Kokuyo Business Paper 64Gsm

[TMLee]

This is a review of KOKUYO BUSINESS paper 64gsm

 

I bought this from K. ITOYA in Tokyo.

This pack is only 500sheets , in A5 size.

They have in A4 and A3 and B sizes too and I think in many other sizes too.

They didnt have a sample of the paper in the store.

So I took a chance and bought this ream, keeping my fingers crossed , hoping it can take FP ink.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/556.jpg

 

 

Someone translate for me what is the description of this product ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/566.jpg

 

 

This paper is thin at only 64gsm.

(normal copier paper is 80g )

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/557.jpg

 

 

At my earliest chance, which is upon returning from my vacation , I opened the package carefully and took out a few sheets for the acid test.

 

I was greatly relieved and pleasantly surprised ..

It took ink very well...

 

 

Here is the wettest test , normal ink ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/558.jpg

 

The reverse page

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/559.jpg

 

The paper is definitely not exactly superflat.

How does one describe this?

Look at the way it lays on the copier paper.

 

The paper also has texture.

It is not supersmooth like TR paper nor like the smoothness of paper found in premium Japanese notebooks like Kokuyo or Maruman.

The paper is also matte, ie, against light, the paper doesnt show any reflection, unlike say smooth coated papers.

 

 

 

This writing sample here is Diamine Monaco Red

The sample is placed against plain white copier paper to show the slight tinge of hue of the paper.

Its a very light ivory, off-white, greyish beige?

Also , against the white copier paper underneath, you can see the extent of the showthru.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/560.jpg

 

The reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/561.jpg

 

A simple way of countering showthru , is to just place a black piece of paper underneath your writing page.

It will mask off the shadow or showthru completely.

 

 

This sample is PLATINUM Mix-Free ink 'Smoke Black' 50% diluted.

I find this series of inks to be very problem-free.

Easy to use. No problems that usually come with more complex ink formulas.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/562.jpg

 

Reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/563.jpg

 

 

 

As per my usual way of testing paper,

here now is the ink sketch and watercolour test.

This sketch is drawn with NOODLERS black (waterproof)

What I notice is that the ink dries very fast on this paper, compared to other (coated) papers where Noodlers Black take some time to dry out, eg, TR paper.

Yes the paper has some texture, but it dries almost immediately.

Then again, I was using a ROSETTA North Star <M> nib stubbed, so it may not be spewing alot of ink out.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/564.jpg

 

 

Reverse side Noodlers Black

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/565.jpg

 

 

 

I use chopstick rests as pen rests.

Bought this really cute one

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/569.jpg

 

 

 

Now with kids watercolours brished on ...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/573.jpg

 

Reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/576.jpg

 

The paper warps and that is to be expected.

Theres no way thin paper wont warp under direct wetness.

But look closely - there is no bleedthru at all.

showthru yes, but no bleedthru at all.

 

 

 

 

Here is another sketch sample.

sketch together with writing sample...

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/574.jpg

 

Reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/575.jpg

 

 

Another sketch ,

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/577.jpg

 

Reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/578.jpg

 

 

Another sketch

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/579.jpg

 

Reverse side

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/TMLee/Stationery%20Paraphernalia/KOKUYO%20BUSINESS%20paper%2064gsm/580.jpg

 

 

I paid 800yen for this ream of 500 sheets A5 size .

Its not exactly like copier paper prices.

But Its paper that works with FP ink and thats important.

 

For those who find supersmooth paper too smooth, and prefer something with a bit of texture, this is a good alternative.

 

i will probably craft a few journals with this thin paper.

At 64g , I think I can pack in quite some pages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Amandaa]

I have this paper too b/c it was basically the only thing I could A5 that wasn't an arm and leg for shipping! I'm not the craziest about it, but I love really smooth paper.

[Maurizio]

Thanks for the nice review. Like you drawings and your "pen rest". Great idea, will have to look for a nice chopstick rest next time I'm in a local Japanese store

[dcwaites]

How does it compare to Kokuyo Campus Refill paper?

[mehandiratta]

Thank you for the review

[TMLee]

How does it compare to Kokuyo Campus Refill paper?

I don't think I have Campus Refill paper , so I don't know how it compares. Sorry.

 

I am quite certain that Campus paper is smooth , and this Business paper isn't that smooth.

[TMLee]

Thanks for the nice review. Like you drawings and your "pen rest". Great idea, will have to look for a nice chopstick rest next time I'm in a local Japanese store

Thank you for the review

Most welcome :-)

[mhguda]

Great review, and the paper sounds interesting. Will keep an eye out for a journal made of it. I'm always on the lookout for thin papers like that, but most seem not too FP friendly, so this is a real score. Well done!

[Drone]

The performance of this paper looks not too far from that of the Kokuyo/Campus punched A5 refills but with one main exception (besides no holes), it is white not cream-colored. The Kokuyo/Campus refills also may exhibit a bit less show-through as well, but that may be as much due to the color of the paper.

 

At this point I must inject a warning: Kokuyo has been buying up stationary companies in India and China and using them to produce Kokuyo branded products that are of inferior quality. It is hard to spot these products, make sure the product is labelled Made in Japan or at least that it specifically states it is a full Kokuyo product and some sort of Kokoyo-International brand. A good sign is the price, if you're paying less than you usually do for a familiar Kokuyo product, it may be from one of the non-Japanese manufacturers.

 

A 100-pack of Kokuyo/Campus A5 20-hole pre-punched refill paper (which can be lined, quadrille, dot or blank) costs me about $3.00-$4.00 USD a pack here in Indonesia over-the-counter. Victims in the U.S. will pay easily pay 2x to 3x more from the likes of Jetpens. A 500-pack of A5 at 800 JPY per pack comes to roughly $0.013/sheet. A 100-sheet pack of punched A5 at $3.50 per pack comes to $0.035 per sheet or roughly 2.7 times more per sheet than the 500-sheet pack.

 

Here's a link to the Kokuyo/Campus A5 refills on Jetpens (outrageous price!):

 

http://www.jetpens.com/search?q=Kokuyo+Campus+Loose+Leaf+Paper+-+Shikkari+-+A5+-+6+mm+Rule+-+20+Holes+-+100+Sheets&v=2

 

A lot depends on the shipping though. I buy mine over-the-counter, I presume you shipped yours. How much did it cost you to ship the 500-page pack of A5 paper? Where did you buy the paper?

 

You can hand-punch your blank A5 sheets with 20, 26, or 30 holes for (respectively) A5, B5, or A4 paper that will fit international sized binders (Kokuyo makes some very nice binders). The only somewhat affordable punch I have been able to find that is designed to do this is called a Carl Neo Gauge 26-Hole or 30-Hole Punch. Here's a link on Amazon for $26.48 (free CONUS shipping by USPS for orders over $35.00):

 

http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Gauge-26-Hole-30-Hole-Punch/dp/B005Q5Y4EW

 

Jetpens, (unsurprisingly) is about 70% more for the same thing (but CONUS shipping via USPS may be free):

 

http://www.jetpens.com/Carl-Neo-Gauge-26-Hole-or-30-Hole-Punches/ct/1600

 

As I understand it, if you want to use these punches for A5 paper, it will punch 22 holes, not 20 holes. But the extra two holes don't really matter. I have not tried these punches yet, but getting one is high on my list.

 

There's a brief thread about punch options like this here:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/155757-japanese-26-hole-paper-punch/

 

Before you punch the paper, you can print anything you want on them (lines, grids, dots, planner-pages, calendars, anything). I use an Epson printer that has a full duplex feeder (prints automatically on both sides). The full-duplex feeder is not necessary though, you can flip the paper stacks by hand if you are careful about how you do it. I use Epson because the ink is waterproof and stands up very well to fountain pen ink.

 

Thanks for the Review... David

Edited December 13, 2015 by Drone

[Newjelan]

Great review (& I love the sketches). I'm trying to avoid buying more paper but you're not helping.

[Ergative]

I've just discovered the 75gsm Kokuyo, and so went to see if anyone else has discussed it. For the record, the picture links are borken, but I think I've discovered the OP's relevant photobucket album where the pictures can still be seen. Here is the link to the Kokuyo album: https://app.photobucket.com/u/TMLee/a/2b9ba880-c45c-4fa9-b214-b577bc47f09a

[TMLee]

14 hours ago, Ergative said:

I've just discovered the 75gsm Kokuyo, and so went to see if anyone else has discussed it. For the record, the picture links are borken, but I think I've discovered the OP's relevant photobucket album where the pictures can still be seen. Here is the link to the Kokuyo album: https://app.photobucket.com/u/TMLee/a/2b9ba880-c45c-4fa9-b214-b577bc47f09a

thank you so much ….

The links are all broken 😩 

all my posts garbled 😩

[TMLee]

I highly recommend this KOKUYO  paper that is found in their range of SOFT RING notebooks…

 

https://www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Soft-Ring-Notebooks/ct/4946

 

the paper is really fantastic with inks.

 

and it’s super smooth, …..  for those who prefer /don’t prefer too smooth papers …

😁

 

and yes, the soft ring design , functionally,  really works as claimed !!! 
this just might be the answer to those of us who really find the traditional wire coil an annoying obstruction ….
 

Ps: I bought their SOFT RING 2021 monthly calendar in B6? Size and tore out enough of the memo pages (3.5mm grid) to craft into a mini journal , which becomes my Mini 355 range of journals. 
will post sometime soon … 

 

 

 

[Aelfattrum]

On 6/29/2021 at 5:31 AM, Ergative said:

I've just discovered the 75gsm Kokuyo, and so went to see if anyone else has discussed it. For the record, the picture links are borken, but I think I've discovered the OP's relevant photobucket album where the pictures can still be seen. Here is the link to the Kokuyo album: https://app.photobucket.com/u/TMLee/a/2b9ba880-c45c-4fa9-b214-b577bc47f09a

 

I just got some of the A4 Kokuyo Business Paper yesterday (I think on your recommendation, if I recall correctly), and am trying it out.

 

So far, I like the weight a lot, and also that I couldn't get it to feather no matter what I did (the Southworth 25% cotton, TreeZero bagasse both will feather with enough ink; and current HP 32 feathers if you look at it wrong).

[Ergative]

I'm glad you like it! After the discussion I ordered another 2 reams, so now I have close to 1500 A4 pages, just in case. 

 

I did manage to make it feather by using a broad-edged dip pen with no reservoir to try out some very wet fountain pen inks. But the inks were so wet that they slopped off the nib too fast to be useful anyway--so I had to put the paper into an unnatural, unusable writing situation before it feathered on me.#

 

This morning I'm doing Spencerian practice with a Zebra G dip nib and walnut ink. I'm doing the capitals, so big shades with wet ink, and the paper is still holding up like a champ.

[Aelfattrum]

13 hours ago, Ergative said:

 

I did manage to make it feather by using a broad-edged dip pen with no reservoir to try out some very wet fountain pen inks. But the inks were so wet that they slopped off the nib too fast to be useful anyway--so I had to put the paper into an unnatural, unusable writing situation before it feathered on me.#

 

Yeah, afterwards I realised that the "no feather" thing was the wrong thing to have said. The minor demiurges of fountain pen laughed upon my arrogance. For some reason, at least part of one of the pages of the Kokoyu in the commonplace book I assembled is showing massive feathering with a certain pen.  Not sure if sizing is uneven/inconsistent, or if it's reactive to skin oils and it just happens that that was a page I touched a lot in assembling the book or what.

[Ergative]

In my experience skin oils cause patchy ink, but not feathering. Probably inconsistent sizing. Pity about that.