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Stone Paper - paper made from limestone and some recycled polypropylene, evidently. A notebook of this was just given to me; found at Walgreen's, evidently, and not particularly more expensive than other notebooks.

 

I wrote a short letter with it, then this review, to get a feel.

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone1.jpg

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone2.jpg

 

This paper doesn't seem especially ink-fast; here is the same page after 20 seconds rinsing under cool running water with mild brushing with my fingers:

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone3.jpg

 

Although there isn't obviously any cellulose in it, the bulletproof ink still does seem to be at least somewhat waterproof. Also, interestingly, after drying the page returned to very nearly its original condition, showing very little of the typical water damage you'd expect on paper.

 

Overall it's not bad to write on, but I think knowing that it's made from limestone makes me wary of its potential abrasiveness. Does anyone else know anything about this stuff? It's kindof interesting nonetheless.

A handwritten blog (mostly)

 

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png

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Wonderful review! How does it feel to write on it? Does the word sandpaper come into your mind? How about its thermoconductivity properties? Is it cooler to the touch than common paper?

 

Maybe it's an excellent tool to smooth out nib imperfections. Just wandering...

Edited by RitaCarbon
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I thought I remembered something about this stuff. What little we seem to know about it is here.

I came here for the pictures and stayed for the conversation.

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Wonderful review! How does it feel to write on it? Does the word sandpaper come into your mind? How about its thermoconductivity properties? Is it cooler to the touch than common paper?

 

Maybe it's an excellent tool to smooth out nib inperfections. Just wandering...

 

No significant similarity to sandpaper - if it's a significant abrasive, it's a very fine one. I don't find it objectionable to write on, though it is a bit unusual. Someone in the other thread said it had a "oily" feel - I didn't have that impression, though I can see where that impression might come from.

 

Thermoconductivity... hmm, well, my evaluation wasn't quite that thorough. :) But no obviously unusual characteristics drew attention to themselves along those lines.

 

Polypropylene is widely used in tons of different things and is commonly recycled, so although I don't know for sure that this stuff uses recycled PP, it certainly could, if the makers are trying to be more eco-friendly (as the cover info would like you to think).

 

I think it's interesting stuff, overall, and I don't dislike it, but it probably won't be my favorite paper.

A handwritten blog (mostly)

 

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/606/letterji9.png

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I thought I remembered something about this stuff. What little we seem to know about it is here.

 

An interesting discussion that I missed. But I think that stone paper is better for the environment than those oil-derived products. Stone to stone, dust to dust...

Oh, sticks(wood) and stones will not hurt our bones, right?

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I wouldn't expect much abrasion; first, the limestone is coated with a polymer; second, limestone is very soft, as rock minerals go (calcite is Mohs scale 3 or 4, knife steel 5 to 5.5 and window glass about 6 -- tipping alloy is around 7.5 or a little harder). Many conventional papers are coated with or contain clays that have much harder particles than the limestone in Stone paper -- some clays have individual particles of aluminum oxide, which is Mohs 9 hardness.

 

OTOH, I'm surprised a fountain pen writes at all well on Stone paper, since it's essentially plastic extended with the stone powder. No surprise that the ink washes right off...

Does not always write loving messages.

Does not always foot up columns correctly.

Does not always sign big checks.

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I checked a nearby Walgreen's last weekend, but they didn't have any.

 

I wonder whether it fizzes if you put vinegar on it? I'm not sure I'd want to use "stone paper" for writing, but it occurred to me that if the calcium carbonate is available at the surface of the sheet, it might be useful for interleaving with normal paper to provide archival buffering.

 

-- Brian

fpn_1375035941__postcard_swap.png * * * "Don't neglect to write me several times from different places when you may."
-- John Purdue (1863)

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  • 2 months later...

Stone Paper - paper made from limestone and some recycled polypropylene, evidently. A notebook of this was just given to me; found at Walgreen's, evidently, and not particularly more expensive than other notebooks.

 

I wrote a short letter with it, then this review, to get a feel.

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone1.jpg

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone2.jpg

 

This paper doesn't seem especially ink-fast; here is the same page after 20 seconds rinsing under cool running water with mild brushing with my fingers:

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone3.jpg

 

Although there isn't obviously any cellulose in it, the bulletproof ink still does seem to be at least somewhat waterproof. Also, interestingly, after drying the page returned to very nearly its original condition, showing very little of the typical water damage you'd expect on paper.

 

Overall it's not bad to write on, but I think knowing that it's made from limestone makes me wary of its potential abrasiveness. Does anyone else know anything about this stuff? It's kindof interesting nonetheless.

I have found these at various Walgreens, and though not fp friendly, I love the smoothness of the paper. According to their description on the notebooks, they use less waste because they are created by using limestone and polypropylene. They also include that if we "replace one ton of virgin paper with one ton of stone paper you will save: six million BTU of energy, twenty trees, 167 lbs. of solid waste, 236 lbs of atmospheric emissions, and 7480 gallons of waste water." It rocks my world!

 

 

Treet

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  • 10 months later...

I'm not going to debate the environmental pros and cons of this paper; I'd rather just write on it.

 

I haven't seen the Walgreens/Oxford version, but will poke around our local Walgreens next time I'm there. This piqued my interest because I found "stone paper" at Target about a week ago; by Gartner Studios (even though it's not on their website). On the back of the packaging it is "roobee." I looked through the other threads referring to stone paper on FPN and it seems that my difficulty in finding this stuff online is not unique. I found the various opinions posted very interesting!

 

Personally, I have a fascination with the stuff. I like the "feel" of it. It's cool to the touch, and very supple / slinky. I got the small "CD sized" notebooks - 2 in a pack for about 3 bucks - and one fits nicely even into a small purse. A fountain pen glides smoothly across the page, as long as you don't put too much pressure on the upstroke. It's a fun change of pace to write on this stuff, and even this small notebook feels dependable in your hand. It IS heavy!

 

As for ink, I can't offer too much to the discussion as I don't have the variety or experience that other members do. I will say, though, that the Levenger bottled inks work very nicely - minimum feathering, fast drying. The only other ink observation I can offer is that VERY old Sheaffer ink took some time to dry. Don't take my word on that one, though - those cartridges are umm...ah....well.....ancient.

 

Brenda

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Stone Paper - paper made from limestone and some recycled polypropylene, evidently. A notebook of this was just given to me; found at Walgreen's, evidently, and not particularly more expensive than other notebooks.

 

I wrote a short letter with it, then this review, to get a feel.

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone1.jpg

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone2.jpg

 

This paper doesn't seem especially ink-fast; here is the same page after 20 seconds rinsing under cool running water with mild brushing with my fingers:

 

http://www.chud.net/~chd/images/stone3.jpg

 

Although there isn't obviously any cellulose in it, the bulletproof ink still does seem to be at least somewhat waterproof. Also, interestingly, after drying the page returned to very nearly its original condition, showing very little of the typical water damage you'd expect on paper.

 

Overall it's not bad to write on, but I think knowing that it's made from limestone makes me wary of its potential abrasiveness. Does anyone else know anything about this stuff? It's kindof interesting nonetheless.

I have found these at various Walgreens, and though not fp friendly, I love the smoothness of the paper. According to their description on the notebooks, they use less waste because they are created by using limestone and polypropylene. They also include that if we "replace one ton of virgin paper with one ton of stone paper you will save: six million BTU of energy, twenty trees, 167 lbs. of solid waste, 236 lbs of atmospheric emissions, and 7480 gallons of waste water." It rocks my world!

Ha. But in order to get that limestone, first we chopped down all of the trees growing on top of the limestone deposit, made that into paper, and once we ran out, dynamited all the junk in the way, and then got the limestone for MORE paper. Yes, perfectly sound. Also, we decided to use some BP oil for making the PP plastic. :thumbup:

The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.

Blaise Pascal

fpn_1336709688__pen_01.jpg

Tell me about any of your new pens and help with fountain pen quality control research!

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  • 2 weeks later...

I saw this today in my local stationery shop - is it me or does the paper feel heavier? It feels heavier than an equivalent thickness of 100gsm paper.

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So where does this stuff come in "Paper, scissors, stone"?

When you're good at it, it's really miserable.

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I saw this today in my local stationery shop - is it me or does the paper feel heavier? It feels heavier than an equivalent thickness of 100gsm paper.

 

The notebook I saw at Target was very heavy compared to regular notebooks. I don't think anyone could NOT notice the difference. I wonder how much more energy it took to just ship the 'stone' paper notebook vs. something made from farmed paper. I'm unconvinced that something made from limestone and petroleum products has less of an environmental impact than paper made from farmed pulpwood trees.

 

I generally try to buy paper that is from farmed trees and is made in the United States (to cut down on energy use from shipping). I think that cuts down the environmental footprint down to a reasonable level.

Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society. -- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Justice of U.S. Supreme Court (1902 -1932)

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Here's a link where a critic and a stone paper producer duke it out

My link

Edited by leahmarie64

"The heart has its reason which reason knows nothing of." French philosopher Blaise Pascal ~ Letter and Paper Exchange~

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Great review! Thanks! I had no idea such paper existed. I think I'll swing by Walgreens tonight and see if they have it. I wonder how it might work with an acidic ink, like an iron gall ink. Hmmmm...

 

Does this paper have the hexagon on every single page?

 

eta: I love your handwritten blog!

Edited by fiberdrunk

Find my homemade ink recipes on my Flickr page here.

 

"I don't wait for inspiration; inspiration waits for me." --Akiane Kramarik

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I went to Walgreens and bought the Oxford Stone Paper. Here are my scans. What interests me about this paper is a possible alkaline buffer for acidic inks (like iron gall inks). I wonder if that will improve longevity of these documents? Overall, the inks were slower drying on this paper. Sometimes the nib felt like it was sinking into the page. The notebook cost $2.99. I only saw one size available: 8 1/2" x 6".


  •  
  • Montblanc Blue-Black (iron gall) w/ Parker Vector fine nib -- writes smoothly


  •  
  • Chesterfield Archival Vault (iron gall) w/ Parker Vector medium nib-- this nib kept catching on the fiber. Difficult to write with.


  •  
  • Noodler's Black Swan in the Australian Roses w/ Platinum Preppy .05 nib -- smooth writing, but very slow drying

 


  •  
  • Noodler's Kung Te-chung w/ Platinum Preppy .03 nib -- Not quite as free-flowing


  •  
  • Noodler's Scott Brown #41 w/ Platinum Preppy .05 nib -- A good marriage here. Very smooth and free-flowing combination.


  •  
  • Magic Color Rust w/ Platinum Preppy .03 nib -- This is an acrylic ink that is usually lightning fast at drying. Not so on this paper.


  •  
  • Noodler's Lermontov w/ Platinum Preppy .03 nib -- OK flow, but not great


  •  
  • Platinum Carbon Black w/ Platinum Carbon Pen (extra fine nib) -- This nib may be too pointed and sharp for this paper. I kept getting fibers caught in the nib.

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5468933287_dfde90159a_z.jpg

 

I also wanted to test my homemade inks to see how they fared. These were all written with a J. Herbin glass pen and they are all acidic:

 


  •  
  • Homemade pomegranate (iron gall) ink -- very smooth and the ink stayed black


  •  
     
  • Homemade Jane Austen iron gall ink -- smooth writing, but the ink was brown (usually it is dark black)

    •  
    • Homemade black walnut ink -- not quite as free-flowing as the iron gall inks


    •  
    • Homemade pokeberry ink -- not quite as free-flowing as the iron gall inks

     

     

    http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5468933779_417a36202a_z.jpg

Edited by fiberdrunk

Find my homemade ink recipes on my Flickr page here.

 

"I don't wait for inspiration; inspiration waits for me." --Akiane Kramarik

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So where does this stuff come in "Paper, scissors, stone"?

 

I couldn't sleep last night pondering this question. Question of the year so far.

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One more thing. I did a waterproof test, mainly with bulletproof inks to see how they would do on this paper. Noodler's Black Swan in the Australian Roses ran right off (or at least the burgundy component did), but then again it's only a 16% bulletproof ink. Noodler's Lermontov lost just a little color. All the others did great. I rubbed my finger over the writing while it was wet. Lermontov smeared just a little. The others didn't.

 

One other interesting thing. This paper does not warp or buckle when it gets wet. After this paper dried, it was as if it had never been wet.

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5474022183_6948c42525_z.jpg

Find my homemade ink recipes on my Flickr page here.

 

"I don't wait for inspiration; inspiration waits for me." --Akiane Kramarik

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  • 2 weeks later...

I bought this at Walgreens a couple of days back. It works well even with my Danitrio Densho (B nib) which normally produces quite a wet line. Very impressed even though I am a little worried if the paper will spoil the nib.

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