Review: Crane & Co. Ecruwhite Kid Finish Letter Sheets

[all my hues]

*** If you want to view the full entry with photos and links, check out the blog. ***

 

 

Crane & Co.'s 100% cotton paper is currently my favorite stationary paper to use for writing letters (I like to pair it with one of Crane's equally high quality wasabi green or celadon blue envelopes, which I then seal with wax before mailing off to a snail mail buddy).

 

The paper combines two very important elements for me: It's environmentally friendly, being made of cotton waste instead of trees; and the quality of the paper is excellent. There's a reason Crane & Co. is a highly preferred brand among fountain pen users, and that is what we will explore today.

 

THE PAPER

 

The paper is a bit more cream-colored than the photo shows, but not by much. It's a very soothing ivory-cream color which is easy on the eyes, as opposed to glaring white -- however, this stationary also comes in pure white if you prefer that.

 

The measurements of the sheets are 6 3/8 x 8 1/2 inches.

 

This paper is not smooth like Clairefontaine or Rhodia paper is; it's textured, so there is some feedback when writing. Though I usually like to write on smooth papers, I must say that I enjoy the texture of this stationary: It feels nice under your fingers, a nice subtle texture that gives the paper elegance and character.

If you are a paper junkie, like me, you'll be able to understand/appreciate what I'm talking about; if you're not, I probably sound like a crazy person to you. Heh.

Something to note, however: Though Crane's letter writing sheets are indeed fantastic on the front side, the back side of the paper is of slightly lower quality. Meaning, certain inks or wet-nibbed pens may feather slightly.

 

No matter what side you write on, however, the paper is adequately thick to ensure practically zero chance of bleedthrough.

 

 

PURCHASING CRANE & CO. ECRUWHITE KID FINISH LETTER SHEETS

 

This wonderful paper can be purchased at the Crane & Co. website, and any retailer that sells Crane & Co. products.

 

On the Crane website it is listed as costing $13 per pad (which come with 50 sheets).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

The combination of high quality and eco-friendliness (more so the latter than the former, truth be told...I'm such a hippie...) makes me want to keep restocking on these once I run out. Unless I find some paper that is lower in cost but that matches this in terms of quality, this will be my go-to paper for letterwriting. Highly recommended.

[jbb]

Thank you for the review. Fine writing paper really enhances the fun of snailing. The feel of the paper is very important.

[txinsk]

What is a kid finish? I understand laid, wove, smooth and vellum finishes, but kid I have no clue. I appreciate that it is subtle but how?

 

Rick

[all my hues]

What is a kid finish? I understand laid, wove, smooth and vellum finishes, but kid I have no clue. I appreciate that it is subtle but how?

 

Rick

 

Y'know, I actually am not sure what 'kid finish' is. This was the first time I'd heard of it too! I thought it might be referring to parchment made from the skin of a young goat -- or at least, that texture. I know that in medieval Europe, the best parchment (or vellum) was said to come from the skins of baby animals as opposed to fully grown ones. I believe that 'vellum' was a term used for the highest quality, smoothest parchment. Considering that this paper is slightly textured, it would make sense that this was called "kid finish" and not "vellum finish". That's my guess, anyway. In any case, 1) I'm fairly positive that no animal products were used for this paper, and 2) It's really nice paper to use

 

Maybe someone else will have more insight to offer than I...

Edited November 7, 2009 by all my hues

[GreenVelvet]

Thanks for a great review! Some FPN folks are not so fond of Crane's for a variety of reasons, and I'm glad to have another comrade-in-arms who is a Crane's lover.

 

I'll add two cents:

 

cent 1: This Crane paper is among my favorites, but it is so thick and "plush" that some of my superfine extra-fine nibs just catch and get lost in it. I won't use my Hero 329 on it, or my Pelikan M2oo with a Binderized custom XXXF/needlepoint nib. I actually won't even use some of the extra-fine Esterbrook nibs on it. A regular Western fine is not a problem, though, and that's a small price to pay for the sustainability features of this paper. AND - ink dries really well on it. So I don't use the extra-fine pens... for some of my medium nibs with wet inks that will take ages and ages and ages to dry on Clairefontaine Triomphe, the Crane's is great because they soak up (without feathering) immediately.

 

cent 2: If you're a frugal fannie like me, this one is for you. Twice a year Crane offers a really big sale when this paper is usually half price or less, and that is when I stock up on these pads. One of the sales is sometime in the summer, and the other is in the winter - maybe after the Xmas rush? or just before? - and at that time I pay $5 - $7.50 for one of these pads. Good deal, and I've learned to wait for the sales and stock up then.

[txinsk]

What is a kid finish? I understand laid, wove, smooth and vellum finishes, but kid I have no clue. I appreciate that it is subtle but how?

 

Rick

 

Y'know, I actually am not sure what 'kid finish' is. This was the first time I'd heard of it too! I thought it might be referring to parchment made from the skin of a young goat -- or at least, that texture. I know that in medieval Europe, the best parchment (or vellum) was said to come from the skins of baby animals as opposed to fully grown ones. I believe that 'vellum' was a term used for the highest quality, smoothest parchment. Considering that this paper is slightly textured, it would make sense that this was called "kid finish" and not "vellum finish". That's my guess, anyway. In any case, 1) I'm fairly positive that no animal products were used for this paper, and 2) It's really nice paper to use

 

Maybe someone else will have more insight to offer than I...

 

Ok, that makes sense for an explanation. I appreciate that it is your guess, but sometimes that's all we have. Thanks for the reply and enjoy your paper.

 

Rick

[Blade Runner]

Showing off my Crane's. It's all I use. Glad you love it too!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_0293.jpg

[p-zero]

Cranes is my favorite stationery too!

[CraigR]

Interesting coincidence that this was reviewed and then today my wife finds a box of the same paper in her office as she was doing some cleaning. She says I gave it to her because I was not fond of it and she forgot she had it. The box is labeled Crane's Kid Finish and 100% Cotton Fiber Paper. This set is stock #CH2416 Bordered Sheets with contents of 20 sheets (5 13/16 x 7 1/4) with 20 envelopes.

 

I have used Crane papers off and on over the years and have had varying results with my fountain pens and inks. My finer nibs seem to catch and scratch and that irritates me some. So, today I tried one of the above sheet with a MB 146 Medium nib that is a wet writer and lo and behold, I like it a lot. The paper still has some feedback to it, but no catching and scratching. The pens flowed over the paper very smoothly. I wrote a note to a good friend with Levenger Claret ink and that also was nice on this paper. So, I will put Crane papers back in my inventory and remember to use a wetter writer with it.

 

Thanks for the great review! /Craig

[all my hues]

I personally never noticed any issue with fine nibs being caught on the paper, but that's because my thinnest one is a Pelikan XF Even my second-thinnest, a Hero fine nib, is a wet writer.

 

Thanks for the input everyone! I'll adjust the review accordingly on my blog.

[Blade Runner]

I guess if you use very fine needle like nibs or sharp italics, Crane's or any high quality cotton paper may not feel smooth or catch, but I've never had a problem with my pens which range from XF to BB. I do prefer some feedback when I write, and I dislike a glassy writing experience, so personal perference has something to do with whether or not you love cotton papers. Having said that, if you have major problems with a western fine nib on Crane's, I would check your nib/feed before blaming the paper. I carry my Crane's when I test prospective pens. If it doesn't flow well over Crane's, I pass on the pen; ie, i use the paper as my litmus test.

 

I should also mention there are other Crane's papers like the Crest and Bond papers, and they come in different weights, and the Crest also comes in a laid finish.

 

Hello to p-zero!

Edited November 8, 2009 by jeen

[p-zero]

This thread about Crane & Co paper has me looking forward to their next big sale on the papers I like best. The monarch size is my favorite.

 

Hello Jeen!

[GreenVelvet]

I guess if you use very fine needle like nibs or sharp italics, Crane's or any high quality cotton paper may not feel smooth or catch, but I've never had a problem with my pens which range from XF to BB. I do prefer some feedback when I write, and I dislike a glassy writing experience, so personal perference has something to do with whether or not you love cotton papers. Having said that, if you have major problems with a western fine nib on Crane's, I would check your nib/feed before blaming the paper.

 

Nope - as I said in my original comments, western fine nibs are not a problem and I write with them on Crane's all the time. Even my Lamy XF writes just dandy on it (but I find Lamy XF to be more like many of my finer western fines). It's the Chinese and Japanese XF pens, plus my Binder-ized XXXF needlepoint nib, that catch in it.

[nerbiotxiste]

I guess if you use very fine needle like nibs or sharp italics, Crane's or any high quality cotton paper may not feel smooth or catch, but I've never had a problem with my pens which range from XF to BB. I do prefer some feedback when I write, and I dislike a glassy writing experience, so personal perference has something to do with whether or not you love cotton papers. Having said that, if you have major problems with a western fine nib on Crane's, I would check your nib/feed before blaming the paper.

 

Nope - as I said in my original comments, western fine nibs are not a problem and I write with them on Crane's all the time. Even my Lamy XF writes just dandy on it (but I find Lamy XF to be more like many of my finer western fines). It's the Chinese and Japanese XF pens, plus my Binder-ized XXXF needlepoint nib, that catch in it.

 

so then what do you tend to use instead? i am collecting research on quality paper for xxf & xxxf nibs (i write small) that i can use to make DIY pocket cahiers. what would you recommend, keeping in mind that i would prefer the paper quality to be as good writing on the back as writing on the front?