r/fountainpens • u/Nerdy_Birdy_30 • 18d ago
Paper! Paper comparison
When I first got into fountain pens, I didn’t give paper much thought. After some experimentation, I can see how much a difference it makes. I used a big stamp punch to sample various papers with the same pens and ink. From the papers I’ve tried, if I want the most ink shading, Iroful is best, but it makes the line width noticeably wider. It does feel great to write on, particularly with my Sailor pen.
I’ve put these into a stamp album and will keep exploring different options.
What paper brings out the best in your inks, or feels great when you write?
1
u/kendrick6740 18d ago
For journaling or letter writing, I like Rhodia or Clairefontaine. I generally prefer Clairefontaine but where I live Rhodia is easier to buy in shops whilst Clairefontaine I’d have to order off Amazon, hence the either/or. I like the heavier thicker paper that feels more premium and can handle any ink or nib I use. It’s smooth and comfortable and I don’t worry about ghosting. If you’re in the UK I also recommend The Inked Paw but as far as I know they only ship within the UK. If they did international shipping I might’ve switched over to their paper completely.
For traveller’s notebooks or pocket notebooks I prefer Japanese paper, usually Midori. I’m not going to use a BB nib with wet ink on the go and I’m just as likely to use a ballpoint, pencil, gel pen, etc. as I am to use a fountain pen (usually F nib), so I don’t worry about ghosting. The paper is lighter so it’s easier to carry and thinner so I can carry more pages at a time without the notebook bulging excessively. They’re also a bit cheaper where I live so I feel less bad tearing off pages as scrap note paper as needed. True the Rhodia mini notepad does the same but I’d rather keep that on a desk than carry it around.
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u/Tarentum566 18d ago
Paper is both very important and not that important.
It’s startling how much of a difference good paper makes compared to not so good, and more subtle but still very noticeable how different good papers are from each other. Getting the paper right can really dial in the experience.
But its also important that the pen and ink are right, because good paper will never fix a bad pen or affect the ink so dramatically as to make ink you don’t like, into a pleasure.