]

Oh, I see.
The deckle, eh?
In a NY Deli, the deckle is part of a cut of corned beef.
I rather like the deckle (the book version). And now that you mention it, the paper texture is a bit different too. It's coarser, where as the clean cut edges ususally feature a glossier paper.

 

[dragondrool]

The only think I don't care for with the deckled edges is trying to flip back through the book to find something. The pages tend to turn in clumps.