Paper

[mkoenig]

Calling all guru gods of FP's,

 

Which by the way is just about everybody here compared to me!

 

So, I'm clearly hooked...yup that's right, dreaming about my first big purchase, tossing and turning at night about what I'll chose, what my wife will say, and to whom I'll write first (Note to self write love letter to wife, just before she sees the Discover bill).

 

Paper? Hmmm...can I sign my first signature on an Ampad spiraled notebook? I couldn't possibly...

 

So, what do you all look for in a nice everyday-special ocassion note/memo paper? Is it a thickness of stock, material, do tell!

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[mr_inky]

If you're looking for special paper go w/ a heavier paper, say 24# or even 30#. I use a 24# smooth inkjet paper for most of my note taking. The heavier paper will lessen bleed-through and gives a better impression. Nothing worse than cheap, thin paper.

 

my .02

[mkoenig]

Thanks Inky...

 

In your opinion, is smooth paper better than a "textured" paper...Not really textured, but not inkjet paper glossy smooth...

 

I guess I'd like to find something that doesn't look so bright and fresh and clean, but if it's bad for FP's, I don't want to use that either?

 

The world's greatest conundrum...

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

[Gerry]

A number of people have recommended Hammermill Ink Jet paper - 24 pound weight. The 28# paper is even a little more classy. Should Hammermill not be available (it's a little difficult to find around here) other premium manufacturers are good as well.

 

From what I recall of the discussion - Laser paper works too.

 

An option to finishing your paper is to print a header and picture - 'From The Desk Of' or something, and use it like a letterhead for special occasions / situations.

 

Some people, like Jimmy Tom, make pads of paper that are very nice to use - they are available through Richard Binder's site.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/

 

Gerry

[Keith with a capital K]

A process used in finishing paper is called "sizing" which is done to adjust the absorbency of the paper.

 

Things like newsprint have very little sizing and this can be demonstrated if you have ever tried to use a wet writing fountain pen on the Sunday crossword. The newsprint is configured to accept the inks they use in their printing process but not very well suited for FP ink.

 

Inkjet and printer paper is sized to work well with printer inks and it just happens that this type of paper is also very friendly to fountain pen inks. It is the favourite of many users.

 

And then there is everything else between... if at all possible I will test papers before I buy them to see how well they accept FP ink and have settled on using Mead Cambridge wire bound legal pads (bond quality) in ivory as I find this paper to be ideal. The same paper in white is a little coarser and a little more absorbent so it adds a little tooth and a few inks aren't as well suited to this paper.

 

The best thing about inkjet paper is that is costs little and works really well, I have a letterhead that I print out on pages and then use these for correspondence.

[KCat]

I generally prefer very smooth paper. I use either 24lb HP Color Laser paper - which is designed to take large amounts of ink and not feather or bleed. Or even better - 32lb HP Premium Choice. This paper is heavyweight, no bleed or feather, and a buttery dream to write on. More expensive than 24lb paper - but much less than any of the premium tablets out there (Clairfontain, Rhodia, etc.)

 

buuutt.. sometimes a little more feedback is in order and for that I love Wausau's Royal Silk Natural paper. It's a soft color, not so stark as other papers, and while quite smooth, has a little more texture than those other papers. Not as much texture as linen. I'm not as happy with the blue or grey - i use them but not with a sharp nib that will dig up the excess sizing. This may be a batch problem but I've only ever tried one batch so... I imagine the Royal Silk white would be quite nice.

 

I highly recommend Jimmy Tom's tablets as Gerry suggested. He won't tell me his trade secrets but he uses a quality paper that is smooth and very pleasant to use.

 

I've not been happy with any regular tablets. I used to love Dual Pads, but that was pre-FP days. I can't justify the cost of the pricey notepads so can't really comment on their quality.

 

depending on the ink you use (I like dark, saturated inks) and the nib smoothness, you might find those cheaper pads perfectly acceptable. Inks like Quink probably do fairly well on these because they are for the most part, low in dye concentration.

 

boooring.

[mr_inky]

Thanks Inky...

 

In your opinion, is smooth paper better than a "textured" paper...Not really textured, but not inkjet paper glossy smooth...

 

I guess I'd like to find something that doesn't look so bright and fresh and clean, but if it's bad for FP's, I don't want to use that either?

 

The world's greatest conundrum...

 

Thanks,

 

Mark

You have to be careful w/ textured paper. Too much texture and the nib might "grab". The broader the nib the better it would probably handle texture. I prefer a smooth surface and use the 24# Hammermil. If you are looking for a legal pad I've had success w/ Leeds brand.

 

Today I'm using a 5 x 8 yellow pad for notes and it is smooth and handles ink from my Parker 51 well. No brand on it but I got it from a CVS Drugstore (for those that have these). Come in a 3 pack.

 

You can get paper in different brightness levels. I think the Hammermil is 105. Seen it down to 84 also. there are probably colored papres available too.

[dava]

Howdy

 

What paper to use is indeed a dilemma of great concern to everyone who owns a wet writing FP. My choice of good paper is Strathmore. I'm not crazy about 100% cotton papers in general but I do like this stuff. My choice for all around paper-and what I use most often for snails--is Southworth Textured Squares 28# stock. Works fine with most flex pens and some italics, with the bonus of holding watercolor and pastel chalks in the texture (sometimes ya just gotta doodle on a snail ya know?).

 

I have dozens of papers here (worked for the largest paper convertor in the world) and have used just about everything out there and I just can't bring my self to like Hammermill anything. Ampad is OK... unless it costs more than Cambridge--why pay more for the same thing?

 

For notepaper I used Gilbert Mills stock in 25% cotton and 24# and it is a stiff, toothy watermarked paper that holds wet ink well.

 

If you realllllly need to write on good paper may I recommend Stephen Harold, sellers of interesting papers. Check out this link--but brace yourself first--it might be a tad over most office supply budgets. None the less, an interesting site to visit once in a while.

 

Stephen Herold http://www.antiquesatoz.com/stephenherold/hmpaper.htm

 

Dava

[Stylo]

Paper? Hmmm...can I sign my first signature on an Ampad spiraled notebook? I couldn't possibly...

Well, based on someone's suggestion here or on RS (sorry, I forget your name), I tried Ampad's "Gold Fiber" (I think) pads, which are their premium pads, and I have found out they work pretty well. You can get a pack of six or eight 50 sheet pads for around eight dollars.

 

A childhood favorite of mine is of course Clairefontaine, but it is more expensive and harder to find.

 

As everyone else said, inkjet paper, especially 22lbs and above, seems to work well enough most of the time. You may have to try a few different brands or models to settle on one you like, but in general, they'll do the job.

[mchristi]

I'm rather fond of Clairefontaine and Rhodia papers. I'd recomend checking them out. But I don't use them for everything, as they are more expensive than the good quality inkjet/laser paper that others have meantioned here. (I do use a cute little Rhodia pad for my grocery lists every few days....)

 

Mark C.

[mkoenig]

Thanks for the input!

 

The call to the guru gods of FP paper worked!!!

 

This is a ton of good information, and I'll certainly begin to try out new things, when my first new procurement comes in next week. A stunning, Pelikan 800 Black with Silver trim, in F. I've decided to get it local from Daly's Pen Shop, here in Milwaukee. I'll pay no more money for it, than I would on Joon, and I save shipping, plus make a great contact in Brad, the President. Also, I'd much rather support local business.

 

On a side note, Daly's has a ridiculously rich history in Pens, and I was thinking about chatting with the current President and maybe some past Presidents if available to learn more. I'll post any info I get from it, when completed.

 

Cheers, and thanks again!

 

Mark

[hpp]

Hi to all, it's me again -

 

just read your remarks concerning paper. That is a very old and persistent problem. Even in my school days we had some note-books with let's say decent paper and others with horrible blotting paper like properties. You could never know (school kids recognise properties but cannot always choose the right product: availabilty ...)

 

Today it is definitely worse. In our computer age, with those laser printers, papers are optimized for other purposes than inky fountain pen writing. When I bought my Pilot VP I asked that really nice young saleslady at Ortloff's in Cologne which paper would fit my writing techniques. She recommended Clairefontaine!

 

In the meantime I found out that I can buy these products in McPaper shops (dunno if they exist in the US) and in Kaufhof (very german). Another remark: When I travelled in France (at least once per year to Paris) I used to buy little spiral bound pads for photography-related mini-notes. I did not recognise, but these pads had always been Clairefontaine. My brother's remark: Very smooth paper. He also writes with FPs, his new MB LeGrand, his Monterosa in the office, etc. In France, Clairefontaine ist absolutely standard for schoolkids ... lucky french!

 

And it is the favorite of James Pickering. He at least should know what he's doing.

 

To Mark C: I share your opinion concerning Clairefontaine/Rhodia.

 

To Mark (The King, not to be misunderstood): Congratulations! Your M800 should be a really excellent writing tool. Have a lot of fun with it, it is worth the best paper you can get ... btw, I am thinking about buying an M800 ... but I have to go to Cologne to give it a trial.

And you are really active in this forum!

 

Nightly greetings,

 

Hans-Peter