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Thread: Which papers to try out

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    Default Which papers to try out

    Which paper would you recommend to try out, apart from Rhodia, Clairefontaine and tomoe river? I'm looking for some fountain pen friendly paper to try out. Thanks.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    It depends on what you can get easily and fairly cheaply that works well for you. I've tried Midori, Elco - James Velin, Papyrus, Fabriano, Basildon Bond, Three Candlesticks and Bank Writing Paper from Japan. I type "buy writing paper UK" into the Google search box and see what comes up. Alternatively I search on Amazon and on ebay.

    The most important thing to decide is whether you like smooth or laid (textured) paper. I'm not a fan of laid papers.
    Last edited by Chrissy; May 3rd, 2021 at 04:38 AM.
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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Midori and Tomoe River 68 gr...

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Thanks, but I'm looking for anything that handles fountain pens well and is not Tomoe River, Rhodia or Clairefontaine - I've tried these already.

    Chrissy, I'll check out some of your suggestions. Thank you.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    My everyday is Oxford Optik - it's inexpensive, very white, and comes in a range of weights, styles and sizes. I tend to buy on Amazon, but there are lots of options in both the Oxford and Black and Red versions. Nicely FP friendly.

    I tend to get these A5 plain versions as daily notebooks: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Clas...roduct&sr=1-21

    though I notice that's a lot more than the tenner I paid for a pack last month.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Quote Originally Posted by adhoc View Post
    Thanks, but I'm looking for anything that handles fountain pens well and is not Tomoe River, Rhodia or Clairefontaine - I've tried these already.
    Just in case the classic TR 50 is different from 68 gr.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    I've heard of Oxford paper before. I'll try to find some.

    TR 68 gsm is actually the paper I prefer over 52 gsm Yazeh. The cream coloured one. Great paper, but I'm thinking about branching out a little bit, try something new

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    If you find any Elco James Velin paper availability I would love to know. I bought mine on Amazon UK and when I last looked they only had envelopes.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    If it is for correspondence you might want to look into Amalfi paper.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Gutenberg Museum has also some interesting paper.....
    They sell also vellum, and textured notebook... But the shipping is really expensive even in Europe...

    You can obviously justify it, by getting their dip pen inks, their truly amazing bible ink (if you're into Iron gall inks) or their aniline inks ....

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    If you find any Elco James Velin paper availability I would love to know. I bought mine on Amazon UK and when I last looked they only had envelopes.
    The problem is that before Brexit, I ordered everything from the UK. Now it's basically impossible and stupid expensive and I'm out of the best stores both me and my wife spent thousands at. The writing desk, the journal shop, cult pens, etc etc. Brexit actually had a huge impact on me, because I bought everything from the UK, even clothes and stuff. A jacket that costs 200€ in UK costs 400+ over here.

    Thanks for the links Yazeh, I'm at the moment in the process of gathering advice and then I'll check out and compare which and where to buy. I'm just looking for some paper diversity to toy around with and practice some calligraphy, so I don't really care if it's a notebook or loose leaf or whatever.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Quote Originally Posted by adhoc View Post
    Thanks for the links Yazeh, I'm at the moment in the process of gathering advice and then I'll check out and compare which and where to buy. I'm just looking for some paper diversity to toy around with and practice some calligraphy, so I don't really care if it's a notebook or loose leaf or whatever.
    A fairly recent new entry, for basic use, is Ayush Paper (India) sold by Peyton Street Pens. They come in dbl-ring steno pads, have just a hint of texture and seem bombproof for feathering, bleed, show-through, etc. Perforated tops work well for a relatively clean edge and they are fairly economical. A4 and A5 sizes in various line configurations. Link to page.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Thanks Jon. I also got another suggestion that I really like:

    https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/8755...on0=1705309863

    For anyone coming to this thread in the future.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Quote Originally Posted by adhoc View Post

    The problem is that before Brexit, I ordered everything from the UK. Now it's basically impossible and stupid expensive and I'm out of the best stores both me and my wife spent thousands at. The writing desk, the journal shop, cult pens, etc etc. Brexit actually had a huge impact on me, because I bought everything from the UK, even clothes and stuff. A jacket that costs 200€ in UK costs 400+ over here.

    Thanks for the links Yazeh, I'm at the moment in the process of gathering advice and then I'll check out and compare which and where to buy. I'm just looking for some paper diversity to toy around with and practice some calligraphy, so I don't really care if it's a notebook or loose leaf or whatever.
    If I was you I would check whether all of the places you mention are now charging you prices exclusive of VAT because the only difference should be that you pay the VAT when you receive the item instead of paying it within the original buying price. There may also be a delivery charge that your local delivery service adds on but most of the charge will be the 20% VAT that you've always paid. You now pay this VAT to your Customs instead. Have you tried placing an order to see exactly what the difference is?
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Yes, and so far it is VAT equivalent to UK's tax AND VAT at import + import fees (which are outrageous all on their own). I don't know if this will change, because it doesn't seem reasonable, or it was just the policy of that one store or what...

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    You will love the Cosmo Air Light paper which I also purchased from an Etsy shop, another Seller, TAROKO Shop, which offers free shipping when orders total $35.00, which was 2 notebooks.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Quote Originally Posted by adhoc View Post
    Yes, and so far it is VAT equivalent to UK's tax AND VAT at import + import fees (which are outrageous all on their own). I don't know if this will change, because it doesn't seem reasonable, or it was just the policy of that one store or what...
    You should absolutely not be paying VAT twice. That is never correct.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    Endless Recorder notebooks (68gsm TR), Cosmo Air, Mnemosyne, Munken, Life (especially Life Pistachio), Midori Diary (not Midori Cotton), Kleid, Franklin Christoph, Ito, Leuchtturm....a lot of these are notebooks, if I want them as single sheets, I just carefully tear them out then trim the edges neatly with a paper cutter.

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    This is a Walmart Exceed Notebook 100gsm paper (my wife got a few for me when they were on sale).



    Excellent coating. I love doing sketches with washes on this paper.
    - Will
    Unique and restored vintage pens: Redeem Pens

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    Default Re: Which papers to try out

    I thought my favorite was tomoe (with Stalogy being extremely similar) but to my surprise I have also very much enjoyed MD Cotton (available in a unique pad with 2 sides gummed and one corner cut away). I did not like basildon bond. You might like to get the pad of paper samples for fountain pens assembled by Yamamoto which includes the cosmo air light paper that is the latest fad after tomoe. Fountainpenlove.com also sells packs of paper samples which might be of interest.

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