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... homemade journal ...

TMLee

By TMLee
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oshizemi Rare

oshizemi

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Impressive work. It really makes me want to try my hand at bookbinding. I can never seem to find what I want and need anywhere, and I go through notebooks like crazy.

"Do you know the legend about cicadas? They say they are the souls of poets who cannot keep quiet because, when they were alive, they never wrote the poems they wanted to."

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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The covers wrapped ...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/DSCF8411-2.jpg

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Impressive work. It really makes me want to try my hand at bookbinding. I can never seem to find what I want and need anywhere, and I go through notebooks like crazy.

 

 

thank you :D

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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USMCMom Antique

USMCMom

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TMLee ... I apologize if you have answered this qurstion previously. I tried to find the answer, but haven't been able to. Your "Blue Wave" journal, as well as others you have done, show beautiful stitiching. I know and use the coptic stitch, but are you by chance using a double thread or a 2-needle method for these open spine books? The thread I have been using is so much thinner than your appears to be.

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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TMLee ... I apologize if you have answered this qurstion previously. I tried to find the answer, but haven't been able to. Your "Blue Wave" journal, as well as others you have done, show beautiful stitiching. I know and use the coptic stitch, but are you by chance using a double thread or a 2-needle method for these open spine books? The thread I have been using is so much thinner than your appears to be.

 

Hi,

These stitches are double-needle method.

They sort of 'criss-cross', producing a more full-bodied effect visually.

Double-needle method also means that you will always have an even number of sewing stations, as compared to single-needle method.

 

How heavy(thick) a cord to use is pretty much your preference notwithstanding the practical limitations when combined with writing paper grammage , cover thickness etc.

 

So far my observation is that thinner papers can't really withstand overly heavy cords.

There's an optimum size somewhere.

 

I only use single needle Coptic stitches in hard cover case bound books, ie not open-spined books.

The stitching Can't be seen, so no need to expend greater effort to achieve nicer stitches.

 

Open-spined books provide the opportunity to showcase the beauty of the stitching, and thread,

hence the choice of the kind of stitching becomes crucial.

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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USMCMom Antique

USMCMom

Posted
Posted

TMLee ... I apologize if you have answered this qurstion previously. I tried to find the answer, but haven't been able to. Your "Blue Wave" journal, as well as others you have done, show beautiful stitiching. I know and use the coptic stitch, but are you by chance using a double thread or a 2-needle method for these open spine books? The thread I have been using is so much thinner than your appears to be.

 

Hi,

These stitches are double-needle method.

They sort of 'criss-cross', producing a more full-bodied effect visually.

Double-needle method also means that you will always have an even number of sewing stations, as compared to single-needle method.

 

How heavy(thick) a cord to use is pretty much your preference notwithstanding the practical limitations when combined with writing paper grammage , cover thickness etc.

 

So far my observation is that thinner papers can't really withstand overly heavy cords.

There's an optimum size somewhere.

 

I only use single needle Coptic stitches in hard cover case bound books, ie not open-spined books.

The stitching Can't be seen, so no need to expend greater effort to achieve nicer stitches.

 

Open-spined books provide the opportunity to showcase the beauty of the stitching, and thread,

hence the choice of the kind of stitching becomes crucial.

 

Thank you. I was pretty sure you were using a double needle and am planning on purchasing the book you mentioned earlier, as soon as I'm able. Your stitching is beautiful.

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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  • Author
Posted

TMLee ... I apologize if you have answered this qurstion previously. I tried to find the answer, but haven't been able to. Your "Blue Wave" journal, as well as others you have done, show beautiful stitiching. I know and use the coptic stitch, but are you by chance using a double thread or a 2-needle method for these open spine books? The thread I have been using is so much thinner than your appears to be.

 

Hi,

These stitches are double-needle method.

They sort of 'criss-cross', producing a more full-bodied effect visually.

Double-needle method also means that you will always have an even number of sewing stations, as compared to single-needle method.

 

How heavy(thick) a cord to use is pretty much your preference notwithstanding the practical limitations when combined with writing paper grammage , cover thickness etc.

 

So far my observation is that thinner papers can't really withstand overly heavy cords.

There's an optimum size somewhere.

 

I only use single needle Coptic stitches in hard cover case bound books, ie not open-spined books.

The stitching Can't be seen, so no need to expend greater effort to achieve nicer stitches.

 

Open-spined books provide the opportunity to showcase the beauty of the stitching, and thread,

hence the choice of the kind of stitching becomes crucial.

 

Thank you. I was pretty sure you were using a double needle and am planning on purchasing the book you mentioned earlier, as soon as I'm able. Your stitching is beautiful.

 

 

Thank you :D

But there are better examples.

 

As my journals are crafted for sale, I always provide a macro shot of the stitches in order to show how well(or badly) the stitches are done, since it is practically the main feature of the journal.

 

A well executed stitch is where all the locks and climbs are evenly sized.

It comes with practice, I learnt.

There's no shortcut. You just got to keep stitching till you perfect it.

 

Achieving a 'perfect' stitch has got to do with what I term 'tensioning', which is the result of two factors

- how hard(or loose) you pull taut the cord at EACH pull-through;

- and how consistent the amount of slack you regulate as each cord end passes out of each station.

 

For this reason, you can imagine how impossible it is WITHOUT a waxed thread.

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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UncleJoe420 Mint

UncleJoe420

Posted
Posted

On the subject of homemade journals, have got a couple of wads of packing paper staring back at me, waiting to be turned into notebooks, but am not 100% sure how to use them... Ideas, anyone?

"Is this thing on??"

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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This is an illustration of thickness of cord in relation to paper thickness.

 

The TOP journal is : 80g paper with #20 gauge thread ( about 0.4 to 0.5mm thick)

The MIDDLE journal is : 135g paper with 0.8mm thread thickness

The BOTTOM journal is : 135g paper with 1.0mm thread thickness.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/016.jpg

 

another view , standing erect

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/020.jpg

 

For sense of scale , the TOP journal is as slim as an iPhone4 with silicon rubber sleeve

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160C%20FPDay2012/003.jpg

 

 

I usually try to select a cord thickness that suits the signature thickness.

 

In all the 3 samples above, each signature contains 4 folios only.

 

My observation is that if the thread gets too fine, it becomes very hard to notice the wonderful stitch pattern.

If too thick, the thread adds to the thickness of the bookblock.

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Posted (edited)

This is the first of a set of three journals commissioned for FP Day2012.

 

This variant is #160 "FP Day2012"

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/021.jpg

 

with band deployed ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/0252.jpg

 

rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/0242.jpg

 

This journal series belongs in the white series of journals...

so the stitches are white so as not to detract from the black and white sketch.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/0262.jpg

 

closeup

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/027.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/030.jpg

 

 

Full spread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/028.jpg

 

The inside flyleaf

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/031.jpg

 

The challenge was to position the sewing stations such that the sketch remained unspoiled ..

Fortunately, with a little adjustment , it was executable ...

The exact position of the stations were carefully marked on the outside ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/032.jpg

 

 

well ... almost :embarrassed_smile:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/033.jpg

 

The rear pocket with namecard slot and

anti drop-out flap

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/009.jpg

 

 

 

Writing paper is NATURALIS Vanilla White , 135gsm, Smooth :thumbup:

7 Signatures , 4 Folios each, total 112 writing pages

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/022.jpg

 

The inktestpage

by STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

Pelikan Brilliant Brown Ink

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/005.jpg

 

 

The Colophon

written with

PELIKAN M620 <B> DIY Stub

DIAMINE Monaco Red

and

ROSETTA North Star <M> CI by pb2

NOODLERS X-Feather (black)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/006.jpg

 

 

 

The trio

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/0172.jpg

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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This is Journal #160A "FP Day 2012" , a variant of the above.

 

Its also an improvement over #160...

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/013.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/012.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/009.jpg

 

The inktestpage written with

STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

filled with PELIKAN Brilliant Brown ink.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/0012.jpg

 

The Colophon

written with :

PELIKAN M620 <B> DIY Stub

filled with DIAMINE Monaco Red

and

ROSETTA North Star <M> CI by pb2

filled with NOODLERS X-Feather (black)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/0022.jpg

 

 

Writing paper is

NATURALIS Absolute White, 135gsm, Matte :thumbup:

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each, total 112 writing pages

Unlined, (plain)

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/008.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/022.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/019.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20160%20FPD/Journal%20160A%20FP%20Day%202012/020.jpg

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Posted (edited)

This is Journal #157B "Blue Waves" made on order ...

 

This is the Light Rust variant

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157B%20Blue%20Waves/007_zpsc60e2ec7.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157B%20Blue%20Waves/009_zps42e604c5.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157B%20Blue%20Waves/012_zpsc4c2053c.jpg

 

 

The brilliant blue fabric is striking. The threads don't have to do much to add to its aesthetics.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157B%20Blue%20Waves/001_zps08ac79c3.jpg

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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wow, tm lee---those are really cool---i like the blue wave, esp.---beautiful

 

Thanks.

Yes the shade of blue is striking ...

Very nice print ..

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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This is Journal #157C "Blue Waves" to be gifted away

 

This is the third variant of the "Blue Waves" journal.

 

Here , I am trying out something different .

Its a monotone scheme where I only used blue.

Blue threads , blue covers, blue pagemarker, blue flyleaves.

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/001.jpg

 

Blue thread 1mm

The blue thread matches the lighter blue lines on the fabric whilst

the ribbon pagemarker matches the darker blue hue

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/006.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/007.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/010.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/009.jpg

 

Textured blue flyleaves, heavy at 170gsm , nice :thumbup:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/012.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/013.jpg

 

Braided elastic band, a nicer band ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/005.jpg

 

The blue thread 'jumps out' when it catches the reflection of the light

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/003.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/008.jpg

 

The inktestpage ..

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/014.jpg

 

The colophon page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20157%20Blue%20Waves/Journal%20157C%20Blue%20Waves/016.jpg

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Posted (edited)

This is Journal #161 "Music III"

 

This is a third journal series bearing a music theme.

A nice black fabric print bearing sketches of musical instruments.

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/001.jpg

 

Rear

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/007.jpg

 

Band deployed

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/008.jpg

 

I decided to use the khaki hue for the accent colour.

Braided polyester cord 150D , Rice Brown

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/005.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/006.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/004.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/019.jpg

 

Fullspread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/009.jpg

 

Champagne coloured flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/011.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/012.jpg

 

The inktestpage

done with a STIPULA Etruria Alter Ego <0.9> Stub

PELIKAN Brilliant Brown ink

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/013.jpg

 

The Colophon

written with a

PELIKAN M620 Chicago <B> DIY Stub

filled with DIAMINE Monaco Red

and

ROSETTA North Star <M> CI byy pb2

NOODLERS Black

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20161%20Music%20III/014.jpg

 

7 Signatures, 4 Folios each, 112 pages total

Paper is

NACHI Light Grey , 124gsm, smooth

Edited by TMLee

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Posted

#161 'music lll'---very cool, TM---i want one

 

 

Sure ,

I have material enough to craft :

 

3 x A6 and

1 x A5 journals

 

I just emailed you

 

:thumbup:

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Posted

This is Journal #162 "Autumn"

 

Front

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/001.jpg

 

I chose orange as the accent

Stitches

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/005.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/017.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/016.jpg

 

Flyleaves

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/008.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/009.jpg

 

Fullspread

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/010.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/011.jpg

 

 

The inktestpage

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/013.jpg

 

The Colophon

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/014.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/2011/2012/2012%20Journals/Journal%20162%20Autumn/003.jpg

 

Paper is

NATURALIS Soft White , Smooth , 135gsm

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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  • 2 weeks later...
TMLee Antique

TMLee

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Posted

Just found out that the link in my signature below wasn't working all this time. :bonk:

 

Just fixed it.

 

Take a look :D

... 671 crafted ... one at a time ... ☺️

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      By A Smug Dill · Posted

      It is the reason why I'm so keen on the idea of a personal library — of pens, nibs, inks, paper products, etc. — and spent so much money, as well as time and effort, to “build” it for myself (because I can't simply remember everything, especially as I'm getting older fast) and my wife, so that we can “know”; and, instead of just disposing of what displeased us, or even just not good enough to be “given the time of day” against competition from >500 other pens and >500 other inks for our at
    • adamselene
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By adamselene · Posted

      Agreed.  And I think it’s good to be aware of this early on and think about at the point of buying rather than rationalizing a purchase..
    • A Smug Dill
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By A Smug Dill · Posted

      Alas, one cannot know “good” without some idea of “bad” against which to contrast; and, as one of my former bosses (back when I was in my twenties) used to say, “on the scale of good to bad…”, it's a spectrum, not a dichotomy. Whereas subjectively acceptable (or tolerable) and unacceptable may well be a dichotomy to someone, and finding whether the threshold or cusp between them lies takes experiencing many degrees of less-than-ideal, especially if the decision is somehow influenced by factors o
    • adamselene
      Skeleton of a primer for a budding hobbyist

      By adamselene · Posted

      I got my first real fountain pen on my 60th birthday and many hundreds of pens later I’ve often thought of what I should’ve known in the beginning. I have many pens, the majority of which have some objectionable feature. If they are too delicate, or can’t be posted, or they are too precious to face losing , still they are users, but only in very limited environments..  I have a big disliking for pens that have the cap jump into the air and fly off. I object to Pens that dry out, or leave blobs o

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