Decent Paper And Envelopes

[mangalo]

Fellow writers,

 

I am wondering if you guys have any suggestions for plain paper and evelopes that would be suitable for writing some nice letters with a fountain pen? I recently sent a letter overseas, and the paper and envelope that I used were nothing short of atrocious. I am looking for something that is available in Canada and won't break the bank.

As I am fairly new, any suggestions you guys can offer would be great.

 

Thanks

[Letterman]

My suggestion for plain paper and envelopes for writing a nice letter over seas would be A4 sized Clairefontaine Triomphe with matching large envelopes. I don't have any myself but have received a couple of letters written on it. It's not too heavy which might save you some money on postage. The paper has a reputation for being very smooth. Rhodia paper is a little less smooth and some people like it better for that reason. I don't know how well Clairefontaine envelopes would match Rhodia paper in brightness and color. I think they would be a tolerably close match though.

[bcbg]

I'm not sure about availability in Canada, but I'd second Letterman's suggestion of Clairefontaine Triomphe.

Another good plain white paper is G.Lalo Velin - compared to Triomphe it is somewhat heavier and ever-so-slighly more textured.

How smooth you like your paper is a matter of personal preference.

Both take FP ink admirably, are bright white and matching envelopes are available.

[exdevlin]

Hi Mangalo~

 

I got some decent linen paper that's ivory coloured from Wal-Mart (surprising, isn't it?) for ~$10 for a pack of 100. They're Wassau brand and fairly good quality. My Waterman ink doesn't bleed through, and doesn't feather. There also isn't much tooth in the paper, so it doesn't feel like my nib is clogging up either.

 

For a nice matching envelope, I had to find linen envelopes on eBay. I went with an A-2 size envelope, since that's what letter size paper fits in when folded into quarters, this is the posting I went with.

 

Clairefontaine seems to only have lined notebooks in my city, but I'm sure if you could find a proper stationery store where you are, you could find some better selection. Rhodia brand paper has been a fairly good fountain pen paper as well.

 

We should exchange letters once you get some paper!

Edited February 12, 2013 by exdevlin

[mangalo]

Thanks for all the tips guys, I'll look into all of these avenues and let you know what I choose. I had no idea where to start looking, so now i've got some good leads. Thanks again

[Jwall]

I strongly second the suggestion of the Triomphe paper from CF, however, I have used the smaller size but the paper is the same. I am not totally sold on the envelope design, but they work and the paper is great. I admit that I will use cheaper envelopes and address them with an EF nib and Noodler's black ink so that it only spreads to a fine line and all is well.

 

I do feel a slight difference with Rhodia paper, but it is not in anyway a stark contrast, best described to me merely as "different." I have only experienced their paper in various sizes of their top bound stapled notepads and my Webnotebook. After I fill it up, I am going back to Clairefontaine Basic Life Unplugged notebook - I don't find myself able to justify the $16 or so dollar price difference based on the writing experience alone. But, that is an opinion you may feel free to ignore!

 

The "culture" of modern FP use is both awesome, and daunting! Good luck!

[mangalo]

I recently went to Wal-Mart to pick up some of the Wassau Premium paper that was recommended. I got 100 sheets of 24lb. Linen paper and 50 matching envelopes for $16. They come in an ivory color and are actually rather nice to write on. With my pilot 78g, the nib is very scratchy, making writing rather laborious and crude. But with my Lamy Safari, it's as smooth at butter. No skipping, no feathering, no blood-through and only a touch of show-through.

Overall, very pleased with this paper. When I am finished with this, I will try their bright white cotton, or maybe some of the other suggestions that I have gotten from this thread. So again, thanks guys; you've solved my initial problem (if only by starting a new one....a paper addiction)

[Runnin_Ute]

Getting a decent envelope is the hardest part I find. I like #10 sized envelopes personally. Right now the paper I am using is a Southworth Granite Specialty paper 90gsm 25% cotton, gray. It does come in other colors. (Ivory and I think white) I know matching envelopes are available, but not sure pricing and the like. Before December, I didn't know matching envelopes were available.

[ac12]

@mangalo

What is the tip size on your Pilot 78g and Lamy Safari?

 

I normally write with a F tip FP and the F tips do NOT like rough paper. In fact if it is less than smooth I start to get scratching, which bugs me when I write. I normally feel the paper with my fingers, and if it feels less than smooth, I don't buy it.

I do like linen paper and used it a lot for typing correspondence years ago. But my pens don't like the surface.

 

BTW, there are MANY threads on "inexpensive" papers, for those of us that don't want to pay for Clairfontaine paper. It takes a bit of work to find it, but decent inexpensive paper is out there, in various forms; composition books, wire bound notebooks, ruled filler paper, unruled/blank paper. I probably have 5 years worth of paper sitting on my office floor, waiting to be put away.