Good writing paper
sbsawler
I've been using Levenger's Circa paper to write on; I find it is smooth,
adsorbs and absorbs the ink well (Waterman ink) and enables writing on
boths sides of the page. (...I'm ashamed to say that I've not checked to
see if it's acid free...)
What are you folks using or what would you suggest?
Scott
KCat
I prefer HP color laser paper, 28 lb. I print very faint lines on it
(usually to go with various inks) and use it for letters and I print it and
cut it in half for binding in a journal.
I don't find the expensive papers (not even Levenger) really *that* much
better than a good 28lb paper. Smooth, very little if any show through and
not terribly expensive.
OTOH - for 3x5 cards, nothing beats the Levengers cards. :-)
kcat's .02
sbsawler
book marks.
The only problem I've had with colour laser paper is that the ink dries a
different colour. It takes about 2 days, but the ink colour seems to
lighten. (... I'll check, maybe I've not tried HP specifically..)
Thanks: you're .02 is muchly appreciated.
S
KCat
news:13010ea8bc5d44b6...@localhost.talkaboutcollecting.com...
well - many inks I've used change colour somewhat over a few days.
blue-blacks and some of the browns have been the most susceptible to my eye.
The HP paper has a "brightness" of 96 which means it does alter colour depth
a bit - it's very subtle but to me most of my inks look slightly darker on
it than on brighter papers (i think most of the better 24lb papers are 98 or
better.)
I've tried a sample sheet of Rhodia paper and it's lovely - I just wish it
wasn't so expensive. Haven't noticed (nor paid attention to) ink changes on
that one sample. Not even sure where I've stashed it. :-)
--
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sbsawler
Tx
KCat
> You always seem to provide excellent info and website references.
>
> Tx
i just like to pretend I know what I'm talking about. :-) Thanks for the
nice comment.
Best, kcat
George Manning
Thanks for the information on the HP paper -- I'll try some.
George
"KCat" <kca...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:fjead.3957$q%7.3...@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
Steven Banks
I like KCat'secommendation, but it has a flaw. That is that these papers
have no lines if that is a feature you want. If lines are no problem then go
with KCat's resolution and get a Circa paper punch. That way you can still
use the Circa system.
Steve Banks
PENMART01
>
>"sbscrawler" wrote:
>>
>> I've been using Levenger's Circa paper to write on; I find it is smooth,
>> adsorbs and absorbs the ink well (Waterman ink) and enables writing on
>> boths sides of the page. (...I'm ashamed to say that I've not checked to
>> see if it's acid free...)
>>
>> What are you folks using or what would you suggest?
>
>I like KCat'secommendation, but it has a flaw.
Well what did you expect, KCat doesn't know anything, she's a verbose fraud.
>That is that these papers
>have no lines if that is a feature you want.
Circa paper certainly is available lined. But it's really lousy for writing on
with fountain pen, it too readily absorbs ink and feathers horribly. Many
years ago when the Circa system first became available from Levenger I bought a
Circa phone book. I never use it as I find that system really doesn't work all
that well, certainly nowhere near as well as a spiral type binding. And for
the Circa system to work at all a fairly heavy weight paper is manditory,
therefore it will never supplant the typical looseleaf binder. The Circa
system appears impressive, but that's it, it is not at all practical... it's a
gimmick is all. Yeah, I know, it suckered me in too, I even went some $35
extra for the leather cover.... and there it sits in my bookcase, with a few of
the "A" pages written upon, totally abandoned.
Good Writer's Word of the Day:
sup·plant
transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French supplanter, from Latin
supplantare to overthrow by tripping up, from sub- + planta sole of the foot
—more at PLACE
Date: 14th century
1 : to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery
2 a (1) : obsolete : UPROOT (2) : to eradicate and supply a substitute for
<efforts to supplant the vernacular> b : to take the place of and serve as a
substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power
synonym see REPLACE
- sup·plan·ta·tion noun
- sup·plant·er noun
© 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
---= BOYCOTT FRANCE (belgium) GERMANY--SPAIN =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
*********
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."
Sheldon
````````````
KCat
> I like KCat'secommendation, but it has a flaw. That is that these papers
> have no lines if that is a feature you want. If lines are no problem then
go
> with KCat's resolution and get a Circa paper punch. That way you can still
> use the Circa system.
>
> Steve Banks
it's a "feature" :-) (shades of Microsoft)
I print my own lines using my Epson printer. That way if I'm in the mood
for green lines, I've got green lines! :-)
Nancy Handy
> I print my own lines using my Epson printer. That way if I'm in the mood
> for green lines, I've got green lines! :-)
That reminds me of my gripe. Levenger's 3 x 5 ruled cards used to be
printed with understated hunter green lines. Then they changed to
boring light grey lines that look as if they were run on the copier.
I still like the cards, but I want the green lines back!
Nancy
KCat
news:1glrm9s.bc7046tw8ybfN%nha...@optonline.net...
>
> That reminds me of my gripe. Levenger's 3 x 5 ruled cards used to be
> printed with understated hunter green lines. Then they changed to
> boring light grey lines that look as if they were run on the copier.
>
> I still like the cards, but I want the green lines back!
>
> Nancy
>
>
ask if they had a stash that they weren't advertising. They said no. About
a year later they had a clearance sale and I managed to snag 1000 plus a
packet of 250 of the blue cards for a lovely $20. But I am using up the
white cards now. hoarding the blue. defeats the purpose, I know.
maybe hunter green clashed with Amethyst ink. :-)
they're still the best cards out there in terms of quality. I tried Crane
and just didn't care for them - too rough.
Circa isn't for everyone. I don't like the 8.5 x 11 because the paper is
too thin to hold up to use IMO. But I got the Junior Leather cover for all
of $23 and in the smaller size it's works better. Plus it suits my use for
it - which is just about everything I have to remember for the day as I go
about my business. the paper is a bit thin for some of my denser inks - but
otherwise works very well. Still - i'm going to the method mentioned in my
previous post. I use Publisher to print very faint lines in whatever colour
I choose, then cut and punch. I like the idea (and have made use of it) of
being able to move pages around. Can't do that with a spiral. Can do it
with a loose leaf but I found even the small looseleaf binders to be too
bulky. some people find the little discs irritating though.
to each his/her own. there's no "good" or "bad" IMO. There's just what you
like or don't like. I have found that some of the pages of the Circa papers
that came with this Junior circa aren't taking ink - too much sizing. A
problem I hadn't had before with Levenger papers. irritating.
Rollabind (the maker of "Circa") is very popular with the scrapbooking
crowd. I suspect that Levenger doesn't make up much of their market. When
you look around the scrapbooking sites, Rollabind is mentioned on almost all
of them.
I also miss Levengers Juris pads - very heavy weight but good absorbancy and
smooth. But apparently they didn't sell well enough. :( I managed to snag
some of those on sale as well. not enough but some... don't know what I
was thinking.
KCat the Verbose Fraud
(howda ya like the new nick? It's not very original but I credit Sheldon
with adding the last word for a little more character. <SEG>)
--
For Pen Talk, Images, Trading and Reviews: The Fountain Pen Network
Paul G
very smooth for fp, and available in wide or college rule.
Pelikanyo Paul
"Steven Banks" <roadkingm...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:MP6dnQVIQO3...@comcast.com...
Nancy Handy
> I liked the blue cards - and they stopped selling those.
I thought the people who stocked up during that sale would regret it.
Glad to hear they didn't clash with your ink colors.
> they're still the best cards out there in terms of quality. I tried Crane
> and just didn't care for them - too rough.
I'm not fond of the Crane cards either. Ditto on the Coach cards - I'm
not sure they make those anymore, but I used them before Levenger made 3
x 5 cards.
> Circa isn't for everyone. I don't like the 8.5 x 11 because the paper is
> too thin to hold up to use IMO.
The thing about Circa is that it's okay if you don't move your papers
around a lot. If you only move your paper two or three times max, it's
fine. Past that, it gets too weak and becomes junk. Yes it can be
annoying.
Hey, I bought two Letter leather covers during the big $23 sale and
I'm determined to like them! If the paper doesn't work out with the
letter-sized binder, I'll go to Komtrack and ask Mike to sell me uncut
paper to use with the Circa punch. Komtrack's "best quality writing"
paper is thicker and takes ink well, but it lacks that big margin I've
grown to like.
>But I got the Junior Leather cover for all
> of $23 and in the smaller size it's works better.
I like the Junior. It's a convenient size to carry around, but for more
serious writing I need the letter-sized 8.5 x 11 paper. With the wide
margin layout, which I adore, you get a more useful writing surface on
the letter sized paper.
There was another size Circa named for playwright Neil Simon, that was
even longer than the 8.5 x 11. It came with blue disks. I liked it,
but of course, it was too odd a size to become a permanent addition. I
would like a paper that is narrower and longer like 8 x 12. If I ruled
the world, that would be the standard sized paper! And the lines would
be hunter green.
> the paper is a bit thin for some of my denser inks
A little thicker paper would be perfect, but I'm okay with Circa paper.
> I like the idea (and have made use of it) of
> being able to move pages around. Can't do that with a spiral. Can do it
> with a loose leaf but I found even the small looseleaf binders to be too
> bulky. some people find the little discs irritating though.
I like that you can easily move the paper. I like that the disks are
smaller allowing the books to be thinner instead of big, fat looseleaf
binders.
With Komtrack, the paper is thicker but it is much harder to move the
papers around. You have to disassemble the whole binder which takes too
much time. His paper is amazing though.
> I have found that some of the pages of the Circa papers
> that came with this Junior circa aren't taking ink - too much sizing.
I never had that problem. I always found the paper to be consistent.
> Rollabind (the maker of "Circa") is very popular with the scrapbooking
> crowd. I suspect that Levenger doesn't make up much of their market. When
> you look around the scrapbooking sites, Rollabind is mentioned on almost all
> of them.
And many of those websites directed people to Levenger to buy the sturdy
desktop punch instead of the wimpy smaller plastic punch that was
packaged for the scrapbookers.
Ah, the agony and the ecstasy of picking the perfect paper!
> KCat the Verbose Fraud
> (howda ya like the new nick? It's not very original but I credit Sheldon
> with adding the last word for a little more character. <SEG>)
It's always good to see all the kids getting along at the acpp
playground.
Nancy
ps - I wasn't sure how to spell playwright. First I typed playwrite and
then playright, and finally looked it up to see playwright. So that's
our spelling word of the day - playwright!
KCat
> smaller allowing the books to be thinner instead of big, fat looseleaf
> binders.
> With Komtrack, the paper is thicker but it is much harder to move the
> papers around. You have to disassemble the whole binder which takes too
> much time. His paper is amazing though.
>
> > I have found that some of the pages of the Circa papers
> > that came with this Junior circa aren't taking ink - too much sizing.
>
> I never had that problem. I always found the paper to be consistent.
yes, it surprised me. never had the problem before.
> And many of those websites directed people to Levenger to buy the sturdy
> desktop punch instead of the wimpy smaller plastic punch that was
> packaged for the scrapbookers.
that was then... many of these sites now sell the desktop punch (ranging
from about $55 to $90!) But I found one for $43 if they would get them in
stock! And there are now scrapper sets with the desktop model. of course,
they're expensive. I'm surprised to find that Levenger's price isn't really
that bad compared to some other sellers. But it can be found cheaper.
Rollabind had it for $45 at one time - when I *should* have gotten it. :P
Now they are less competitive with their prices.
> ps - I wasn't sure how to spell playwright. First I typed playwrite and
> then playright, and finally looked it up to see playwright. So that's
> our spelling word of the day - playwright!
:-)
Nancy Handy
> Komtrack? Not familiar with that.
Pearl Art carries it, or they did. I haven't looked recently.
They have different papers - best quality lined writing paper, unlined
sketching, watercolor paper, and maybe one more. I've only tried his
best quality writing paper. I think he has a cheaper writing paper so
you have to ask for the best quality writing paper for fountain pens.
Komtrack isn't cheap. I like it better than Clairfontaine.
He sells direct, and will send you his whole brochure with his two
binding methods.
I see I spelled it wrong it is:
Komtrak
(Mike Werman - owner)
51 Werman Court
Plainview, NY 11803
tel:(516) 293-7170
It's in an industrial area. I've been there. It's a small family run
business. His wife and one of his kids work there too. There's a tiny
office, and he showed me the work area with huge cutting machines and
giant rolls of paper. He takes pride in what he sells and seems like a
nice guy. I'm not affiliated, but have been a very satisfied customer.
Nancy
KCat
KCat
now I recall seeing it there. at least the sketch paper. I may have even
bought some for my daughter.
Michael Wright
SNIP
>
> There was another size Circa named for playwright Neil Simon, that was
> even longer than the 8.5 x 11. It came with blue disks. I liked it,
> but of course, it was too odd a size to become a permanent addition. I
> would like a paper that is narrower and longer like 8 x 12. If I ruled
> the world, that would be the standard sized paper! And the lines would
> be hunter green.
>
>
News from the rest of the world:-) A4 is an international
standard size, by definition 210 x 297 mm, which ~ 8 1/4" x 11 3/4".
Close enough?
Nancy Handy
Many moons ago....
> Nancy Handy wrote:
> > I would like a paper that is narrower and longer like 8 x 12. If I ruled
> > the world, that would be the standard sized paper!
> News from the rest of the world:-) A4 is an international
> standard size, by definition 210 x 297 mm, which ~ 8 1/4" x 11 3/4".
>
> Close enough?
Thanks for the World News Report.
I would prefer the 8.25 X 11.75 paper instead of 8.5 X 11". I think I
have some of that size by Crane.
Now we need to convince the rest of the US to go along with that
standard. It will probably go over about as well as the metric system.
When I was a kid, the teachers told us that the US would be converted to
metric by 2000. Maybe we'll have more luck with the paper. Yeah, like
that'll happen.
Next order of business - getting the US to relinquish their ballpoints
in favor of fountain pens. All in favor, say "Aye". Oy?
Nancy
David
> Thanks for the World News Report.
> I would prefer the 8.25 X 11.75 paper instead of 8.5 X 11". I think I
> have some of that size by Crane.
>
> Now we need to convince the rest of the US to go along with that
> standard. It will probably go over about as well as the metric system.
> When I was a kid, the teachers told us that the US would be converted to
> metric by 2000. Maybe we'll have more luck with the paper. Yeah, like
> that'll happen.
> Next order of business - getting the US to relinquish their ballpoints
> in favor of fountain pens. All in favor, say "Aye". Oy?
The decision to adopt a new standard for something won't ever happen
without a top-down enforcement plan, unfortunately. (Unless the old
standard was so bad everyone wanted to get rid of it anyway.)
Canada adopted the metric system in the 70's. The mistakes here were
that a long "grace period" proved more confusing than helpful, and many
things are still (30 years later!) allowed to be sold by the pound and
the foot, with the metric equivalents perfunctorily posted beside, and
so everyone is still confused because there are two systems floating
around. If the U.S. does it, they should learn from our mistakes -
simply set a "go metric" date, no options, no grace periods, and
businesses cannot show or mention the old system anymore. Somewhat
painful but very quick, like removing a band-aid. And I have hairy
arms, so I know what I'm talking about. :-)
David
mge
and yellow ruled.
All at Daily Planner and some of them at Pendemonium.
"Michael Wright" <Flightle...@netscape.net> wrote in message
news:cmgu08$fnj$1...@lust.ihug.co.nz...
Nancy Handy
> Try the long Rhodia pads which now come in extra long size in grid, ruled
> and yellow ruled.
> All at Daily Planner and some of them at Pendemonium.
Really? I only saw them with grid, which I don't want.
Now that they make them, I'd like to try them ruled.
Thanks for the tip.
Nancy
svejk
whiter smother and markedly less feathery than Ampad Gold
RJ
> Anyone have an opinion on Tops Docket Gold pads? To me they seem
> whiter smother and markedly less feathery than Ampad Gold
Our office pads have recently been the Office Max white pads; they are
surprisingly nice with my fountain pens. Pretty good bang for buck, I
suspect.
Ada Ma
Pineider - Italian firm, you can get a personalised dice with them and get
your paper engraved with your address if you want - makes A4 paper in 100%
cotton. I saw them coming in letter sets - I was seriously tempted by a set
of 40 pages of lemon yellow paper with 20 white envelopes lined with thin
lemon yellow paper, but it was like GBP 50 ($92!!!!) so I walked away with a
heavy heart...
Michael Wright
doubtless others) has more affordable A4 paper by Clairfontaine
et al.
Best
Michael
Tim McNamara
>> Anyone have an opinion on Tops Docket Gold pads? To me they seem
>> whiter smother and markedly less feathery than Ampad Gold
I like 'em. They do not seem to bleed through even with wet writers
and inks that often feather or bleed through on other papers.
Ada Ma
Michael Wright wrote:
I didn't know that. I live in UK and the only time I've seen a Clairfontaine
was in one of the Lafayette (sp?) in Paris. Thinking about it I'm heading to
Paris again next week, yay!!!
Michael Wright
Yeah, well, you'll find G. Lalo in the little corner
stationers', too.
You could make me jealous, but I was in Florence a few weeks ago
-- pressed nose against the window of Pineider in the Piazza
della Signoria, but didn't have enough money to even walk in
through the door. But there's a lot of classy paper around in
that city, too, and glass pens that work, and at prices that
aren't too bad. You should travel further.
Best
Michael