Comparison: Writing Paper (Correspondence)

[@DBCuzitis]

I have worked in the printing industry for some time (15+ years) and the simplest and cheapest solution for your beautiful pad folios is available I think. Print shops have powered guillotines for 'cropping' stacks of paper or prints. It is a simple and inexpensive job to cut a stack of pads down to a desired size. Give them a stack of pads (any pad or paper you like) and they should be able to trim them to size for a negligible fee. Forget those lost trimmings! Enjoy your beautiful pad holders😊

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for the tip - I'll have a look in the local company and see if they can do it.

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

or even a light metal shop with an old metal break/press cutting.

[@adwnpinoy]

Nice 16710 GMT. You can tell it’s been with you through many adventures

[@writerlywitterings]

It certainly did!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

I use TOmoe River paper for all my correspondence and I use both sides of the paper with no issues and it is cheaper to use than clairefontaine which I find to be too thick. I basically cannot afford to send letters on clairefontaine paper. Tomoe river works fine if you use the right nibs and inks.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have used Tomoe, but I hate the way it crinkles when it gets damp - probably because I only really like pens that gush, I suppose. But for general correspondence I prefer heavier weight paper.

[@stampinsan]

Great look at some beautiful papers! Thanks so much.

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad you like them! I've been promised some more shortly, so looking forward to sharing that here as well!

[@alexsandra9000]

Thank you for covering this topic. Well done.

[@writerlywitterings]

My pleasure! Thanks so much for the support!

[@craft-o-matic399]

@writerlywitterings New subscriber! I would love to see a thorough review on the G. Lalo paper if you are so inclined. Thanks so much for your very informative content! Lisa

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for subbing! I don't have any yet, but I'll look into it.

[@craft-o-matic399]

Thank you! Happy Friday, and have a lovely weekend! Lisa@@writerlywitterings

[@kellieashman6908]

In reference to making A5 paper fit your compendium... this is just a idea but could you take it to a stationary store or book binder for example and have the writing pads cut to size to fit? It might not be worth the trouble but at least it might be a way to use your lovely compendiums.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much, Kellie. I haven't seen a paper supplier here in the UK who provides that kind of service. I had thought of asking a local publisher to do just that with their industrial guillotine (I wouldn't go near the thing, personally!) but now I suspect that other people here are right, and that I could use a B6 notepad. I'm going to hunt one down! Thanks again for the idea, and thanks for watching!

[@angbane]

Are the old cases meant for classic letter notepads-like the Basildon Bond ones?

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes, and in fact my one always used to be filled with a standard Basildon Bond Airmail notebook (my brother emigrated when I was young, and I wanted to keep in touch). I had thought that there would be lots of notebooks available in that kind of size, but so far I've had no joy hunting for one. I think I may have to buy a larger size and cut it down - but I hate the idea of waste!

[@Richard_Barnes]

Mike, do you still have my letter? Wasn’t that a narrow paper that would fit your Father’s case? Worth a look! Interesting video as I have recently started writing letters again. I think we all should start a little ‘pen pal’ type thing for your channel. I want to write more. Thanks again, appreciate the distraction from now living in what is the highest covid rated city in the UK! DOH! 😂

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes I do, but I'm afraid not. The writing case is about 14.5 x 19 cm - yours is 18 x 23 (roughly). I think the nearest I'm going to find is a B6 notepad (I think 12.5 x 17.6 cm). I really like the idea of a pen pal section for the channel - I really, really like that. Leave it with me. I know KZbin has various little add-ons - a scheme to make a club type of arrangement should be perfectly possible. I'll get back to you on this. Cheers, Richard, Mike

[@jamdiversified9698]

Perhaps you could trim an A5 notepad down to size to fit? A bit off the bottom and side with a Stanley type blade and a steel rule would do the trick! I make my own a5 note books out of a cheap ream of paper I have found works decently with fountain pens. The ready made fountain pen friendly note books cost a fortune down here in Aus.

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, JAMdiversified, Yes, I think a notebook will be prohibitive up here too. Good quality paper is so expensive. Still, I'll keep hunting, although I suspect I'll be taking your advice before long. Luckily, I do have a good cutting mat!

[@BossPenguin]

Hello again Mike, and thank you for the wonderfully entertaining video. Can you imagine, yesterday I opened my letterbox and found a very nice letter inside. Made my day. You really can't get enough handwritten letters. Thank you very much for that, my friend. I will definitely answer as soon as possible, I only have to wait for new paper to arrive, as I have depleted my own supply of writing paper not too long ago. The Rössler really is beautiful paper, but the bleedthrough can get annoying at times. I have ordered some Edelbütten Papier from them to try out, which I think is deckle-edge paper in English if I'm not entirely mistaken. They have several different paper types, but in the sets like yours they usually include their Leinen Papier, which is paper with a linen-like structure (it also includes linen fibers in the making, I think). That's why its so rough in comparison. Oh, and wonderful pronounciation of the German sentence! Thank you again for the letter - it really was a wonderful surprise! Have a great day, mate. Cheers! Chris

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Chris, And thanks again for the wonderful selection of inks and papers! It was really interesting to use their paper. I'll certainly not let it go to waste. But interesting how there are so few decent papers out there for people who like fountain pens. If a small company like William Hannah can produce such paper perfection for his notebooks, I'd have thought others would have done something similar for correspondence. Emails are convenient - but they are often discarded when only half absorbed. People who send letters now can be assured that their writing will be opened, read, and appreciated! Have a great weekend! Mike

[@lyndacoles]

I use Southworth 100% cotton, watermarked 32 lb/120gsm ivory wove printer paper...beautiful quality, takes Fountain Pen wonderfully (although it has a slight tooth). No feathering, no ghosting. You can make your own writing pads, to a size that would fit your Dad’s writing case, using the paper of your own choice by gluing a stack of paper with something called ‘Padding Compound’ along one side...it’s the exact same stuff as they bind notepads with and remains flexible (unlike PVA glue). I get mine from Amazon. I also have one of those vintage writing cases, that I purchased from ebay in the USA and mine fits half-letter sized writing paper beautifully. I just keep an assortment of loose sheets in mine as I like to design and print my own stationery using that lovely 100% cotton paper. I looked, and you can get both the Southworth paper and padding compound from Amazon.co.uk :)

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, I'll have to have a look at that. Many thanks!

[@bearbearjay]

Great video as per normal, Great info, what do you think on Rhodia paper and would a b6 size note book fit in your dads case????

[@writerlywitterings]

Rhodia, I find, enormously variable. I have some notepads which are absolutely faultless, and then I have notebooks which are plain dreadful - feathering, bleed through etc. I suppose the good thing you could say is no shadowing, but that's only because the ink comes through the pages and marks the pages underneath, it's so poor! I don't understand paper companies. Atoma is logical, to my mind. They have "student" quality, which is pretty awful for fountain pens, but they expect school students to use biros or pencils. They have "professional" quality, which is as good as you can find anywhere. There are companies like William Hannah, who have stunningly good paper that is practically bullet-proof, and will take my worst gushers with the most violent inks imaginable. But look at Rhodia, or Moleskine, and you just cannot tell what sort of paper you're getting until you write in it. Madness! Rant over. B6 looks to be the way to go with the writing cases. I'm now off to see where I can buy some good quality papers in that size. I may have to look at a variety to see what works best. Many thanks, and have a great weekend!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

About the lever filled pen how do you ensure you don’t contaminate your ink bottles dipping that in different bottles? How can you tell if it’s clean enough to dip into a different ink bottle?

[@writerlywitterings]

It's just a case of regular flushing. I flush it hugely when changing ink colour, but the benefit is, when using the same ink for a period, the ease and speed of just dunking the nib and operating the lever is - well, joyous!

[@davemcclure9685]

I am having the sample problem with my dads notebook . Pads are slightly to big. Any information regarding filler pads would be helpful. David

[@writerlywitterings]

Aha! If yours is the same as mine, what you need is a smaller pad. Of course, Murphy's Law dictates that I have recently tidied my office, and the notebooks I was talking about are somewhere very safe just now. And I can't find them! However, from memory, I think it was a notebook of about 4.9 inches by 6.9 - which is a B6 size. I found that there were several manufacturers of that size, and I got paper from Basildon Bond, which seemed to fit perfectly and was still very good with my fountain pens. I hope that helps!

[@davemcclure9685]

@@writerlywitterings thank you I am on the way to check out BB. In the mean time I cut the last line from my pad so it will do temporarily. Again thank you!

[@LifeinLancashire]

I'm slightly surprised that you didn't show the good old UK brand - Basildon Bond paper ☺️. I do like the A5 Clairefontaine Triomphe pads. Another good paper is the Italian paper Fedrigoni Splendorgel. This is an 85 gsm paper that as well as being great with fountain pens is also watercolour friendly - though as yet I've not tried it with watercolours. Another paper that I do like is Conqueror Diamond White which is really smooth. The Conqueror wove (if you like a textured paper) does work well with medium/broad nibs.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Annie's I hate the line spacing of the clairefontaine paper pads (too wide) and it’s too opaque to put a line guide underneath.

[@LifeinLancashire]

@@sistergoldenhair0727 The line guide that comes with the A5 plain pad works very well and is perfectly visible. However, I've also made my own narrower line guide for when I write with fine/extra fine nibs as I write much smaller with those nibs.

[@writerlywitterings]

I would have shown Basildon Bond, but I (sadly) don't have any just now. I was really using these because I was given the grey A4 paper recently and it spurred me on to think about writing papers generally. The Italians do make stunning papers, I know. I'll have to try that. Conqueror is always good, but I haven't used it for ages. I'll take your advice on that and try it out again. Many thanks for the suggestions!

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes, I have to admit, I tend not to bother with the line spacers because they never seem quite right for my writing, no matter which pen or nib I'm using!

[@pamelaboxall7015]

@@writerlywitterings I was going to point out that Basildon Bond do a small pad of correspondence paper 178 x 137mm (they call it Duke size) which I think would fit the old writing cases perfectly. I don't find BB do the most fountain pen friendly paper, although I don't think it's any worse than the two brands you showed today.

[@aislingmdoonan]

Hi! The Basildon Bond small letter pad works well, I have a similar case and use it. They have a few different colours and it's suitable for fountain pen. A little bit toothy but still pleasant to write on.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks - I'm hoping to have one of them before long, and will review if I get the chance!

[@Outandaboutwithpoggy]

Before the lockdown I went into my local Morrisons and found hardback A5 notebooks for £1.50 each, strangely the paper is very thin but when using a range of different fountain pens there is no bleed through, ok, the quality is not the best such as Leuchturm ( my favourite brand of notebook ) but I was most impressed with its abilities and for the price was very welcomed

[@writerlywitterings]

One of my favourite papers is ... Office Depot 70gsm. Smooth, behaves impeccably with fountain pens, and is very cheap! I discovered it when I was helping students at Exeter University, and carried on using it for ages afterwards, although I hardly use A4 now, sadly. Price isn't any indicator of paper quality - as the correspondence papers here demonstrate!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Your dad’s case looks like a b6 and a Stalogy b6 notebook should fit it nicely and is very fountain pen friendly paper!!

[@writerlywitterings]

That is a very interesting idea. I'll go look them up - thanks, Tracie, you star!

[@palomabernstein6376]

Thank you for the wonderful review.

[@writerlywitterings]

My pleasure! Many thanks for watching!

[@qiqerod]

You should try the 64gsm B7 Tora - Next paper. Available on Etsy. Very very very nice.

[@writerlywitterings]

I'll have a look out for it. I've recently bought a pack of 40gsm paper, which is surprisingly very good indeed!

[@qiqerod]

@@writerlywitterings And which paper are those if I may ask? By the way I truly truly enjoy your videos sir. 👍🏻 thank you

[@NelsonFJ]

I think the most suitable would be the B6 size. Jetpens has a few notebook options in this size, but no correspondence paper. There is also the Leuchtturm B6 Soft Cover notebook. I think the Rhodia N. 14 (17cmx11cm) notepads might be a good fit for the leather case.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks for that, Nelson. I think you're right about B6. I'm going to see whether I can get hold of a sample or two. The Rhodia would be OK, but a little small - the size I need is about 14.5 x 19 cm. I may have to get something oversized and cut it down - although I really don't want to have to do that!

[@breadyegg]

I was also going to suggest the B size range

[@maryanngriffiths1259]

Enjoyed your review very much!

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sensemaya1]

Would P4TO (178x229mm) fit your cases? Edit: Just been on the Smythson website. Fancy trying their King's paper? Only starts at £194....hahaha. A diary can be yours for only £95 . People must pay these prices. And Aspinal outsource their Filofax inserts to an Italian wholesaler called Castelli I think. Claudio Ferrici uses the same. Thoroughly enjoyed your review and cannot understand how I missed it. Best wishes.

[@writerlywitterings]

No problem ... oddly enough I won't be using Smythson any time soon, from the sound of it!

[@sensemaya1]

@@writerlywitterings Ahhh... paper you haven't heard of...

[@writerlywitterings]

@@sensemaya1 No, I had heard of it, but there's no way I'd ever pay that much!

[@sensemaya1]

@@writerlywitterings Me neither!

[@ShaifN]

I have a question: when I walk my dog these days, I carry w Rite in The Rain notebook with the fisher space pen. For when I want to take notes (and I take a lot of notes). Do you change your notebooks depending on the weather?

[@writerlywitterings]

Actually, no. I tend to find I get very few ideas if it's raining so hard my pen won't work! When I do get ideas, I cheat and use my mobile phone for notes (it's luckily waterproof!).

[@johngrubb007]

Thanks for the review, Michael. I think the closest of the standard sizes of notebooks you will find for your folios would be B6 which are larger than the A6's. They will be just a bit undersized but I think it won't be too much. That or you could find an artisan bookbinder and have him make you up a couple with the advantage being a proper fit and a paper of your choosing. As for inks, I have a variety of brands and have found there to be a large difference in how they react to the paper or the paper to them when comparing feathering and bleed through. I could suggest you try Noodler's X-Feather which is designed to minimize, if not eliminate, feathering and to a certain degree, bleed through. It also has the advantage of being pretty well everything proof once it has bonded to the paper (water, bleach, solvents, and even lasers) It's also archival and the only way to remove the writing is to destroy the paper.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, John - but I think I've found the ideal papers - review tonight if you're around!

[@thewaaaghproductions2285]

If you love the lever, look for some vintage pens! Would love to see them reviewed on the channel!

[@writerlywitterings]

I'd like to, but there is an expense with such collections!

[@thewaaaghproductions2285]

@@writerlywitterings I just acquired a vintage CS and got it restored for a total of $100! That's much less than a modern CS...

[@writerlywitterings]

@@thewaaaghproductions2285 Ah, but I can't afford a modern CS - and just now I can't afford a vintage one either!

[@richardc6932]

I have been using Rhodia 80 gsm notepads in No.18 A4 size which are excellent for my general writing. My experience with this paper is that the face side is beautiful for all my fine and medium nibs but when turned over the line widths on the same pens appears slightly wider. I notice this in particular with my 1911l and my Waterman Carene medium nibs. Shadowing is not an issue with the inks I have from Akkerman.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for sharing - that is interesting. It didn't occur to me that the papers might have slightly different surfaces on the front compared with the reverse. I can feel more testing coming on!

[@richardc6932]

Hello Michael, have you had a chance to think about doing a review on paper quality (front versus reverse) following my comments about the difference? I have come across others that were surprised to find they were not alone in thinking about this question. I am sure your use of a variety of writing paper qualifies you as somewhat an expert on this and would appreciate your valued opinion.👍🇨🇦

[@writerlywitterings]

@@richardc6932 Hi, Richard, Yes, I will be hoping to do something along those lines, although it's likely to be a single review for papers I've already looked at, and a part of future reviews. I'm very sorry, but we are going through a very hard time just now, with a very close relative suffering from a terminal cancer. I'm currently in New Zealand in quarantine, so I'm sure you'll understand that it's difficult just now to do anything in the near future.

[@nurmister]

I think this varies by country, since availability varies. Two hidden A4 gems that are cheap: in the US, HP Premium 32. In Singapore, double A Premiium is excellent. I think the HP paper is 120 gsm while double A is 80, but both are really nice. I don't foray into expensive papers, cheap paper has given me the experience I want. And I think really pretty paper is too pretty to write on. Haha. And, if I had a leather case as nice as yours, I'd use a paper cutter on that A4 paper and bind a pad myself!

[@writerlywitterings]

Hallo again, Nurmister. I'll have a look out for the HP Premium, which should be available here in the UK. I do like heavier weight paper for correspondence. Generally the paper I use in my printer is super light 50gsm Bank paper, the thin sort that was always used in typewriters when carbons were used. My general purpose, really go-to paper for daily use tends to be Office Depot 70 gsm, which is superb for fountain pens. And it's about the cheapest you can buy! I had been thinking about a paper cutter, and I think that's what will have to happen before long. I do need to have that case used again! Many thanks!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

I agree with you about the HP 32 premium paper! Affordable, easily accessible and works great with fountain pens and is a nice weight for correspondence.

[@JBFire97]

Lovely cases at the beginning. I remember the old airmail pads being small enough to fit, unfortunately I think they are A5 now, and also the paper was not good for fountain pens!

[@writerlywitterings]

You're absolutely right. The case that was bought for me was perfect for those old airmail pads - in fact, I had it filled with one for ages, since my brother emigrated when I was about twelve, and that was my standard writing case. I will find something suitable before long, dammit!

[@raouldontneedthem3416]

A simple solution to your "size" problem would be to cut your Crown Mill paper a bit shorter and narrower to fit your father's morocco leather case. It is simple and cheap. As far as paper quality is concerned, my advice is to try Rhodia paper: neither feathering no transparency on the other side of the page.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, Raoul - but I think I might be on the track of some ready-sized notepads, which will hopefully have better quality paper! I do like Rhodia, but I'd prefer gummed sheets, rather than stapled with perforations for neatness. Wish me luck ... of course it'll mean more reviews of paper, too, which is good news!

[@ايمنالفيومي-ب5و]

Would you mind making a video in which you explain the concept of "character's point of view"? I'm a beginner and my problem is that my lead characters are tyrannical. I can't describe the action except through their eyes. All the rest of the characters seem to fade out in front of them. How can I bring a minor's POV without confusing the reader? What parts of the story should be presented through the minor character's POV and what parts fit better with the lead?

[@writerlywitterings]

I will see what I can do - but it may be better (because this is very specific for you) if I do this by email chat, rather than the time it takes to record and edit a specific video? I think you should be able to contact me by email from here - if not, go to www.michaeljecks.co.uk and look for the "contact" button. Look forward to hearing from you. Mike

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, I haven't heard back from you on this - I'd like to help if possible!

[@ايمنالفيومي-ب5و]

@@writerlywitterings Sorry for not replying the past days. I really appreciate your concern. My e-mail is [e-mail]

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

I have a Reform 1745 piston filla, i got NOS from a pen forum... Twenty something (usually what I allow myself for a must have bargain) quid. its fine nib just works, with the okay 80gsm printer paper i got a box of cheap, I use for my notes/learning... ink wasting.? but I also like Christmas card envelopes from the recycling... all the difference in paper, I use it for scrap, notes, stuff across the year. not the best letter stock admitted

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that. I had not thought of using Christmas card envelopes for notes - that's a rather brilliant idea - thanks!

[@2Worlds_and_InBetween]

@@writerlywitterings /tips hat i have sharp metal around and have never been able to rip open letters, envelopes. as i fill the recycling i got annoyed at the good quality paper at this time of year (jimmi hendrix bday, Xmas) and split the backs out. I have flash watermarked stuff if a quality bill is needed, but i fix and rebuild things, peoples understand my ways and execpt the two of the 3 i give. want it fast, cheap or done correctly. pic two... any 2. daylight & the woods are calling.

[@neo5kali]

Thanks for the reviews. I agree with your liking the greyish blue of Paper Royal by Rossler Papier. I also like the watermark on the Original Crown Mill paper. Nice, genuine assessment! As far as finding paper sized to fit your morocco leather case, I think you can find paper makers through Etsy shops such as Gatzbcn or PaperPenguin Co. who hand-make Tomoe River notebooks, and who could possibly adjust the notebook dimensions to your liking. A suggestion about a notebook I adore (non-correspondence) is made by the Japanese manufacturer Masuya. I drool over Masuya Monokaki Notebooks which I came across in my search for an alternative to TR paper notebooks. You can find these Monokaki notebooks here: choosingkeeping.com/collections/notebooks/products/sewn_bound_monokaki_a5_medium_notebook_plain_cream The main complaint about Monokaki notebooks is that they don't lay flat, but I found that not to be the case. I spent more than half an hour bending back the spine until it did indeed remain spayed "flat" on my table. That said, the result is a glorious notebook filled with lovely Japanese manuscript paper which feels crisp and light in the hand.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, Neoskali - glad you liked the review. It's given me a taste for more reviews of writing paper. I had expected all correspondence paper to be good for fountain pens, since they cost so much more, but clearly that isn't quite correct! Fascinated by the Masuya Monokaki notebooks. They look fabulous, and well worth trying. I'll have to get a couple of examples. Many thanks!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

That looks like a b6 size. Try a stalogy notebook in it;)

[@writerlywitterings]

B6 is perfect. I'm using Basildon Bond in it now. I always thought B ratings were smaller than A ratings, so B5 was smaller than A5. I'm learning a lot from this channel!

[@JoelTurrell]

My first thought was also to try a B6 pad, and then; I remembered what in the USA is called Jr. Legal. B6 measures 4.5 in. by 6.5 in.; Jr. Legal runs 5 in. by 8 in. From a glance, I suspect that your covers are closer to B6 Also, pads sold in the us these days hardly qualify as high-class toilet roll. I have several nice leather covers for 8.5 in. by 11 in. pads and have taken to buying loose sheet Tomoe.River 68gsm paper and trimming it to fit, gluing it to backerboard, in effect making my own custom pads. I did need to buy a cutter sufficient to cut the backer and I do buy glue as well. But, I can get it all from Amazon and I can make 6 pads in less than 2 hours while still watching KZbin videos from English mystery writers.

[@alexsandra9000]

I also have to cut my own paper ! Such a waste.

[@writerlywitterings]

From a quick measure, I think this pad is about 4 1/2 by 7 1/2, so it will require a fair bit of cutting of other size pads. I can cut down an A5 to fit, I suppose - but as @alexandra9000 says, it does mean a fair bit of waste. One question for you, though, Joel - how do you glue your pads? I envisage some kind of end-glue, rather than sticking each sheet to the one before, because that would involve even more waste, and a ragged mess where the paper was torn off. How do you do it?

[@anjichurch4406]

Congrats on the subscribers...secret is out how interesting you are!

[@writerlywitterings]

Oh thank you! I have to admit, the sudden jump in numbers did surprise me - but then, perhaps, there have been a lot of people really bored ...! Thanks for the comment, it's really appreciated!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Why don’t you have your notebooks cut to fit? Any supply store or packing store should have paper services.

[@writerlywitterings]

It's a bit different over here! No, paper suppliers sell their standard sizes, and I've never seen one that would offer a cutting service. The only thing I can think of is, visiting a publisher which has a large guillotine, and asking them to cut a job lot of notebooks for me.

[@MrAcoustic1997]

Basildon Bond will fit into those covers, I am 99% sure.

[@writerlywitterings]

I'm going to check - it always used to hold a Basildon Bond airmail pad, but I thought BB had moved to A and B sizes now?

[@FookFish]

its a shame that you got the newstock tomoe and not the old. the new is just BAD

[@writerlywitterings]

Is there much difference?

[@FookFish]

@@writerlywitterings quite. but after cross checking the new stock has less showthrough but worser in all other aspects macchiatoman.com/blog/2020/8/20/paper-comparison-new-52gsm-tomoe-river-vs-old