... Tomoe River Paper, Cream, A4 ...

[TMLee]

This is a brief review , (test run) of the now famous TOMOE River paper.

 

(I did a search of reviews on this TR paper but couldnt find a thread dedicated to a review of it, so to our Dear Mods, pls move this post if its a duplicate or in a wrong place.)

 

Its Cream in colour. and at 52gsm and this is exactly A4 size not the larger version.

 

Packed in a ream of 1000shts - not the usual 500shts.

The paper is so thin that a 1000sht ream is as high as a usual copier paper ream of 500shts.

 

The paper is extremely thin and as observed by others, creases and crinkles easily.

 

But also consistent with others' observations, its very very smooth which I like.

 

I carried out a quick ink test with my FP's currently inked and in rotation.

 

Taken with window light from the top.

I placed a pure white copy paper underneath to show the cream shade and to show up the degree of 'shadow' or 'showthru'.

 

The palette of prepared acrylic pats of paint is German made and I cant remember what brand , was it Herlitz ?

Anyway ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/002.jpg

 

Reverse of the page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/007.jpg

 

 

 

 

Closeup 1

Just as I expected, standard blues and light blues are best.

Look at Pelikan Royal Blue

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/005.jpg

 

Reverse of 1

Look at Pelikan Royal Blue - shows the least 'showthru'.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/008.jpg

 

Closeup 2

apologies, my PILOT Falcon Elabo ran out of ink .. :embarrassed_smile:

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/006.jpg

 

Reverse of 2

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/009.jpg

 

Closeup 3

Thre NOODLERS American Eel Blue seems to be worst of the lot.

There seems to be some bleedthru, see next pic below ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/006.jpg

 

Reverse of 3

The NOODLERS American Eel Blue shows some bleedthru.

Probably cos it took longest to dry up.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/010.jpg

 

 

I have a habit of testing with a simple drawing, then coloured with various light washes . This will help later when and if i ever do sketches on it.

Of course the paper crumples/warps from the wetness.

Its to be expected.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/003.jpg

 

Closeup

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/TOMOE%20River%20Paper/004.jpg

 

I like the smoothness of the paper.

 

And also its resistance to bleedthru.

 

Zero feathering.

 

For a paper of this thinness, its quite commendable.

 

The only complaint I have is the 'shadow' or 'showthru'. It can be distracting.

But I guess different folks have differing levels of tolerance on this.

 

Inks that dry up quickly fare the best.

and inks that are not dark coloured also fare best.

Hmmm , missing orange ink in my test above .... :hmm1:

 

Fine nibs also fare better. (less ink deposited on page)

 

I would definitely use this paper for letter writing. Its superb for that.

I would use only one side. And its lightness is ideal to keep weight down over airmail.

 

To use this in one of my journal bookblocks, I am not sure.

I will make one or two to see whats it like.

 

Hope this helps ... for those of us wondering what TR paper is like.

Edited February 15, 2013 by TMLee

[Newjelan]

Thanks for such a comprehensive and appealing review TMLee. I keep reading about this paper and would love to try it although as I like M to B nibs it may not be ideal for me.

[DanF]

Thanks for such a comprehensive and appealing review TMLee. I keep reading about this paper and would love to try it although as I like M to B nibs it may not be ideal for me.

 

Don't worry, it handles any nib with ease. Lovely paper!.

 

Dan

 

 

 

[raging.dragon]

I've never seen or heard of bleed through with Tamoe River paper before, so it's probably just the American Blue Eel is a bad match for this paper.

 

I've used a Visconti 1.3 mm stub with a wet ink on this paper without issues.

 

The paper is thin and fairly tanslucent so if the show through bothers you, you probably won't like this paper.

[notbob]

I've also never seen any bleed through. Perhaps the nib was rough and scratched the paper.

 

I have both cream and white TR and love 'em. Basically, it's a very hard surfaced paper, so slow drying inks tend to remain wet for a long time. This is especially true of many Noodler whatever-proof inks. For example, the blue component in Legal Lapis seems to remain smearable forever on this paper. It's specially good for revealing ink sheen, as many inks dry quick enough to dry on top of the paper instead of being absorbed. And yes, it will show through, as I suspect any paper this thin would. I think onion skin is the only paper more translucent. OTOH, it's great for tracing over a letterform guideline sheet. I hope to make my first coptic stitch ledger with this paper. Should work nicely.

 

I think most everyone would enjoy this fine paper and recommend it highly.

[inkstainedruth]

I found that Private Reserve DC Supershow Electric Blue was still smudgy after a month, and DCSSB wasn't much better. But on the whole I like the paper a great deal. It's very smooth to write on.

Thanks for the review.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[penhand]

In my experience, fine nibs (less ink) dries faster (no surprise). I have taken to using blotting paper if I'm using wider nibs and tend to use cellulose reactive (Noodlers Bulletproof) inks.

 

Still very happy with it as the inks look great.

[WOBentley]

@TMLee,

If you do a journal in the TR paper...count me in! Maybe another Escher?

[raging.dragon]

I found that Private Reserve DC Supershow Electric Blue was still smudgy after a month, and DCSSB wasn't much better. But on the whole I like the paper a great deal. It's very smooth to write on.

Thanks for the review.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

 

In my experience, fine nibs (less ink) dries faster (no surprise). I have taken to using blotting paper if I'm using wider nibs and tend to use cellulose reactive (Noodlers Bulletproof) inks.

 

Still very happy with it as the inks look great.

 

I wonder if anybody is selling pounce?

[TMLee]

In my experience, fine nibs (less ink) dries faster (no surprise). I have taken to using blotting paper if I'm using wider nibs and tend to use cellulose reactive (Noodlers Bulletproof) inks.

 

Still very happy with it as the inks look great.

 

Useful information

[TMLee]

I found that Private Reserve DC Supershow Electric Blue was still smudgy after a month, and DCSSB wasn't much better. But on the whole I like the paper a great deal. It's very smooth to write on.

Thanks for the review.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

 

Yes , certain slow drying inks are more problematic.

 

I was disappointed that Noodlers black took longer to dry.

Couldnt dry fast enough for the water wet brush in the sample above.

[TMLee]

@TMLee,

If you do a journal in the TR paper...count me in! Maybe another Escher?

 

 

Haha ... Sure !

 

The paper is so thin , it's hard to handle.

Like Bible paper.

I wonder how those of you managed to cut and fold etc into stitching into a bookblock or a journal.?

[WOBentley]

@TMLee,

If you do a journal in the TR paper...count me in! Maybe another Escher?

 

 

Haha ... Sure !

 

The paper is so thin , it's hard to handle.

Like Bible paper.

I wonder how those of you managed to cut and fold etc into stitching into a bookblock or a journal.?

Just PM me, I am serious, I love TR paper and my fondness for your journals is no secret since I now have three (2 Pelikans and one Escher winging its way to me now!)

[TMLee]

@TMLee,

If you do a journal in the TR paper...count me in! Maybe another Escher?

 

 

Haha ... Sure !

 

The paper is so thin , it's hard to handle.

Like Bible paper.

I wonder how those of you managed to cut and fold etc into stitching into a bookblock or a journal.?

Just PM me, I am serious, I love TR paper and my fondness for your journals is no secret since I now have three (2 Pelikans and one Escher winging its way to me now!)

 

Thank you for your encouragement.

 

I need to Make a prototype first.

The paper is also flimsy, so I am wondering how a larger (A5) size journal would work. When you open the book, the pages will kinda fall fall away. Not sure how to describe.

[notbob]

I wonder if anybody is selling pounce?

 

Here's a link that may be helpful. Pounce powder link

 

Turns out there are several kinds of pounce. Quilting pounce, mural pounce, drafting pounce. I don't think you would want black mural pounce. Hard to find any technical data on the differences between the different types. Art stores are the most likely source, but I'd stick with a pounce that mentions ink or calligraphy somewhere in the description. The above link seems to stick with the ink end of the pounce panoply.

[nicholasyeo]

Being a little OCD, I cannot really stand the crinkled paper... I've put those aside for scribbles...

[Notebookish]

The showthrough has been the real dealbreaker for me. It's still not quite the ultimate paper for me ... just needs a little more weight, a little more wetness.

The crinkles are less obvious if the page is covered in writing.

[raging.dragon]

I wonder if anybody is selling pounce?

 

Here's a link that may be helpful. Pounce powder link

 

Turns out there are several kinds of pounce. Quilting pounce, mural pounce, drafting pounce. I don't think you would want black mural pounce. Hard to find any technical data on the differences between the different types. Art stores are the most likely source, but I'd stick with a pounce that mentions ink or calligraphy somewhere in the description. The above link seems to stick with the ink end of the pounce panoply.

 

Thanks for link!

[TMLee]

Made a journal with this TR paper.

 

Featured here ...

[notbob]

Made a journal with this TR paper.

 

Featured here ...

 

Great info. Thnx.

 

I have some #18 binding thread. Still too thick? I haven't attempted binding, yet. Howzabout dental floss?