Paper question

[Puff Daddy]

Does anyone have any ideas for a good paper sold in some form of bulk? I picked up some handwriting theory and practice books (spencerian penmanship theory and workbooks, italic writing book) and want to use my fountain pens on decent paper to practice with, but the few Rhodia books I have are rather pricey, not to mention bound. It would be a lot easier to have some bulk loose sheets.

 

[Blackhorse]

The real question is...fine fountain pen paper or cheap copier paper paper?

If you want really good stuff...Tomoe River loose leaf cream or white A4. It's super thin so putting it atop a lined quite sheet works well. It does not bleed, feather, etc. It is not absorbent so ink dries on top of it rather than soaking in and drying fast. Really shows any potential shading or whatnot.

$15 per 100 sheets...most major pen sites have it. Buy two packs at Jet and it ships free.

http://www.jetpens.com/Loose-Leaf-Paper/ct/2696

 

[Puff Daddy]

Fine fountain pen paper. Spencerian writing, stub and/or italic nib.

 

[Blackhorse]

You can buy 5 sheets of the Tomoe River paper for buck, most vendors. Give it a try.

PM me your address and I'll mail mail you some samples.

 

[Carlos]

I don't know what the paper actually is in these. I had two of them. Pricey. But a nice rustic sort of paper that fountain pens write well on. The wife snatched them both as decorations in her John Wayne living room.

http://www.rustico.com/store/leather-journals/hand-sewn/parley-leather-journal-with-flap-tie-closure

 

[Blackhorse]

I guess you could call and ask. Didn't seem to be noted anywhere I saw.

 

[Carlos]

Here is a description of some of the items. You can see the texture of the paper.

http://www.rustico.com/handmade-quality/

 

[Blackhorse]

Well, I looked around but couldn't see the texture of any paper. Where would that be?

Besides, how well a paper holds up to fountain pen inks often depends not only on surface texture (should be very smooth) but also on specific component materials and surface treatments applied during manufacture. Like the classic & wonderful Clairfontaine papers made in France (used in Rhoda stuff) has some kind of ceramic coating...and the unique formula of the Tomoe River papers...super high tech resulting in a paper nearly onion skin thin but that totally withstands feathering and bleed through.

 

[Carlos]

Did you scroll down? Not a big picture. But it gives a bit of description of the paper.

 

[Blackhorse]

For some reason when I use the link it just takes me to the main page...not the "handmade-quality" extension. I'm not getting to go there. WTHeck?

 

[Carlos]

From the main page, go to About Us and a menu should appear. If not, you have it blocked for some reason.

 

[Richard Burley]

I have a paper question: why search for a "fine" paper for practice with a fountain pen? I understand wanting something smooth that doesn't bleed, but I've found suitable stuff at Staples in one of their bargain bins, cheap. Think it comes from India, if memory serves. (Can't find it at the moment for some reason.)

 

[Blackhorse]

Yeah, I think my iPad is getting different menus than you are. About Us takes me to a couple of bios for the founders, etc.

I looked at a number of the different journals, etc. in detail and at another section that shows me that different items have very different papers. Some are even deckle edged, others ivory or white...so I'm guessing there are a number of different papers used. I also saw some standard Field Notes packs for sale.

If I were to recommend anything specific it would be either of the two weights of Tomoe River or something in the 80gsm ballpark from Clairfontaine ( like in Rhoda products).

And some of the Japanese papers, like Kokuyo, etc. are made for really cool ring binders that you can pop sheets in and out of. Plus they come with widely differing grid or line widths to match what you prefer.

http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Loose-Leaf-Paper-Sarasara-A4-5-mm-Graph-30-Holes-50-Sheets/pd/9957

http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Adapt-Slim-Binders/ct/1662

However...this  is the stuff that dreams are made of...

http://www.jetpens.com/Tomoe-River-Paper-A4-Cream-100-Sheets/pd/12567

Or how about 200 sheets of A4 Clairfontaine for a good price? And, look around here...nice selection.

http://www.shopwritersbloc.com/clairefontaine-loose-sheets--a4-lined-w-margin-200-p4200.html