In Paper Heaven 完全

[DanF]

I just got a couple of sample sheets today, and I want to join the TR club! I've been exchanging PM's with Penhand, and seeing he needs a break, and I'd rather not wait any longer than necessary, he suggested making an offer here.

 

I would like two reams for myself. The minimum order is four reams (1000 sheets to the ream). I don't want to be responsible for breaking up reams into smaller bits, but if anyone else out there wants to buy a ream (or two) of 1000 sheets, I will act as receiver of the goods and ship out the other two reams. If two or more of you want to split up a ream, I will ship a ream to one of you, and you can split it up amongst yourselves.

 

Because I don't want to have to break them up, and would only be sending out two boxes, I will be doing this on an at my cost basis. If I was doing what Penhand has done (sounds like he has put a lot of effort into this!), I would expect to be compensated. But since it would only be two boxes at most for me to mail, I won't ask for anything more than my actual cost for paper (which includes shipping to me) and shipping to you, which I guess is a flat rate box. Whoever takes the other two are doing me a favor is how I look at it.

 

If a full ream sounds like a lot, here is my advice. Stock up! With the paper market the way it is these days, mills are closing left and right. Even the big mills are dropping a lot of their lines, so if you find something you like, get a lifetime supply while you still can. That's not a sales pitch, just the way things are. I'm a self proclaimed paper junkie, and I've never seen anything quite like this before. It really shows off each ink to it's very best advantage. The feel is so rich and smooth...

 

So if there are any takers, send me a PM. The first two responders (or one for two reams) who commit will be able to Join the TR Club as soon as it can be arranged.

 

If you want to split a ream with others, that would best be done on this thread so that you can see who you are and communicate with each other about details.

 

All PM's to me about full reams will be answered, but I'm a late riser and in Washington State, so don't expect any early morning replies from me. When both reams have been spoken for, I will report that here.

 

Dan

[marcomillions]

I received an e-mail today from Rakuten announcing a promotion good until the end of the month, reducing shipping costs by 4000 ¥ if you arrange the shipping from Tenso:

 

http://global.rakuten.com/en/event/tenso/?scid=me_ich_pcn_c_wrld_en_120823_008

 

Since the price of shipping of 4000 sheets when I ordered was 19,500 ¥, this discount would take 4000 ¥ off that cost--that is, by $51 at today's rate. That in itself reduces the cost of Tomoe by 1-1/4¢ per sheet.

 

The promotion runs Aug. 16-Aug. 30.

 

I hope this can be of some use to someone.

 

Marc

[marcomillions]

Hi Dan,

 

I think it's funny there are two sites in eastern Washington importing this obscure Japanese paper. It must be the clout the logging (and therefore paper) industries have here that is spurring us on.

 

If a full ream sounds like a lot, here is my advice. Stock up! With the paper market the way it is these days, mills are closing left and right. Even the big mills are dropping a lot of their lines, so if you find something you like, get a lifetime supply while you still can.

 

By temperament, I act like you. If I find something I like, I tend to order what ought to be a lifetime supply . . . just to be safe, you know. But it's worth remembering something FPN member mm1624124 pointed out back in post #110 of this thread. TR is no boutique FP paper. It was designed for a particular fairly heavy-industrial purpose: to make it possible to print huge catalogues and such yet have them weigh only a fraction of the usual weight, thus reducing distribution costs. So TR may not vanish so quickly. That (i.e. that, having a major commercial market, it may endure longer than we'd expect) would be our second piece of luck. The first was that the paper is so FP-friendly. That was not any explicit part of its original purpose.

 

In writing that paragraph, I took another look at the TR web page that mm1624124linked to:

 

http://www.tomoegawa.co.jp/english_2/product/p_ssm/ssm1301.html

 

And I discovered something whose significance hadn't penetrated this addled old brain. The TR we're ordering is one line of papers being manufactured that use special TR technologies. This line is manufactured to be "thin and lightweight" while displaying the aesthetic properties that we appreciate. It looks like they're manufactured with a 32g/m2 basis weight.

 

But there's also a second TR line, manufactured to be "thick but lightweight." Of this second line, known as "Tomoe River (N)," the site says, "Significantly reduce the weight of manuals without loosing [sic] thickness or feel of premium quality," "provid[es] the same thickness as matte coated paper with a significant reduction in weight," and "rigid ... easy to print and bind." Its basis weight looks to be 85g/m2.

 

It occurs to me that some of us might have a use for and be interested in "thick but lightweight" paper with the clarity of our thin TR if someone could determine whether Rakuten sells it and how it should be ordered.

 

Marc

Edited August 23, 2012 by marcomillions

[DanF]

Marc --- That shipping offer looks good if we can make things happen in time to take advantage of it.

 

Thanks for bringing up the question of thicker paper. I was thinking about that too, if there was something out there that was thicker, perhaps a little stiffer and more durable, but with the same ink handling characteristics as this thinner paper. Sounds like the "other TR" might be just that. I'd like both actually.

 

About buying philosophy and availability, even if the company may be around, it's such a hassle to get the paper here, that I still maintain that it's a good idea to stock up. It's not like stopping by Office Depot to pick up some more.

 

I will try to get a response from TR as to how the products compare, perhaps get a sample of TR (N) if they will send one for such a small buyer, and if someone there understands English or can work through a computer translation. What exactly is the paper that some of you already have? Is it the Mat or Pocket Book? I suspect Mat, but I want to be sure.

 

It anyone else out there has some knowledge of Japanese or experience in dealing with this company, and wants to make the contact, that's fine with me too.

 

Dan

Edited August 23, 2012 by DanF

[DanF]

Penhand asked for scans (photo's in this case) of this paper with various inks and nibs, so here you go. After much fiddling with camera and photoshop, the colors are mostly pretty true to life. Click on the photos for full resolution.

 

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/T-Caster/DSC_0882_2.jpg

 

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l279/T-Caster/DSC_0882_2_1.jpg

 

Dan

[dcpritch]

I provided some scans at entry #47 of this thread (first page), with a number of different pens and inks. Those might be helpful, as well.

[penhand]

To everyone who received a "shipped" PM from me, as of this morning your paper is now in the hands of the United States Postal Service. For those in the US, you should have it in 2-3 days ... and if their technology worked, you may have even gotten a shipped notification from them in your email.

 

For those of you overseas, your package can't be tracked and you have to trust in the shipping gods that your package will show up in a week or so (to Europe) and I've no idea how long it will take to make it to Australia.

 

Thanks to all for the kind words. They did not go unread or unappreciated.

[Ghost Plane]

*Smooch*

 

You are an angel!

[DanF]

One of the two remaining reams is spoken for, one still available.

 

Dan

[DanF]

Email sent to Tomoe River to enquire about the thicker paper Marc mentioned. Hope they respond and send a sample! Will report back here if they respond.

 

 

Dan

[swagginman]

Thank you DanF. I love this paper (even the thinness) but if there was also a thicker option, I would be all in and would only keep two papers. Only two . . .

[penhand]

This is the store that actually sells the paper in Japan. You can run this through google translate for other paper options they carry.

 

http://www.rakuten.co.jp/auc-shikisai/

[Chris Chalmers]

1345730656[/url]' post='2442656']

*Smooch*

 

You are an angel!

 

X 1000 (the number of sheets in. Ream) from Tassie, where a package from USA usually takes about ten days to arrive. I'm learning to be good at waiting - I hope!

[DanF]

I now have commitments for both reams for my order, so the offer is closed. I will be placing the order on Monday so that there are no problems with the shipping discount relating to the weekend.

 

Dan

Edited August 24, 2012 by DanF

[Tberry010]

Another late but sincere thanks to Penhand.

 

Trillium and I split a ream and have had it for several days. I don't think I can add anything to the already long list of statements extolling the quality of this paper so I won't try.But I will be trying to put together the funds for some more and I haven't used more than ten pages yet!

 

Also interested in the thicker paper so will follow closely.

 

BTW: Anyone else notice that when you hold the paper in front of a reasonably strong light it appears to have numerous extremely small holes in it? Is that an illusion, or are the holes really there?

 

Edited to add: Would be happy to send a few sheets to the next few, say ten people or so, who request through PM.

Edited August 25, 2012 by Tberry010

[sarahfar]

Here here he is a wonderful person

[DanF]

 

BTW: Anyone else notice that when you hold the paper in front of a reasonably strong light it appears to have numerous extremely small holes in it? Is that an illusion, or are the holes really there?

 

I don't see anything that looks like pin holes. It has a mottled appearance, but nothing bright like light getting through it.

 

Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

[janykiel]

Penhand - You are amazing!

 

Ps.

My last purchase from USA was delivered to Poland in 5 days (including weekend and customs)!

[mhguda]

BTW: Anyone else notice that when you hold the paper in front of a reasonably strong light it appears to have numerous extremely small holes in it? Is that an illusion, or are the holes really there?

 

I see them. Very small, and the ink passes right over them. But they are not like pinholes, it is more gradual.

[WOBentley]

My paper arrived today all the way on the left coast! The post office did its best to try to destroy it, but it appears unscathed (though the box has seen better days!). i am looking forward to trying some out tomorrow!

Thanks Penhand for all the work associated with getting this here to the US and in our hands

Edited August 27, 2012 by WOBentley