Between Rhodia And Leuchtturm

[elippman]

Im relatively new to the paper issue. Ive explored pens and inks quite a bit, but long ago settled on Rhodia paper for my own notebooks. Im left-handed, so its handy if ink is able to dry relatively quickly, but I like the look of ink on Rhodia paper so much that Im usually willing to wait for the dry time or use faster-drying inks. For a while now, Ive been getting irritated by smooth nibs on Rhodia paper, though. The combination of smooth nib (usually a plus?), lubricated ink (usually a plus), and glossy paper (also usually a plus) makes for a slippery writing experience and I find myself pressing down on the page in order to generate some friction, for control purposes if nothing else. Ive tried a small Leuchtturm note book as well and cant stand the general tendency toward graininess, feathering, and bleedthrough that seem to accompany that thoroughly uncoated paper. So Im at a bit of a loss generating the ideal writing experience. Is there anything in between? The ink resistance, not terrible dry time (vs. say Tomoe River), and decent pricing of Rhodia notebooks has kept me in their camp for a long time, but now Im seeking a happy medium that isnt so slippery, but is still more fp friendly than Leuchtturm. Any suggestions?

[TennesseeTrash]

For a cheaper option, I've been very surprised with Black n red notebooks. I bought a couple for my daughter and they handled fountain pen ink very well without the coating of rhodia.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Red-Notebook-Inches-K66652/dp/B000EFQG1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507776976&sr=8-1&keywords=black+n+red+notebook+8+1%2F2+x+11

 

Another option that is less slick than rhodia is Apica. They're more expensive and I don't believe they come in letter or a4 size. Mine had some feathering with a broad nib twisbi, but nothing else.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Apica-Notebook-CD15-Navy-x10/dp/B005R19MOC/ref=pd_sim_229_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B005R19MOC&pd_rd_r=Q62M8R5JR9Y08HH9TEGJ&pd_rd_w=ZiY2o&pd_rd_wg=plOf0&psc=1&refRID=Q62M8R5JR9Y08HH9TEGJ

[elippman]

Thanks for the response. It looks like the Black n Red option is worth exploring, and is cheap enough not to break the bank. It also seems to get good reviews. I'll keep Apica in mind as well. It looks like it's also quite inexpensive in the smaller sizes, so we'll see. Thanks!

[dcwaites]

Rhodia also make some nice A5 notebooks using their Premium paper. That paper, while smooth, feels less glossy than the white Rhodia paper.

 

Fairly expensive, though, unless you can get them on special sale.

[LuckyKate]

I really like Midori notebooks. Goulet and many other places have the A5. They are a little expensive, but I found a bundle of 3 Midori A4 notebooks on Rakutan a couple of years ago for $25 and bought a bunch. They aren't slick at all.

[carlos.q]

Another vote for Black n' Red. Good white paper (not ivory or "off-white"). Cheap and with 2 options for notebooks: casebound or wirebound.

[KreepyKen]

You might also give Fabriano paper a try.

[Runnin_Ute]

I have Rhodia, Lechtturm and Red n Black. Rnb is the toothiest I would say. I keep hearing about these so called issues with Leuchtturm but haven't experienced them myself. Even with fat nibs and wet inks. I like them all, have an active a4 red n black, a5 Leuchtturm, and both a4 and a5 Rhodia. I also use Tomoe River and others.

[Intensity]

You might also give Fabriano paper a try.

I second that. Fabriano Bioprima paper is great. A beautiful Italian pale cream color paper, toothier than Rhodia. I prefer the look of my ink writing on Fabriano paper.

[bureaudirect]

Oh yes - there are plenty of others

Midori MD and Mnemosyne are my favs and fit your description perfectly.