Tomoe River 52 Vs 68 Grs

[fugel]

Hi guys,

I would love to ask you about your impressions concerning the different performance of Tomoe River paper. I love both but I have experimented that inks on the thinner version tend to sheen a bit more than on the thicker version. I guess this is because the thicker version is more absorbent. The shading is almost the same I would say, but sheen is better on 52 grs version. At least from my experience.

What are your impressions on both versions?

[Chrissy]

In my experience, 52gsm is slicker and smoother. It shows up sheen and shading very well, but can suffer from show through and bleed through.

 

68gsm isn't as slick and feels more absorbent, but it does still show up the shimmer in shimmer inks, and sheen in many inks. Less show through and bleed through.

[Fermata]

I have only used one sheet of the thin TR paper and its just way too thin, my pen almost came through the other side. I like the 68 gsm paper and had had some small notebooks made up from the paper.

[sodiumnitrate]

For me price is also a consideration. I didn't try the 68 gsm version, and I would like to, but whatever I found is almost twice as expensive as the 52 gsm version.

[migo984]

In addition to weight differences, you also need to consider that there are performance differences between colours (cream or white), in both weights, as well as variances dependent on the source of your paper. For example, the white 52gsm paper in loose sheets that I’ve bought in bulk from Japan does not show-through to the same extent as white 52gsm paper pads and sheets I’ve bought from stockists in U.K., USA, & Australia.

 

The white 68gsm is more absorbent, with a softer surface texture, than the cream 68gsm, which has a more crinkly feel. This seems the opposite to the 52gsm white v. cream. I have 68gsm notebooks from 4 different sources & 3 of them do perform differently from each other.

 

Tomoegawa is also very sensitive according to the grain (long or short) of the paper i.e. the direction of the fibres. I think some stockists have pads of paper cut with a long grain, and this definitely performs differently, especially with very wet inks. As this paper is made specifically for the print industry (fountain pen suitability being just a fortuitous characteristic) I also think the sizing emphasises the effect of the grain.

 

Finally the date of production can be an issue. My paper from >6 years ago feels & performs differently to the papers I buy now.

 

Overall I prefer the 52gsm as it better suits a wider range of nibs, ink flows, and inks.

[fugel]

Thanks Migo, great explanation. Much appreciated.

I have a similar experience with Rhodia paper over the years. Some notebooks don't behave as good as others. I am starting to be aware how sensitive the paper can be using fountain pens.

[migo984]

Thanks Migo, great explanation. Much appreciated.

I have a similar experience with Rhodia paper over the years. Some notebooks don't behave as good as others. I am starting to be aware how sensitive the paper can be using fountain pens.

 

Absolutely agree. Paper is really critical to FP and ink performance. That’s why, if you take any notice of ink reviews, the very best ones are those which demonstrate an ink’s performance on a whole range of papers and in various pens.

[Chrissy]

I have a similar experience with Rhodia paper over the years. Some notebooks don't behave as good as others. I am starting to be aware how sensitive the paper can be using fountain pens.

 

My Nanami Seven Seas Writer Journal paper shows through much more than my A4 sheets of Tomoe River paper do when I'm writing letters.

[egretsrus]

My A5 Seven Seas journal is finally almost full, but the Nanami website says the Writer version (lined) is sold out. I'd consider getting a journal with this paper and the same number of pages elsewhere if I could find another source. I have a Gfeller leather cover for the Seven Seas notebook and want the new journal to fit into the same cover.

Any ideas?

Edited November 30, 2017 by egretsrus

[yeepers]

I will preface this post by saying I have no affiliation to this company other than I know the owner and I own 4 of the notebooks myself (paid full price).

 

Have y'all considered the Hippo Noto notebooks? Tomoe River. 68gsm. 500 pages. Super great performer and a really awesome price. Figboot did a very recent review on Youtube if you look it up (not sure if I am allowed to post links).

 

Cheers!

[GranTorino25]

Another one is Taroko Shop on Etsy (although they may be on a short holiday?). I'm waiting on my first, 68gsm and looks very nicely see out!!

[Chrissy]

I will preface this post by saying I have no affiliation to this company other than I know the owner and I own 4 of the notebooks myself (paid full price).

 

Have y'all considered the Hippo Noto notebooks? Tomoe River. 68gsm. 500 pages. Super great performer and a really awesome price. Figboot did a very recent review on Youtube if you look it up (not sure if I am allowed to post links).

 

Cheers!

 

Yes you can post helpful links.

[fugel]

I will preface this post by saying I have no affiliation to this company other than I know the owner and I own 4 of the notebooks myself (paid full price).

 

Have y'all considered the Hippo Noto notebooks? Tomoe River. 68gsm. 500 pages. Super great performer and a really awesome price. Figboot did a very recent review on Youtube if you look it up (not sure if I am allowed to post links).

 

Cheers!

 

I didn't know these. They look like Moleskines !!!. But the shipping prices to Europe are 'painful'. :-(

 

Thanks yeepers to share this.

[Mew]

I have extensively used both 52gsm and 68gsm Tomoe River in Cream (don't like white). My observation is that 52gsm is smoother, less absorbent and shows more sheen and shading than 68gsm for the same pen and ink combination. I have completely stopped using 68gsm and switched entirely to 52gsm for this reason.

 

There are a few notebooks for 52gsm:

Paper for fountain pens - B5 I think

Nanami Seven Seas

Many custom ones who make the journal according to your specifications.

 

For 68gsm

Taroko

Hippo Noto

 

I saw the Hippo Noto. Very thick. Irrespective of whether it lies flat or not, you are going to have problem in writing on the first and last 100 pages or so. I wouldn't recommend this. 400 pages of 52gsm are thick enough as it is, 500 of 68gsm is going to be more of a bother.

[SpecTP]

The Seven Seas A5 are my favorite notebooks. The pages lie flat regardless of which page you are on and a single notebook lasts quite a long time. The pages are thin, but ink does NOT bleed through.

[inkypete]

I have extensively used both 52gsm and 68gsm Tomoe River in Cream (don't like white). My observation is that 52gsm is smoother, less absorbent and shows more sheen and shading than 68gsm for the same pen and ink combination. I have completely stopped using 68gsm and switched entirely to 52gsm for this reason.

 

There are a few notebooks for 52gsm:

Paper for fountain pens - B5 I think

Nanami Seven Seas

Many custom ones who make the journal according to your specifications.

 

For 68gsm

Taroko

Hippo Noto

 

I saw the Hippo Noto. Very thick. Irrespective of whether it lies flat or not, you are going to have problem in writing on the first and last 100 pages or so. I wouldn't recommend this. 400 pages of 52gsm are thick enough as it is, 500 of 68gsm is going to be more of a bother.

 

Thanks for that feedback.

[IndigoBOB]

I haven't tried 68 gsm yet. Though the Taroko notebook has just made my list.

 

I like some of the things they are doing with the Hippo Notebook, but it's too thick for me and I'd prefer a full A5 size. Hopefully they have a baby Hippo.

 

I'm hooked on the compactness of 52 gsm Nanami notebooks, not that 68 gsm isn't compact compared to other popular notebooks.

 

The thinness and showthrough of 52 gsm doesn't bother me at all and I use the darkest and most saturated inks I can find usually. It's present, but since there's no bleedthrough it's much less of a bother.

 

The only times I honestly got bleedthrough was when the nib I used was on the sharper/finer side and it cut the paper a tiny bit. I use Fines-->Broads. The inkflow out of my pens has been amazing.

[dezorz]

I have extensively used both 52gsm and 68gsm Tomoe River in Cream (don't like white). My observation is that 52gsm is smoother, less absorbent and shows more sheen and shading than 68gsm for the same pen and ink combination. I have completely stopped using 68gsm and switched entirely to 52gsm for this reason.

 

 

 

I agree. I dont like 68gsm TR too. 52gsm Tomoe River is my preffered paper and I tried most japanese (and many non japanese) fountain pen papers.

[IndigoBOB]

I wouldn't mind using 68gsm. I have some nibs that could use a rougher surface than the 52 gsm. I wouldn't mind trying the Hippo, but I wish there was a Lined A5 like it that wasn't as thick. If nothing like that comes out I'll definitely have to give the Hippo a try.

[IndigoBOB]

Well, I couldn't resist... Had to... Ordered a Hippo Noto Ivory Black/Blue notebook : )