Skipping on Clairefontaine notebook

[Lugworm]

My pens don't seem to like this paper.  I get a lot of skipping.  Is it my nibs or is the paper too smooth or something?  I thought Clairefontaine would be good (it feels nice) but I have better results on much cheaper, often unbranded paper.

 

[LizEF]

From everything I know, it's a combination of the super-smooth paper surface and super-polished nibs (and if the nib has even a little baby's bottom, it's even worse).  In theory, there might be some inks that do better, but that's really a guess on my part.  Also, it's possible (again, I don't know) that Clairefontaine is more susceptible to picking up skin oils, so you could try putting something under your hand while writing.

 

Finally, you could try different writing surfaces under the paper - single sheet direct on the desk or other hard surface, or with something softer underneath like a stack of papers or a leather desk blotter.

 

FWIW, I really don't like Clairefontaine.  I find it does a worse job than Rhodia and other papers at showing shading and sheen, and I don't like the feel - the paper is too hard.  I know others love it, but it's not for me.

 

PS: I really like your signature.

[Lugworm]

I think you have hit the nail on the head.

Will try your suggestions.

 

Glad you like my signature.

 

[A Smug Dill]

11 hours ago, Lugworm said:

I get a lot of skipping.  Is it my nibs or is the paper too smooth or something?

 

If you keep the type of paper as the constant in the equation, you can always try 1. a different nib that you know from experience gives you a noticeable (but not overwhelming or debilitating) amount of feedback when writing with it, and (then) 2. a different ink you know is ‘wetter’ or more free-flowing in your pen of first choice, if the goal is to answer the question (i.e. get information) as opposed to avoid skipping while still using the exact same paper, pen and ink combination.

[irrigger]

I will notice skipping on Clairefontaine towards the middle and bottom of the page. I figured out is was from oils from my hand resting on that portion of the page before I wrote that far. My solution was to use a separate piece of paper to act as a shield.