LESS smooth, not MORE (or less is more)

[Saintpaulia]

I've realized just this week (novice here) that Clairefontaine paper, and Rhodia a close second, are too smooth for my (a) hand-writing, (b) pens, (c) inks, (d) all. I currently have a Rhodia "elasti book" and a Clairefontaine 15 x21 cm cloth bound notebook. Both will not be renewed when I run out of pages. On order is what I hope will be a much less smooth paper, the Banditapple notebook.

Are there other notebooks/papers that are also not as fanatical about smoothness, or so sensitive to a modicum of hand oils. and not as absolutely phobic about bleed-through? Given my experiences of late I'd gladly trade a bit of bleed-through for some "toothiness" to my papers. Now I'm not speaking here of laid papers, what G. Lalo calls "verge". Those are a separate category. I mean just plain old white everyday paper that doesn't make my pens slide off the page! And, again are not so sensitive about a modicum of hand oils?

My pens and I thank you in advance.
Breck in very dry Spokane.

[KrazyIvan]

I ordered a Banditapple Agenda book and the paper is nice. Toothy and does not bleed. I think you might like it. You might do well with Kokuyo notebooks but they are pricey. The Wire bound edge notebook might be up your alley. My review: http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/864-Hand-Written-Kokuyo-Edge-Title-Notebook-Review and the link to the jetpens.com page: http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Edge-Title-Twin-Ring-Notebook-A5-5.8-X-8.3-28-Lines-50-Sheets-Black-Cover/pd/6754

Piccadilly might also have something you like. If you have a Barnes & Noble close by, they sometimes have some on clearance that you can get for a good price to just try out. They might be more prone to bleeding.

[Saintpaulia]

I ordered a Banditapple Agenda book and the paper is nice. Toothy and does not bleed. I think you might like it. You might do well with Kokuyo notebooks but they are pricey. The Wire bound edge notebook might be up your alley. My review: http://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/864-Hand-Written-Kokuyo-Edge-Title-Notebook-Review and the link to the jetpens.com page: http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Edge-Title-Twin-Ring-Notebook-A5-5.8-X-8.3-28-Lines-50-Sheets-Black-Cover/pd/6754

Piccadilly might also have something you like. If you have a Barnes & Noble close by, they sometimes have some on clearance that you can get for a good price to just try out. They might be more prone to bleeding.
Thanks Lord Vader. I feel much better about my order to Goulet of Banditapple! As for B & N they also carry a line called Ecosystem which seemed promising and so I ordered one of those thru them. It has to be brought in as they do not carry them in store. At least not out here in the Hinterlands of America.

[KrazyIvan]

I have Ecosystem stuff and it is about as good as Markings Journals. It bleeds like a murder scene. You may also consider going a drier ink like Lamy Blue-black to mitigate bleed. finer nibs are also recommended for bleed prone paper.

[Saintpaulia]

I have Ecosystem stuff and it is about as good as Markings Journals. It bleeds like a murder scene. You may also consider going a drier ink like Lamy Blue-black to mitigate bleed. finer nibs are also recommended for bleed prone paper.

I believe I read a review of it here on this forum, even on this sub-forum*. The reviewer was not quite so harsh re: the bleeding as a 'murder scene'! :butcher: I guess I am going to try all kinds and see...next up learn more about Picadilly (the paper not the London area) :cheers:

* P.S. Yes it was CarpeDavid

[KrazyIvan]

LOL. :D

I forgot one and they have wirebound notebooks. Try doane paper (http://doanepaper.bigcartel.com/) too. They have two sizes in the side bound. They also have a top bound jotter. Toothy paper with better bleed handling properties.

[Saintpaulia]

Hey there Ivan, those are nice and just what I am looking for, side bound, spiral, 100 pages, etc. But why do they have to put those grid lines in every one of their journals? That insistence may kill the deal for me.

[KrazyIvan]

That's doane paper's thing. Grid+Lines. I don't mind it much.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Anything CHEAP along those lines? I feel a hankering after spiral- bounds. So far the Staples brand bagasse books are nice for fps, have cool tan lines, but I actually LIKE grid paper. Helps me to doodle. ;-p

[Saintpaulia]

Anything CHEAP along those lines? I feel a hankering after spiral- bounds. So far the Staples brand bagasse books are nice for fps, have cool tan lines, but I actually LIKE grid paper. Helps me to doodle. ;-p
Well Sailor if you like grid paper and spiral bounds then you will really like the Douane, http://doanepaper.bigcartel.com/product/idea-journal-5-25-x-6-875 It's not my cup of tea though. Lines are sufficient for me. Thanks for the feedback on the sugar cane paper at Staples. I've yet to get over to mine to discover that they don't carry it! :(

[KrazyIvan]

I have the Staples composition books and yes, they are good. Only thing is that on FPN there is a thread that either the paper changed or the books are getting scarce. I forget which. I have to try and go to Staples but it's in the next city north of me. Not too far but not convenient.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Well Sailor if you like grid paper and spiral bounds then you will really like the Douane, http://doanepaper.bigcartel.com/product/idea-journal-5-25-x-6-875 It's not my cup of tea though. Lines are sufficient for me. Thanks for the feedback on the sugar cane paper at Staples. I've yet to get over to mine to discover that they don't carry it! :(

Innnteresting, thanks!

[jacksterp]

Ivan, if you get the chance could you cross the police tape and post a few picks of the murder scene.

I have had very good results with Ecosystems.

Thanks,
Jack

[KrazyIvan]

Ivan, if you get the chance could you cross the police tape and post a few picks of the murder scene.

I have had very good results with Ecosystems.

Thanks,
Jack

I gave it to my daughter. I'll check and see if she still has it.

[Nonsensical]

I've been using Kokuyo Campus refills (B5 sized), the S836A series. Nice feedback, doesn't have bleedthrough even when I'm using a 3.8mm italic nib, and is relatively cheap. I've been using it with a "Smartring" binder, which is slim and very light. Great for carrying around, and gives you plenty of flexibility. Jetpens has it here: http://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Loose-Leaf-Paper-B5-7-mm-Rule-26-Holes-100-Sheets-Bundle-of-5/pd/9415

I've been buying from China (where I'm located right now), and it's a bit cheaper than in the US, but at around $5/100 sheets from Jetpens, it's still a great deal.

[Pendragon]

For writing papers, Crane letter sheets are excellent and not overly slick/smooth.