Does Paper Really Make A Difference?

[TacticalMaverick]

HI everyone!, I know this is probably a bit of a dumb question, but I've been wondering so I'll ask it anyway. I've been writing with my FPs for years and I always considered them to be much smoother and better performers that most of my ballpoints. However, I have always used whatever paper was handy and never really noticed a difference. That is until recently when a friend mentioned that he couldn't use his Fps on the really bad paper prevalent in society today, and I began to question. So does the paper make a differnece? and if so how much of a difference? is it a deal breaker for you? I currently use a mead Composition notebook but I may pick up a Black and Red pad at my friends urging to see if I notice a difference.

 

 

Thanks for indulging my dumb question

 

 

Bill

[QM2]

The short version is Yes!

The longer version is: Yes, now go and buy some nice notebooks! : )

 

Okay, in all seriousness now: I own pens that are the smoothest, most wonderfulest writing pens on nice paper, yet actually refuse to write at all on bad paper. This is especially true of italic nibs. Nice paper for all!

[TacticalMaverick]

Is it possible for bad paper to cause a pen to act like it has a feed issue? stopping and starting or slow starting? thanks for the reply so promptly

 

Bill

[QM2]

Is it possible for bad paper to cause a pen to act like it has a feed issue? stopping and starting or slow starting? thanks for the reply so promptly

 

Bill

 

Yes, exactly. Though this is also possible on nice but overly textured paper. For example, some of my pens hate Crane's letter writing paper.

[TacticalMaverick]

I see.... that might explain why some of my pens write really well after a cleaning and then after a few pages the writing becomes a bit more difficult and sometimes ink flow issues develop and I don't get the same writing experience from beginning to end.

[dcwaites]

I see.... that might explain why some of my pens write really well after a cleaning and then after a few pages the writing becomes a bit more difficult and sometimes ink flow issues develop and I don't get the same writing experience from beginning to end.

 

If you are writing on paper with really loose fibres, that may be the problem. The fibres will get into, and block the nib tip. Then you clean the pen, and all is good for a few more pages...

[TWRDO]

Paper makes a big difference. I mostly use Mead 5-star notebooks for note-taking. It's far from the worst, but definitely not the best.

 

I have a couple of Rhodia pads (which I use mostly for writing samples with different inks), and there is a huge difference between it and the Mead notebooks. It's MUCH smoother and inks are generally better behaved, with less feathering, though at the expense of some drying time. Most Target stores carry a basic selection of Rhodia pads/notebooks, if you've got one close and want to try a nice paper.

 

Another thing that can make pens hard starting is the deposition of oils from your hand on the paper. If it writes fine at the top of a page and gets worse toward the problem you're probably seeing that effect. Ink is water based so it can actually be repelled by the oil if there's enough of it on the paper.

[redshifteffect]

Of course the problem you described could also be ink related.

[hawkgnat]

Paper can make a huge difference, but honestly, the only pens I end up carrying with me are the ones that are versatile enough to work well on the majority of papers I encounter. You can't always control what you are going to need to write on.

[Blade Runner]

Is it possible for bad paper to cause a pen to act like it has a feed issue? stopping and starting or slow starting? thanks for the reply so promptly

 

Bill

 

Yes, exactly. Though this is also possible on nice but overly textured paper. For example, some of my pens hate Crane's letter writing paper.

I've never had an issue with Crane's 100% cotton with my nibs which range from factory XFs to BBs. But if one uses specialty grinds finer than XF or sharp edged grinds I imagine that could be a problem with more textured papers. If there's a problem with standard XFs and broader, there could be an issue with the nib that glossier papers are hiding. In fact, I take 100% cotton stationery when dip testing prospective pens to help screen for nib misalignments. On the other hand, more textured papers can hide slight degrees of baby bottom nib.

 

@OP

Ballpoints can write on many more surfaces than fps, so in that regard bps are more versatie. Bad papers for fps can be too glossy like modern postcards or have too little sizing like paper towels or some copy paper. In regards to letter writing, I regard paper choice as the most important element after content and handwriting. A poor quality paper can make a bad impression even if you are using the most exclusive pen and ink. Whereas a beautiful paper can make a great impression largely on its own merits, even if you're using a modest, properly functioning fp and standard ink. I recommend having a nice wardrobe of stationery, pen and inks. Enjoy.

Edited September 10, 2010 by Blade Runner

[bassopotamus]

The big thing I see is differences in feathering and bleed. I mostly write on rhodia, and get none of either with any ink or pen, except if you actually spillink on the page. OTOH, I have some cheap laser printer paper which feathers like a madman. I was putting notes on a recipe to take shopping the other day, and the extra fine nib was writing like a magic marker.

[KCat]

I see.... that might explain why some of my pens write really well after a cleaning and then after a few pages the writing becomes a bit more difficult and sometimes ink flow issues develop and I don't get the same writing experience from beginning to end.

 

If you are writing on paper with really loose fibres, that may be the problem. The fibres will get into, and block the nib tip. Then you clean the pen, and all is good for a few more pages...

 

as TWRDO notes, oils on the paper can cause a problem. So can excessive sizing which I've found will get "scratched" into an edged nib (italic, sharp oblique) and block it pretty easily. the oils problem tends to be on papers that are heavily sized also - because rather than soak into the paper themselves, they sit on top of the paper and your pen comes along and picks them up.

 

Basically choice of paper is equivalent to components of a recipe. If you skimp on an ingredient in a cake recipe or the like, you'll get a lower quality cake.

 

That said, it doesn't mean it has to be expensive paper. And sometimes expensive paper can be as bad as the cheap stuff. In the day-to-day stuff, (grocery lists, etc.) I don't care if the paper bleeds or even has fibres that come off the page. In letters and creative writing (which are sometimes indistinguishable ) then it definitely matters to me.

[wallylynn]

That said, it doesn't mean it has to be expensive paper. And sometimes expensive paper can be as bad as the cheap stuff. In the day-to-day stuff, (grocery lists, etc.) I don't care if the paper bleeds or even has fibres that come off the page. In letters and creative writing (which are sometimes indistinguishable ) then it definitely matters to me.

 

Yup, Staples formerly bagasse (sugarcane), now rebranded eco-something paper had rave reviews. This despite being a recycled paper product that usually soaks ink like newsprint and tissue.

 

Paper can make a huge difference, but honestly, the only pens I end up carrying with me are the ones that are versatile enough to work well on the majority of papers I encounter. You can't always control what you are going to need to write on.

 

Yup. Noodler's regular black was designed for writing on newspaper. I like using my iron gall inks (Lamy bottled Blue-black, Montblanc midnight blue (blue-black)) because they're well behaved even on poor papers like moleskines. I only have one pen, so I use it on everything.

[jniforat]

won't you use some nice clairefontaine paper, it's hard to go back to anything else.

[lsmith42]

won't you use some nice clairefontaine paper, it's hard to go back to anything else.

No kidding... that stuff's addictive...

[dgturner]

won't you use some nice clairefontaine paper, it's hard to go back to anything else.

No kidding... that stuff's addictive...

 

I am trying to find a way to sneak some more past my wife (by more I mean 250 - 1500 sheets), it is a tad bit problematic when she actually checks the bank account...

I have been a paper/pen geek for years though...

[Moynihan]

"So does the paper make a differnece?"

Assuming you mean , differnce in the enjoyment of the use of a FP, i would say yes.

 

"...how much of a difference?"

To me a huge difference.

 

"is it a deal breaker for you?" Assuming by deal breaker you mean that if bad paper then not using a fountain pen, for me no. I still will use a fountain pen (a fine or "dry"writing nib/ink) with bad paper, such as moleskine notebooks.

Edited September 11, 2010 by Moynihan

[dcwaites]

won't you use some nice clairefontaine paper, it's hard to go back to anything else.

No kidding... that stuff's addictive...

 

I am trying to find a way to sneak some more past my wife (by more I mean 250 - 1500 sheets), it is a tad bit problematic when she actually checks the bank account...

I have been a paper/pen geek for years though...

 

OT, but my wife was checking the joint account.

SWMBO "What have you been buying from overseas now?"

ME "What do you mean?"

SWMBO "All those amounts to PrePaid"

ME "That's your prepaid calling card you use to call your relatives overseas."

SWMBO "Oh..."

[KCat]

OT, but my wife was checking the joint account.

SWMBO "What have you been buying from overseas now?"

ME "What do you mean?"

SWMBO "All those amounts to PrePaid"

ME "That's your prepaid calling card you use to call your relatives overseas."

SWMBO "Oh..."

 

hee hee. Sometimes, in our effort to trip you guys up...

[TacticalMaverick]

Wow! Thank you all for the large response! My friend is supposedly going to send me a letter on some nicer Black N' Red paper with a blank sheet so I can reply and see for myself :)Does anyone know how all of these rating systems work for the papers? What is the difference between a 16 lb sheet as opposed to a 24lb sheet, and what does it mean if the paper says 90 GSM? Sorry to bombard you all with questions but I'm interested now and I can't help it

 

 

Bill