Hi all,

I have been looking at Richard (Binder)'s mention of fountain pen friendly pads, and had a quick question for those who own them.

First, broadly speaking, what about the paper (heaviness, softness, etc, etc) makes it so nice to use with fountain pens.

And second, how do the pads come bound? A friend of mine is rather particular about what kind of pads he uses, and it would be nice if these aren't the sorts that won't stay open no matter how you hold them open, keeping flopping closed, etc.

High quality paper + user-friendly construction means a good experience for him, I believe. Just looking into these, loving Richard's work on pens. =)

Thanks!

Both the small and large pads feathered quite a bit with my wet italic nibs.

Ouch!

I bought a few with my last nib order from Binder and don't like them at all. Way too shiny (almost coated) stock. Wouldn't buy them again.

Now that's interesting. Some others have said that our pads aren't smooth enough.

FWIW, the paper is definitely not coated stock.

At many pen shows I sit and write on these pads which he has for testing pens. I write a nib sampler with all the pens he has on display. I've never seen a problem with feathering. I'll have to try more nibs!

My family ordered some, and I have written several letters on them. They are nice, not super-smooth, and I have had no feathering on the front.

The first letter I wrote, I used both sides of the paper. The back seemed to perform just a bit worse than the front.

All in all, I think it's nice paper, the imprint is attractive, and it's comfortable to write on.

I've got some and I've hardly ever used them because they just annoy me with the way they feather with any Diamine inks. Shame because they're a nice design with the fountain pen down the side and I do want to like them.

Some people mistake coating for calendaring. A shiny and smooth paper could just be heavily calendared. And since you have said they are not coated, the paper is probably just heavily calendared. On some of the more heavily calendared papers the ink does not absorb too quickly so it is a balancing act.... how much, how little, etc.

I can't make them feather with any of my inks. The paper thickness is very good - I just don't like the surface. Way too smooth. I find it changes the way my pens write but also understand that many folk will like them. I should state they are very good quality - they just don't suit my writing.

The pads are not coated - I said almost like they are coated, and the surface does vary a little on the reverse side.

I have a pile of them (got the variety pack). They are very smooth, and I haven't had any problems with bleeding or feathering. (Inks used so far: Sailor Blue Black, Mont Blanc Blue Black (Iron Gall), Noodler's Black, Aurora black, and Aurora blue.

In fact, I think that they actually make my pens write finer lines, almost drier. The paper itself seems to be more substantial than cheap copy paper, but nothing exceptional like cardstock or anything. Tell you what, PM me your addy, and I'll send you a sheet in the mail to test yourself, then you can make up your own mind.

As far as the binding, the pads have the gummy rubber at one end, and tear off just fine. I think he offers a bound notebook version, but I don't have it. I'll probably buy more when I run out.

- George