A nice absorbent, spready paper which doesn't bleed?

[JO01]

Hi all,

 

I've been writing using Clairefontaine and Optik papers which aren't very absorbent at all, my MB fine nib end M1000 medium nib aren't really showing much personality on those papers.  Not that I'd expect much from the MB, but the M1000 should really look better than it does.

 

So I'm looking for some paper that will work well with the M1000, which will show that lovely paintbrush of a nib properly, but which won't bleed through to the other side.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions please - I'm in the UK, so ideally something I can source locally.

 

Thanks.

[Al-fresco]

Tomoe River is the answer - if you can find it!  For notebooks I like Endless and Leuchturm1917 (but not Leuchurm's A4 size - I find that bleeds badly with moderately wet pens and inks.  Ayush makes good pads - I used to get them from Writehere in Shrewsbury - excellent for broader, wetter nibs.  Writehere also have some Nortorie Kioni which I like.  I'd avoid Moderno - good for fine nibs but feathers and bleeds on broader ones.  Muji could be hit and miss but they've closed their Birmingham store.  Pity.

 

[Stompie]

1 hour ago, JO01 said:

Hi all,

 

I've been writing using Clairefontaine and Optik papers which aren't very absorbent at all, my MB fine nib end M1000 medium nib aren't really showing much personality on those papers.  Not that I'd expect much from the MB, but the M1000 should really look better than it does.

 

So I'm looking for some paper that will work well with the M1000, which will show that lovely paintbrush of a nib properly, but which won't bleed through to the other side.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions please - I'm in the UK, so ideally something I can source locally.

 

Thanks.

Have you tried Coffee Notes paper?

 

I have a few of their books, I am uncertain if they do loose leaf, and they absorb well but no bleed through or ghosting. I do use them for writing letter by disassembling them. 

They have both blank and lined versions

It is a unique process in that they are recycling paper coffee cups and they have won environmental awards. 

The owners and inventors are an elderly couple down on the south coast, Dorset actually.

 

I just found a link to them : https://coffeenotes.shop/?srsltid=AfmBOopGeEwlRs1f3igN4hThQxrjQq7tuWHL7bHhnraGq4sQ2kw1lN9M

 

I have used Pilot Parallel pens 3.8mm nibs on them and they hold up very well unless of course I throw huge amounts of ink on the page by going over letters a few times!

[Ted Nashe]

 

For notebooks, the below are good: 120gsm paper. They're relatively cheap too:

 

https://amzn.eu/d/7kaqZKM

 

 

For writing paper, I'd go with Basildon Bond. I use it all the time for my correspondence. Below is a review (the first half of the video):

 

 

Write on 📝

[JO01]

On 11/5/2025 at 10:54 AM, Al-fresco said:

Tomoe River

 

On 11/5/2025 at 4:54 PM, Ted Nashe said:

Basildon Bond

(parts of posts snipped deliberately)

 

Thanks both, I'll have a look.

 

(and sadly, the M1000 has gone back due to hard starting)

[Penguincollector]

   I’m sorry to hear about your M1000 having been returned, it really is a shame that it was so defective. Some papers that I really enjoy are: Cosmo Air Snow, LIFE, MUJI High Quality, Tomoe River, Endless Regalia, and Yamamoto Canopus. I know that Choosing Keeping stocks many of these. I hope you find another pen as lovely as the M1000 that actually works. I find that sometimes, the secondary market is good for these types of pens because a reputable retailer will examine the pen before buying it. Try Izods Pens, I trust them.