Smooth As Glass Paper...

May 6, 2019

Smooth does not mean that the pen slides or glides across the page.

Yes Clairefontaine (and in a lesser extent Rhodia, same french company) are very smooth, when you run your thumb or finger over it.

But with many if not most nib/ink combinations, one has the feeling that the paper holds the pen from going forward. Line width is on the fine side.

--notebooks are ugly.

--both sides don't write the same. The second seems less coated.

Best is Tomoe. ++Sheen +shading+++feathering. No drag or resistance. -line spread.

Life noble is less smooth than Clairefontaine, with no drag or resistance. +sheen -line spread ---feathering with some inks.

Apica CD 15 is maybe the smoothest, but very sensitive to hand oil.

Midori MD has a toothy paper but the coating is so good that no drag or resistance is experienced. +sheen ++line width or spread. Second best overall paper. Best looking notebook .

Clairefontaine and Rhodia cost next to nothing here in Europe.

Tomoe can be bought from Amazon japan loose leafs or note book (SAKAE) at very reasonable price.

Or from Elianote (for non americans) or Nanami (for americans). Quite similar.

https://elianote.com

https://fountainpenlove.com/reviews/elia-note-notebook-review/

https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2019/2/8/elia-note-tomoe-river-journal-review

https://www.mountainofink.com/blog/elia-note-jourrnal

shipping is very reasonable ±20$ world wide From Malaisia.

Or Kokuyo Idea from Rakuten

etc...

David.

Edited May 6, 2019 by inkking

May 7, 2019

Smooth does not mean that the pen slides or glides across the page.
Yes Clairefontaine (and in a lesser extent Rhodia, same french company) are very smooth, when you run your thumb or finger over it.
But with many if not most nib/ink combinations, one has the feeling that the paper holds the pen from going forward. Line width is on the fine side.
--notebooks are ugly.
--both sides don't write the same. The second seems less coated.

Best is Tomoe. ++Sheen +shading+++feathering. No drag or resistance. -line spread.

Life noble is less smooth than Clairefontaine, with no drag or resistance. +sheen -line spread ---feathering with some inks.

Apica CD 15 is maybe the smoothest, but very sensitive to hand oil.

Midori MD has a toothy paper but the coating is so good that no drag or resistance is experienced. +sheen ++line width or spread. Second best overall paper. Best looking notebook .

Clairefontaine and Rhodia cost next to nothing here in Europe.

Tomoe can be bought from Amazon japan loose leafs or note book (SAKAE) at very reasonable price.
Or from Elianote (for non americans) or Nanami (for americans). Quite similar.
https://elianote.com
https://fountainpenlove.com/reviews/elia-note-notebook-review/
https://www.penaddict.com/blog/2019/2/8/elia-note-tomoe-river-journal-review
https://www.mountainofink.com/blog/elia-note-jourrnal
shipping is very reasonable ±20$ world wide From Malaisia.
Or Kokuyo Idea from Rakuten
etc...
David.

What is the weight of Midori MD paper please? Is it very thin like Tomoe?

May 7, 2019

The paper is 80gr/Sqm

Notebooks weight is 260grs

Edited May 7, 2019 by inkking

May 7, 2019

The paper is 80gr/Sqm
Notebooks weight is 260grs

Thank you, that's perfect. I will be placing an order soon. As much as I like TR to write on, I find the paper too thin for my taste.

July 25, 2019

Rhodia premium is by far the smoothest paper in my collection. It has a very luxurious feel and is certainly worth a try!

Has good weight too!

Edited July 25, 2019 by rlb

August 4, 2019

Rhodia, I have several types of pads, spiral bound blocks and a web notebook. And I am not really impressed by it. Very inconsistent behavior between the different types, and also the rear side of the paper behaves rather differently. However, I noticed that if I rub the surface with a dry, clean microfiber cloth before writing, it writes more evenly en also accepts the ink better, getting a cleaner, more saturated line.

The paper in the web notebook is horrible. Pens squeak a lot when I write in it, and pen drag is much more severe than with any other paper.

Tomoe gawa and Midory might be better, but.... these papers cost 5 times as much as Rhodia . However, I think I should try it at least once....

August 8, 2019

clairefontaine. Much smoother than Tomoe, and for this reason, utterly useless for me

August 10, 2019

Tomoe River, either 52 or 68 gsm (very light or light).

I am on this bandwagon especially with the 52 gsm; mmmm, mmmm, mm. Another reason I like Tomoe River paper is how it performs when watercolored upon . . . . the crinkle is the business.

August 10, 2019

Tomoe gawa and Midory might be better, but.... these papers cost 5 times as much as Rhodia . However, I think I should try it at least once....

Yes, I implore you to give it a try; especially the 52 gsm (well, that is my personal fave). One of my current journals is a Tekukor B6 and it was very inexpensive (and I am a bargain gal, let me tell you). Maaaan, if they came out with an A4 I would jump on it.

August 15, 2019

Tomoe River 52gsm

Clairefontaine Triomphe (slightly smoother than the Vellum)
Fuji Xerox Colotech Silk 210gsm

October 28, 2019

I'm really curious about this... I'd like to hear from everyone using the TR 52gsm notebooks, do you write on both sides of the pages? Its a fantastic paper but I find the show through disturbing... And that's the reason for my preferring the 68gsm.

October 28, 2019

If you want to try the different papers without having to buy a whole notebook, I recommend going to fountainpenlove.com and clicking on the Shop! tab in the upper right corner. John Bosley, who runs that website, will make up sample packs from many different sources for you to try, for $16US. A great deal!