Ink Blotter Or Not

[fountainpenlady]

My question is that I am thinking about purchasing an ink blotter. I am an avid daily journal writer and notice there is ink on the opposite page, if I do not hold the book open until the ink dries on the page.

 

I am left-handed, don't know whether it means anything positive or negative regarding using one. What do you think about ink blotters? I see J. Herbin makes one. If you use one, how long before you have to replace the ink blotter paper on it? What about the ink blotter paper? Long time ago, remember either MontBlanc or Visconti made the papers. I don't really have any other use for it other than utlitarian, so I am not seeking any special kind fancy or antique version. How do you use it or is it useful for you?

Edited February 8, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[MKeith]

I have a couple including one of the J. Herbin ones, which is by the way, smaller than most, but very handy. As to how fast you will use use up the blotter paper depends on how much writing you do as well as different types of inks drying times involved, as well as the absorbancy of the paper used. A large pack of blotter paper from Pendemonium is $10.00 for 50 sheets (4X9") and will likely last about anyone many years. At 110 pound weight the use of both sides is easily done. Blotters are especially useful for hard finish paper such as Rhodia, Clairfontaine etc, combined with wet heavy saturated inks.

[Chrissy]

I just use blotter paper, without the actual large desk blotter pad or rocker blotter.

 

My TR journal came with a loose piece of blotter paper in it, and I always put that in against the page I have just written before I turn over to the next page.

Edited February 8, 2015 by Chrissy

[fountainpenlady]

I should have given some indication of what type of paper I regularly use. I am currenlty keeping two journals, one which is Rhodia, believe it is much like Clairefontaine in texure. The other one is similar to the marbled Italian paper with texture to the pages; also, the texture must be different from front to back, since I find my fountain pens write differently depending on whether I am writing on the front or back of the sheet.

Currenlty, the inks being used for all are Iroshizuku almost exclusively.

Edited February 8, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[Octo]

You could buy a page-size piece of blotter paper and place it between the pages when you close the journal.

[Paddler]

I use a rocker blotter on my desk. I cut my own refills for it out of a large sheet of blotter paper purchased from a local art supply store. I also cut small rectangles of the paper and insert them in my check book, check register and savings account register, so I don't have to wait for ink to dry when paying bills.

[mirosc]

I recommend getting one. It's just fun and joy.

I've never had use for one, just waited or took some plain blotter paper. Then I stumbled across a nice and cheap rocker blotter from the 19th century and bought it. It sits on my desk, looks nice and I love the occasional routine of using it.

Honestly, I really could live without it, no need at all. But I could also have my fries without ketchup...

[fountainpenlady]

Had to stay up pass my bedtime, but found this on the 'Bay. Decided to get two sheet of the Blotter paper to see whether I can get the hang of using blotter paper. Pendemonium is my choice for getting additional blotter paper when I use up the two sheet I have coming to me. The shipping is kind of high for the 50 sheets of blotter paper, it is why I am testing out two sheets of bigger blotter paper beforehand. Also, I am going to my local hobby/art store in order to see whether they have blotter paper, failed to think of it before ordering the two sheets. This ink blotter is new and a bit bigger in measurements than the J. Herbin blotter. Also, I won the auction for less price than I would have spent on the J. Herbin. Thank you one and all. I can hardly wait to receive it and press it against a newly inked page.

Edited February 9, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[mirosc]

Nice!

Have fun!

[graystranger]

I bought a vintage ink blotter on eBay similar to the one shown above, and cheaper than a new J. Herbin rocker blotter. I get the J. Herbin blotter paper from Goulet Pens and cut it down to fit.

 

In my Midori passport size Traveler's Notebook I keep a piece of J. Herbin paper cut to page size in the weekly calendar at the current date. I also keep a whole sheet in my Italian leather bound journal. Not as necessary in that as the paper is heavy absorbent paper, but it is nice to close it without having to worry.

 

How long it will last? When one side is totally black and not absorbing any more you can turn it over and use the other side. I guess for sheets in notebooks and journals the paper will fray and wear out first. For the rocker blotter, I'm guessing a decade or more. Sometimes when I use the rocker blotter on smooth paper (Rhodia, Clairefontaine) on a hard surface it misses some of the ink. I'm thinking about putting two or three sheets on the blotter to give it more cushion.

 

I know there are other sources for blotter paper, but as I order from Goulet Pens regularly I just add a pack with an order of a pen, ink, etc. In nearly two years I have not used up my first pack of 10 sheets, and I gave two to my sister-in-law to use with a Mexican onyx rocker blotter I got off eBay cheap and restored the knob/threaded rod to working condition.

 

The need for using blotter paper depends on your paper, ink, pen, and humidity. I should cut a piece and put in my checkbook as I use a wet Lamy 2000 pen with Noodler's bulletproof ink to write my checks.

[fountainpenlady]

Thank you, I feel like or because I just received in the lasts couple weeks three different orders from Goulet Pen Company and did not think to order the ink blotter paper along with either. Yet, I did try to head off the most recent shipment to add an International Converter. Succeeded. I am primarily using Iroshizuku inks and they are proving to be kind of wet on the journals and Rhodia I am using now. It seems not to matter which pen used. Next time. I will need to put it down for my next order from G.P.C., need to write it on my Wish List of Pen Accoutrements.

Edited February 9, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[fountainpenlady]

I recommend getting one. It's just fun and joy.

I've never had use for one, just waited or took some plain blotter paper. Then I stumbled across a nice and cheap rocker blotter from the 19th century and bought it. It sits on my desk, looks nice and I love the occasional routine of using it.

Honestly, I really could live without it, no need at all. But I could also have my fries without ketchup...

Funny you should use that metaphor and comparison, as a long time ketchup connoisseur, I could not dare consider having fries without ketchup In fact, once many years ago, resided in Pittsburgh (the 'Burgh) and went to the Heinz Museum. Heinz is the best above Delmonte in my opinion. (Excuse the sidebar, love my ketchup).

Edited February 9, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[petravana]

Herbin makes small, pink refills for its' rocker blotter. They also make sheets (4.75 X 7.5 inches) that are perfect to stick in your notebook or to blot a letter. Goulet carries both kinds. I have both. The rocker blotter is good for something small like a signature, but for a page in a notebook the sheets are much better.

[fountainpenlady]

Believe I ordered a larger sheet than the J. Herbin. I am waiting for the next time I need to order from Goulet Pen Company and will put the bigger sheet in the order. I can't believe I have ordered three times from them in a matter of weeks, 1/26, 1/30, 1/31, and did not consider ink blotting paper. Well, something else besides ink samples to purchase the next go around. I believe the kind for journals might be perfect.

[ac12]

I have a JH rocking blotter, and find that it is a bit small. It seems to be signature sized.

I use a larger one that I got on eBay. I think it was actually for display and not really meant to be used, but hey I needed a blotter, so I used it.

I have an even larger one, but it does not get used, because of the real estate that it takes up on the table is a bit too much.

 

My wife and I use the blotter for anything that causes the ink to dry slow. The primary use is on the wall calendar, where the paper is glossy and takes a while to dry. And if you don't blot it, and flip the page, you get ink on the nice pictures